LPN/ADN, was it by your choice or how did you decide?

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hello everyone!!!

[color=#ff8c00]after reading several of our postings, many times i am wondering if we are in the programs by our own choice or if it were because we couldn't make it to one program or another. if you did choose the lpn program, what made you decide to start here vs. the adn or jumping right into the bsn? i see on several posts they have lpn to adn to bsn. each of ours is an entirely different program. however there are bridges or 2+2 programs for links to the other.

[color=#ff8c00]in my area the lpn is handled (only) at a technical school and not at the universities. i see on some of the postings that many of us have an option to take the lpn boards after our first year (if i read that right) is this in most areas, or just selective states?? that would be great to take the lpn boards and be a "nurse" before becoming an actual rn. i find it interesting as i read to find out how each program is so different yet somewhat similar. the courses seem so entirely different, right down to even the pre-reqs.

[color=#ff8c00]for my nursing program the pre-reqs were basic chemistry, basic biology, writing i and/or writing ii and algebra. after taking those, along with your nln test score (and of course the gpa) you could apply to the adn program. submitting with your application an essay of "why i want to be a nurse."

[color=#ff8c00]also, i find it amazing at the added fees we have. we are responsible for our own costs. my books are going to range from 600-758 dollars for the first term, what about yours? we have a liablity insurance to purchase, uniforms (one at 70.00) lab coat, steth, bp cuff, scissors omgoodness the list goes on. i guess before i got my packet i basically was "dreaming" this would all be included into my tuition?? :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: the honor of becoming a nurse!!!! is worth it though, doncha think?

[color=#ff8c00]i was just curious to finding out what all of your "what if's" and how many things each of us had in common or different.

[color=#ff8c00]thanks for sharing!!!!

good luck to us all!!!!

t

Julielpn - thanks for your kind words, and also I wanted to let you know that a couple of weeks ago I saw your saying:

If God brings you to it, He'll bring you through it.

That was the first time I had read that saying, and it stuck with me for some reason. Now when I start stressing about starting clinicals in the fall, I think of this saying. I will also be writing it inside my Bible for motivation in the future. THANKS!

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You're welcome. :)

And God is the one who can bring us through. He helps me thru many trials, and I believe he will get me through nursing school too! We can do this....all of it!

Bless you and take care! :)

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Specializes in Geriatrics, DD, Peri-op.

Ya'll are going to make me cry...so emotional. :chuckle

Seriously, yes...I,too, feel like God has put this opportunity to go back for ADN in my path. I am running with it and ain't asking no questions.

I would love to be a nurse practioner some day and go to Africa (or another 3 world country) and use my skills. It would all for Him. :) If He wills it, I will. :)

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Ya'll are going to make me cry...so emotional. :chuckle

Seriously, yes...I,too, feel like God has put this opportunity to go back for ADN in my path. I am running with it and ain't asking no questions.

I would love to be a nurse practioner some day and go to Africa (or another 3 world country) and use my skills. It would all for Him. :) If He wills it, I will. :)

Awww....geez Michelle.....didn't know I could express myself so eloquently though words! :rolleyes:

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Ya'll are going to make me cry...so emotional. :chuckle

Seriously, yes...I,too, feel like God has put this opportunity to go back for ADN in my path. I am running with it and ain't asking no questions.

I would love to be a nurse practioner some day and go to Africa (or another 3 world country) and use my skills. It would all for Him. :) If He wills it, I will. :)

Africa? Wouldn't that be an adventure! To be a missionary...I wouldn't know where to begin, but it sure sounds great to me too!

And i wish you the very best of luck...I know you can do it!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
Why don't people ask RN's if they're going to go all the way to their masters', or JUST be an RN? Can you tell I'm getting bitter?? I guess I'd better stop, I'm getting madder by the minute.

Actually... they do ; ) Although probably not to the same degree as you're experiencing. Where I'm at there's a lot of pressure to go on for the BSN (which works out fine for me because that's my goal) but the director of our program also made it clear that she expects us to move up, up, up to our Master's. Your post indicates that you've put a lot of thought into why you're going the route you are and, to be honest, it makes absolutely perfect sense to me. Go girl.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
Julielpn - thanks for your kind words, and also I wanted to let you know that a couple of weeks ago I saw your saying:

If God brings you to it, He'll bring you through it.

