Rn- Lpn School Comparison

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm 44 yoa and plan to change careers. I have no background in medical or health care.I am reasonably intelligent but I will be starting on the ground floor.My goal is to become an RN. I've been told that RN school(2yr) would be too fast paced for someone with my background or lack therof and I would be better off starting at LPN. My question is How much more difficult is RN vs LPN school? or is it? and could you elaborate on the differences. Thanks

Specializes in SICU.

If you want to be an RN, go to an RN school. There are students in both the ASN and BSN programs that have no medical experience that graduate all the time. Good luck in whatever you chose to do.

I was 54 when I graduated from RN school and also had zilch experience. If I had to do it over again, I would have done LPN. Less schooling and less responsibility. I met another RN that had been an LPN for how long I don't remember, but she regretted ever getting her RN license.

Something to think about.

Hi. I'm not sure how RN school is but I just recently graduated from LPN school. I was 33 when I started and it took me a year of full time schooling. Honestly, I feel I was taught so much through the LPN program. They focus not only on the medical information that you need to know but also on the skills. (Granted you go to a good school.) I still plan to go on to RN but can transition in smoother knowing what I do. I will tell you that the school I did go to was very fast paced. There is alot of information that you cover and just because you aren't going for your RN doesn't mean it will be left out. It was a very hard year with alot of studying but I would do it over again in a heartbeat. If you love working with people and have the dedication and compassion necessary, I feel you will find being a nurse can be very fulfilling. Good Luck in whatever you decide. My advice is if this is something you want.... Go For It! :nurse:

Specializes in Pediatrics (Burn ICU, CVICU).
I'm 44 yoa and plan to change careers. I have no background in medical or health care.I am reasonably intelligent but I will be starting on the ground floor.My goal is to become an RN. I've been told that RN school(2yr) would be too fast paced for someone with my background or lack therof and I would be better off starting at LPN. My question is How much more difficult is RN vs LPN school? or is it? and could you elaborate on the differences. Thanks

You have waited to long for this to sell yourself short now (not meaning that going to LPN school is selling yourself short, but not doing what you really want to do is). Both RN's and LPN's can make great nurses and both schools are hard.

I'm an RN that graduated in May and there were MANY people in my class that were your age or older that had no experience in the medical field. These people did great because they knew they had to work hard and diligently. Plus, not having medical experience is not necessarily a bad thing because you pretty much have to relearn everything anyway the "nursing school way".

If an RN is what you want, go for it!

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I'm an LVN and have no regrets for the career track that I selected.

However, pursue your RN license if you have time on your hands. Being an RN will open more career opportunities.

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