big decision..lpn or rn...need your advice!!

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hey everyone..

the provost from the nursing school that I'm applying to called today to let me know that my gpa isn't high enough to get into the RN program. I went to a 4yr school and partied too much so it was extremely low but I've been at this CC for a year and have made very good grades and thought that i had pulled it up enough. I'm really let down but it's somethin I gotta deal with. Anyway...she asked if I wanted to be considered for the LPN program and I told her yes but I'm not so sure. I know that I can do the LPN-RN mobility program and that I'll be working sooner, but I really really want the RN degree. My school doesn't admit another RN class until NEXT fall, so I'm looking into another CC around here that admits an RN class in January AND if I'm not mistaken I think that their GPA requirement is lower so it wouldn't be much of a problem. HELP!! What do you guys think I should do? Any insight or advice would help a lot. Thanks in advance.

JimmyMallo

73 Posts

If it were me, and this is only my opinion, I would look around for another RN program and get your ADN somewhere. I say this not as a shot at lpn's but because I work with so many lpn's at my hospital who make less money to do the same job. At least at my hospital you have to be agency to make a good living as an lpn, and half of the lpn's I know want to get into a bridge program but they bought cars and better apartments etc. when they graduated and now can't afford to take time off to go back to school, not to mention that now they make just enough not to be able to get student financial aid. BTW the lpn's I work with are some of the best nurses I have met regardless of title, and they all wish they had just gone to RN school.

just my 2¢

dixienurse2be

148 Posts

thank you! I was thinking along those same lines. Just so many things runnin through my head right now I wanted to hear someone else's opinion...I'm looking into a few more schools in my area that have RN programs and hopefully I can start them at the beginning of next year.

IamRN

303 Posts

I second sticking w/your RN goal.

I work (and have worked) w/some awesome LVN's and it just breaks my heart that their are not compensated the same as RN's, especially since they do just about the same job. I am always happy to hear when they do become RNs!

lisamc1RN, LPN

943 Posts

Specializes in LTC/Behavioral/ Hospice.

It depends on your wants and needs. :) If you can afford to wait 'til January, assuming you will be accepted to the RN program then, then I would definitely go for it. If you think that there is a chance of not getting in right away, why not consider the LPN, and do a bridge program immediately following? In any case, I wouldn't take the LPN route out of the running just yet until you know what your chances for admission are at other cc's. Good luck! :)

lisamc1RN, LPN

943 Posts

Specializes in LTC/Behavioral/ Hospice.

It depends on your wants and needs. :) If you can afford to wait 'til January, assuming you will be accepted to the RN program then, then I would definitely go for it. If you think that there is a chance of not getting in right away, why not consider the LPN, and do a bridge program immediately following? In any case, I wouldn't take the LPN route out of the running just yet until you know what your chances for admission are at other cc's. Good luck! :)

allthingsbright

1,569 Posts

Specializes in LDRP.

i had to decide at one point to go with an lpn program then transfer to rn, or sit on the ADN program waiting list-i stuck with RN and got all my pre-reqs, and co-reqs out of the way-which boosted my gpa as well. i finally got accepted into the fall program two years after my acceptance into the lpn program, and it has been so worth the wait. i am doing what i WANT to do, and i've worked very hard to make my attempt at nursing school successful.

so, thats my experience. you'll do the right thing-just go with your gut! :p

allthingsbright

1,569 Posts

Specializes in LDRP.

i had to decide at one point to go with an lpn program then transfer to rn, or sit on the ADN program waiting list-i stuck with RN and got all my pre-reqs, and co-reqs out of the way-which boosted my gpa as well. i finally got accepted into the fall program two years after my acceptance into the lpn program, and it has been so worth the wait. i am doing what i WANT to do, and i've worked very hard to make my attempt at nursing school successful.

so, thats my experience. you'll do the right thing-just go with your gut! :p

Saved_by_Grace

337 Posts

At my cc you are required to do the lpn first....weird how every school is so different! Good luck!:)

Saved_by_Grace

337 Posts

At my cc you are required to do the lpn first....weird how every school is so different! Good luck!:)

DeanG

97 Posts

I applied to two nursing schools, one near bye, one not so near. I got accepted to the one not so near and my acceptance letter came in May. I called the school and told them I wouldn' t know if I got in to the other school untill July 1st, they held my spot for me. Luckily I did get in to the school that is 5 minutes from my house and I did inform the other school to give some one else my spot. The point of all this is do both, try to get in as many places and in programs as you can. This way if you don't get in to any RN programs, the LPN program is there for you. Just a suggestion. Good luck!

DeanG

97 Posts

I applied to two nursing schools, one near bye, one not so near. I got accepted to the one not so near and my acceptance letter came in May. I called the school and told them I wouldn' t know if I got in to the other school untill July 1st, they held my spot for me. Luckily I did get in to the school that is 5 minutes from my house and I did inform the other school to give some one else my spot. The point of all this is do both, try to get in as many places and in programs as you can. This way if you don't get in to any RN programs, the LPN program is there for you. Just a suggestion. Good luck!

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