Undecided LPN/RN?

Nurses General Nursing

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I'm really torn on which path to take right now, LPN or RN? We had this discussion yesterday in our CNA class and a lot of us are undecided on which path to take. The RN program at our college has 4 pre-req classes as the LPN has no pre-req classes there is a waiting list for both programs. LPN is only 3 semesters as the RN is 6 semesters.

What advice would you give someone who is torn/undecided btwn the two?

How did you make the decisions btwn the two?

My big fear is if I do go ahead with the LPN program will I continue on to finish my RN year? At the college here they have a semester where you would spend taking a transition into the ADN program & of course you would have to take the pre-reqs for that also.

Thanks for any advice or thoughts given!

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I'm an LPN. My advice is if you have the opportunity go directly for the RN. You will have many more opportunities and not have to deal with a lot of baloney. If you can get by financially for the extra time it takes to do the RN program without the LPN step in between that's the way to go.

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I'm an LPN also - a new LPN. This is a second career for me so I have a few years under my belt. I didn't have any desire to be a nurse early on, I have had a highly successful career and decided nursing would be a great transition. I don't know how old you are, but I would tell anyone that has the strong desire to get into nursing to go straight for the RN, preferably BSN. I wanted to make sure this was really what I wanted to do, that's why I got my LPN. Hindsight is 20/20, had I known then what I know now I would have just gone straight for my BSN. At least I will have a good foundation for my RN classes, and I plan to work while I get my prereqs done. Go for your RN if nursing is your calling! Good luck!

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Specializes in Ltc, Hospice, Spinal Cord.

RN for sure... far more opportunities. And BSN if you can swing it. Good Luck!

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Specializes in Hospice.

RN without a doubt

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

There are far more job opportunities if you have your RN compared to LPN. In the area that I live in most hospitals do not hire many LPN's. The pay is significantly higher with your RN but you have to keep in mind the responsibility is significantly higher with your RN, thus one of the reason RN's are paid so much more.

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I'm an LPN also - a new LPN. This is a second career for me so I have a few years under my belt. I didn't have any desire to be a nurse early on, I have had a highly successful career and decided nursing would be a great transition. I don't know how old you are, but I would tell anyone that has the strong desire to get into nursing to go straight for the RN, preferably BSN. I wanted to make sure this was really what I wanted to do, that's why I got my LPN. Hindsight is 20/20, had I known then what I know now I would have just gone straight for my BSN. At least I will have a good foundation for my RN classes, and I plan to work while I get my prereqs done. Go for your RN if nursing is your calling! Good luck!

Thanks!! I'm a soon to be 24 year old. I had always known that I wanted to go straight for the RN but after being in my CNA course everyone kept saying how great it would be to go for the LPN it was just one year so i've really been debating btwn the two but thanks for your input it's great to hear that from actual LPN's that if you have the desire to go straight for the RN.

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I did LPN and it took me 10 years to go back for my RN....go for the RN if you can!

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RN license will give you far more opportunities. Get it done now and avoid the possibility of getting stuck in a rut. Lots of people get their LPN license with the thought of moving forward, then life gets in the way.

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Specializes in ER, ICU, SICU,(Critical Care).

Hi. I am new to allnurses, but I felt the need to respond to your question. I am an LPN. When I was in LPN school, my plan was to go to LPN school, the work as an lpn while I continued on to RN school. When I got out, I found that it was harder, at least for me, to "get back in the grind" of school while I was exploring and learning "how to be a nurse after school. That was 30 years ago.........and while I have enjoyed my LPN career, I would have had a much more fulfilling career as an RN. I have tried to go back to school to advance to RN twice. It was harder top deal with the "Theory and practice is the same" attitude of the school, while I knew as an "old salt" that this is not always the case. But what ever the reason, especially if you are of the "before thirty" age group, GO TO RN SCHOOL! I have been a travel nurse and worked in the Virgin Islands for seven years, and have had opportunities as an LPN, but nothing like I would have had as an RN.

As a sideline, and not meaning to start a new thread, but what is the general opinion of a 60 year old male nurse with 30 years ER,and critical care experience going back to school? Wasting my time at this late in the career?

"You can't control the wind, but you can adjust the sails"

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RN license will give you far more opportunities. Get it done now and avoid the possibility of getting stuck in a rut. Lots of people get their LPN license with the thought of moving forward, then life gets in the way.

Exactly what happened to me :nurse:....I am an LPN who planned to be an RN someday.

I am still an LPN and yes...life does get in the way. If your truly compassionate about being a nurse, go for your RN!

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Specializes in Pshych; LTC.
I'm really torn on which path to take right now, LPN or RN? We had this discussion yesterday in our CNA class and a lot of us are undecided on which path to take. The RN program at our college has 4 pre-req classes as the LPN has no pre-req classes there is a waiting list for both programs. LPN is only 3 semesters as the RN is 6 semesters.

What advice would you give someone who is torn/undecided btwn the two?

How did you make the decisions btwn the two?

My big fear is if I do go ahead with the LPN program will I continue on to finish my RN year? At the college here they have a semester where you would spend taking a transition into the ADN program & of course you would have to take the pre-reqs for that also.

Thanks for any advice or thoughts given!

How ironic is this? I am (was) going through the same decision process. I thought about becoming an LPN then bridging over to RN but....the college I am going to does not offer LPN, only RN. I would have to go to technical college and pursue a "DIPLOMA". Then found out that their core classes were in most cases "not transferable" to an RN program. So my recommendation is to pursue the RN degree. Yes, it may be a little tougher but in the long run it will be well worth it. Have you considered RODP (online classes) or checked into other area schools for their nursing programs?

My wanting to become an LPN first was to get my foot in the door and get some experience since I have been out of the work force for 10 years. I was assured that if I do volunteer work, especially if it pertains to volunteering in a nursing home one or two days a week, or some type of medical setting...It would go a long way in helping to land a job. First it shows you are really serious about your career choice. Second, it gives you some experience. Third, If you have proven yourself to be dependable and hard working (with whatever you are doing) you will be able to get recommendations from the staff to add to your resume.

GOOD LUCK!

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