Undecided Student

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 12, 2003

A person can become an RN (Registered Nurse) by getting either an Associate's Degree (2 years -- sometimes a little more), a 3-year diploma from a hospital, or a 4-year Bachelor's Degree.

A person can become an LPN by taking a program that lasts about 18 months.

Because of their higher level of education, RN's are given more responsibility and make a lot more money.

LPN's work under the direction of an RN in most cases. (In a clinic or office without an RN present, the LPN may work under the physician's supervision.)

llg

Love-A-Nurse · Mar 12, 2003

i would suggest to consider the options why you decided to seek nursing as a career, compare the two routes with the asking of questions from your schools program director, ask for a catalog and read about it, and go from there.

i started as a nursing assistant, now an lpn, and in rn school at present.

what ever you decide, i do wish you all the best.

justjenn · Mar 13, 2003

Hi - IF, IF you really know that being a nurse is what you want to do and you don't mind the time and can afford to be in school, I would go for the RN.

Myself, LPN. I had to be honest w/myself (plus what program I was accepted in). I am 32 (soon to be 33 in April UGH!), cannot afford to be out of work, (I am quitting my job as a paralegal in Aug. when I go to school full time), and the main reason, I don't know if I will like it or be suited for it. I think I will. I hope I will. I pray I will. :confused: LPN is 1 yr. less than RN in my state. So, if I discover that it is not for me (which I doubt), it will be 1 year as oppose to 2.

My problem is I can talk myself into anything (I am very convincing) :chuckle . Medical Lab. Tech I think I would enjoy, hands down. I have toyed w/ the idea of becoming an LPN & get my AD as a MLT. But, even as a little girl, I wanted to be a nurse. (also cruise director and flight attendant).:chuckle

I want to work in hospice or LTC. And that is not an easy area, but I want to try.

Good luck to you. And I hope I have been some help/;) Jenn

GraceyB · Mar 14, 2003

Thank you for your responses. I have decided to go into LPN, first. Money does not allow me to RN right now. The LPN program takes three semesters - minus the chem pre-requisites. Now I just have questions on my gitters! I am happy and thrilled to be going to school, I am afraid that I am not going to 'get it', stick a patient with a needle the wrong way and give speeches. Clinicals are in the very first semester! I thought I would get to learn first. LOL I'm a shambles. LOL I am sure that all these things are general feelings going around. I wanted to know if any of you had to give speeches/presentations in your classes. This is the death of me.

justjenn · Mar 14, 2003

I got my letter 3 weeks ago and my stomach has not stopped giving me trouble. Nervous but happy. Scared but excited.

If your school is like mine, you start your actual clinical in the later part of the semester.

As for your other question, I'm not in the program yet (but sitting on pins and needles waiting). But trust me, the nerves are all part of it.

Good luck! Are you going to have to wear a cap? We are. I am tickled about that.

GraceyB · Mar 14, 2003

Yet! I am not sure if we caps but all the pictures with the nursing students I've seen do not have a cap in the much. I'll to wear one at least for graducation. LOL. Thank you so much for letting me know that I am not the only one with the gitters and stomach issues. One day at a time and we are not the only ones feeling this way. Let's keep in touch as we go through this. SUPPORT!

justjenn · Mar 15, 2003

Yes, Lets! Isn't it great! To think that we are on the brink of changing our whole lives. And even though we will have to deal w/ mad patients, be leary of some nurses that we work w/ and doctors that have an attitude, we WILL make a difference in peoples lives.

I am used to working w/ attorney's & judges, so putting up w/ some of the crap doctors dish out will not be too bad. Also, I always will have a client who is always dissatisfied, so the patient thing will not bother me. My biggest fear is dealing with the other people. In a small town like I live in (hating it everyday), the law offices are filled with gossiping, backstabbing women. (and people think yankees are backstabbers, HA!). I really do not want to work around a bunch of nurses, cna's, lpn's that talk bad about others. It is the reality I fear. Wherever we work, that is most likely going to be the case. After reading some of the posts here, it only confirms my fears. But, I plan to stay out of that.

There is talk about the students not having to wear caps in the fall, due to hygeine (did I spell that right?). If I have to, I will buy 3 or 4 to make sure that I can always wear a clean one. It really means a lot to me to wear one. And I know the majority of nurses do not like it. Their reasons are vaild too, I just want to for me.

Do you ever visit the LPN thread-thingy here? It's really interesting. What classes are you taking in the summer? I am going to be taking A & P 1. My stomach has calm down recently, which is good. On Tuesday, I have to go to a Nursing Session at the college that I will go to for RN in 2004 (graduate in July 04 - into RN in Aug. 04). Than on the 24th, I go to another school to register for my A & P 1. THAN on 4/4, I go to the school that I will be attending for LPN for orientation/registration. In total, I will be attending 3 different colleges. WOW!

Well, keep me posted on whats going on w/ you & I will do the same. We can compare notes.:)

Flynurse · Mar 15, 2003

I can't tell you what you should do...but this is what happened to me.

I applied for the RN program at the school I went to. I passed ALL pre-requisite classes I needed except for one, which I failed twice. Since I was running out of time to get a degree I talked to the head of the dept who agreed with me that it would be best to start with my LPN program, then work my way up.

I'm glad I did it this way. I have started from CNA to Medication Aide to LPN and now I'm working on my RN....Its like climbing your own ladder to success!!! There is no place to stop until I say when.

GraceyB · Mar 15, 2003

I decided to go for my LPN first. Application in the mail! In browsing through the college's website I saw that they had a continuing education section that has a CNA course. I applied to that as well since it starts on MONDAY! and goes through to the end of May. I hope that the CNA class comes through as I need to work soon. Laid off in January and need to work before my brain turns into mush. This is how I got into the nursing career idea in the first place. I'm also hoping that I can start my pre-requisites in SUM 03. Colleges are so complicated sometimes. I think that I can only start the LPN program in the Spring.

SingingNurse2 · Mar 15, 2003

Good luck to you Gracey! I know you're excited!

GraceyB · Mar 16, 2003

I am super excited about this whole career change. I got an email from the school regarding the CNA program. It has been postponed until April 28th and it was supposed to start on 3/17. I do need to go in for an interview and a test on Friday the 21st. I hope that everythig goes well. Wish me luck!