There's a thread here about writing your graduation date down everywhere for inspiration. I liked that idea, but I love this quote even more. This is what I'm going to write down everywhere! Thanks for sharing.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Hi. This is an interesting thread. Personally, my choice to be an LPN first is based on a couple of factors. :rolleyes: Mainly the need for money ASAP, but also my respect for LPNs. My mother, 2 aunts, biological sister, and two cousins are all LPNs. I respect their work, and while my mom was going to go on to her RN last year before she seriously hurt herself and had to get shoulder surgery, she was a first class nurse even as an LPN. I believe LPNs are underappreciated and I strongly feel their craft is seen as secondary to RNs. While I do plan to get my RN in the next couple of years, it is important that I work as an LPN so that I can truly understand and fully know what it is like to be an LPN, even when I am an RN.

Another great reason? The program I applied to is subsidized by the state, which is a bonus for me, because of the tight financial situation I am in, and it is only a year long.

:) LPN salaries aren't WONDERFUL, but the pay is sufficient to get my family in a much better economical situation than we are in now. I can work as an LPN as I pursue my ADN, and gain nursing experience while I am at it.

Lastly, I did not have all my pre-reqs done for the RN program at my local CC. I would have to finish those courses and then apply. The waiting list is three years long. That's four years total I just don't have. :o

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Cardiac, Med-Surg.

I decided to apply to an ADN program as a first choice. I knew that I wanted to become an RN for the expanded job opportunities as well as better pay. I did consider applying to an LPN program if I did not get into the ADN program. I may still take my LPN boards after I complete 2-3 semesters. I will decide when the time comes.

I also plan on going on for both my BSN and my MSN - possibly in a combined accelerated program. My future employer will help pay for these degrees, and is, in fact, paying my tuition for my ADN.

As a side note: I have tremendous respect for nurses of all scopes of practice. My mom is an RN. My sister in law and mother in law are both LPNs. Keep it in the family, I say.

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hi. this is an interesting thread. personally, my choice to be an lpn first is based on a couple of factors. :rolleyes: mainly the need for money asap, but also my respect for lpns. my mother, 2 aunts, biological sister, and two cousins are all lpns. i respect their work, and while my mom was going to go on to her rn last year before she seriously hurt herself and had to get shoulder surgery, she was a first class nurse even as an lpn. i believe lpns are underappreciated and i strongly feel their craft is seen as secondary to rns. while i do plan to get my rn in the next couple of years, it is important that i work as an lpn so that i can truly understand and fully know what it is like to be an lpn, even when i am an rn.

another great reason? the program i applied to is subsidized by the state, which is a bonus for me, because of the tight financial situation i am in, and it is only a year long.

:) lpn salaries aren't wonderful, but the pay is sufficient to get my family in a much better economical situation than we are in now. i can work as an lpn as i pursue my adn, and gain nursing experience while i am at it.

lastly, i did not have all my pre-reqs done for the rn program at my local cc. i would have to finish those courses and then apply. the waiting list is three years long. that's four years total i just don't have. :o

great point of view kiyasmom!!! i love all of these posts, its interesting to know about our choices vs. settling for something lesser until we can gain the better rather than just "give up" if we don't succeed. afterall, success wouldn't be known if we didn't have the lesser to compare. good luck to all of us!!!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, DD, Peri-op.
While I do plan to get my RN in the next couple of years, it is important that I work as an LPN so that I can truly understand and fully know what it is like to be an LPN, even when I am an RN.

Exactly, kiyasmom...that's why I wanted to "work my way up, too". IMO, it just makes a better nurse. :)

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I am currently an STNA and start my ADN on Sept 20th. I tried to get into an LPN program at a vocational school, however my math tests scores were not high enough. So, I have been going to my college now for a year taking all my pre-reqs etc.(After I took my dosage calc class and got a B+, I wanted to take it right over to the vocational school let me tell ya!) I want to go as far as I am able to in my career though. I feel that being an RN has more oppurtunities and farther routes to explore. Ya never know one day I may even be an NP, however I'll probably be in my 50's by the time that happens. However, its never too late for anything! I am married and have two boys ages 5 and 22 months and another son on the way! I am going to be induced on Sept 24th after my first clinical. So, I'll just be praying for the strength and sanity to successfully complete the next two years!

P.S. In ohio we can't take the LPN boards after one year of our ADN program or else I would.

Julee :)

Good luck to all of us!!!!!!!!1

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