Get my adn or lpn? Newbie here

[AutumnFutureNurse]

Hello nurses and future nurses..... So I am here finally posting after lurking the boards for quite some time now..... Ahhhhh! Feels great anyways!

I am dealing with a huge toss up between going to LPN school (12 mo. 29,850) in my area or just get my ADN (24 mo. Unsure of the cost) but I am sure it's less than almost 30G's. I am almost certain I just want to get my ADN and go on to get my BSN after working for sometime as a RN with a ADN. My questions are below:

1. Would a RN with a ADN get jobs as a LPN before a "LPN" if I chose to go that route? Just so I am atleast able to work while trying to obtain my BSN? (as I hear ADN's are being phased away)

2. Can you get your BSN without getting your ADN 1st? Or do you automatically recieve that after 2 years of school?

A LITTLE ABOUT MY BACKGROUND:

I started out as a home health aide at 18 and did that up until around 20 I focused my work around working with TBI & SCI patients in group home settings as well as doing private home care on the side. At 21 I registered for a accelerated C.M.A program & recieved my certification as a Certified Medical Assistant in August of 2016. As of now I am working for a big organization with over 5 speciality doctors.... So I am ready to further my education :) it's been 6 months since I graduated & I want to be enrolled in a program for the spring of 2017 I am currently 23 y/o btw ☺👋

[ICU_UcMe, BSN, RN]

I got into the nursing school at my university the first time I applied so don't freak out over wait lists unless you aren't a good student. I also had to apply in like April or May to get in for the following January so no way you could get into one right now unless it's a scam school. If it's for-profit, stay away. That's my advice, and you can take it or leave it. FYI, a BSN at my school didn't even cost that much.

[Dlansey]

You guys have all seriously been so helpful Lol... I know what I want to do now... But I really like the sound of the bsn program and being offered lpn once so much has been finished! That is awesome.... I have no pre reqs though but plan on going on online for some. Typically how many classes do I need before applying? And will I get points for my previous medical background?

It will take me about 2 years (including 2 summers) to get all of my prerequisites completed for the BSN program I want to attend. Since usually you need all your general education requirements completed + the prerequisites classes to get into a program. Then you need to most like have a competitive GPA and entrance exam if your school requires that. Being a CMA will probably not give you any points but it may help you to write a compelling personal statement on why you want to be a nurse...

[Guest957596]

No, LPN would not be better if you want to be an RN. You are delaying acheiving your goal and incurring more cost. Don't let your eagerness/impatience cause you to make a bad decision.

[NeoNatMom]

30 k to be an LPN is way too much. With all my non-nursing courses completed, Chamberlain, a private for profit school, will cost 50k, and that's for a BSN in a 2 year program. 30 for LPN school just seems too high.

I'd definitely choose the ADN over LPN if you're already at the point to apply for it. Its only slightly longer duration but yoUllman be an RN.

Best of luck to you!

[NeoNatMom]

You can get your ADN and bridge to a BSN or just go straight for your BSN. what makes an ADN more attractive to students most of the time is that you get on the floor about a year sooner. Once you've got a contract with a hospital, they typically will help you with tuition to bridge so your not only earning like an RN earlier, you're not paying hardly as much (if at all) for your BSN once you bridge.

[registered.nobody]

In my state LPN's are almost completely obsolete in all but the nursing home settings, and I understand that many states are taking this route as well. Unless you are interested in working in a nursing home/skilled living facility, I highly recommend going the BSN route. Gives you better options for specialty and better pay.

[mrsfoster601]

I don't know why people keep saying that in so many words that many states are not using LPN's that's a lie I have been to many different states no problem getting a job I mean what world yall living in because that is absolutely not true

[tjcnurse2b]

(ADN's have been "phasing out" for at least 30 years now. Don't believe everything you hear.)

Don't believe this. They need nurses everywhere and a ADN will get a job just as fast as a BSN. 30 years. If true it's the slowest phase out in the 4.6 billion years of earths existence. Dinosaurs phased out faster. Totally subjective comment.

[Apple-Core, ASN, BSN, RN]

I would suggest looking into your local community colleges. Many CC's are now starting to offer ADN degree courses that run concurrently with a BSN degree. Furthermore, they are a lot more affordable that the programs you mentioned. $30K for an LPN program is outrageous. What state are you in?

[Psych77]

My first job, after graduating with my ADN, was technically an LPN position at a home health agency. The pay was LPN wage, but they hired RNs ( I assume they really needed people). The reason I did that was because it was hard to get a job, so I wanted to get some experience while I continued to apply. It paid off, and after 2 months I got an offer for an RN job that paid I think 10 dollars more an hour.

[SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP]

Go the ADN route. Run away from an LPN program that charges nearly $30K, that's ridiculous. $9K for the ADN at a community college is a great bargain. If ADNs are getting hired in your area (most do, especially if you start working towards your BSN right away), then the ADN route is what you want to do.

Many programs use a point based admissions system to admit their nursing school applicants. I'd suggest speaking with an advisor from the ADN program and find out if you need to start now on your pre-reqs and have them completed before applying to the nursing program. Some do give "bonus" points if you already have your CNA, MA or phlebotomy license. Only your admissions advisor will be able to give you the exact details of your program's requirements.

FWIW, I was accepted at both an ADN program and a BSN program. I chose to do the ADN program based on their solid reputation, affordable tuition rate and I was able to graduate in 2 years and start working as an RN immediately, instead of needing 4 years to complete the BSN first. I was able to complete my RN-to-BSN program in 9 months since I took courses towards earning the BSN during the summer breaks from my ADN program. I'm glad I went the ADN route because I graduated with no debt (the BSN would have been over $40K) and I was hired before I even graduated from my ADN program.

Research the hiring climate in your area. Do they "only" hire BSNs or do they simply "prefer" BSN applicants, but will hire ADNs? That is the key question you need answered.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

Hi the route I took was getting my LPN first which took 15 months and yes I was one of the ones who paid a lot of money to get my LPN just make sure it's accredited school I used my LPN license in several different states with no problem got jobs quick than I bridged over which took another 12 months I took the LPN to RN route because I wanted to work to make a little extra cash while in an RN program I was an LPN in a lot of states and It was not hard at all to find a job It's up to you the route you take my opinion either way you will always find a job Good luck on your decision

This would be so much easier to read if you would use periods and other punctuation marks.

The OP may not be interested in working in a hospital, but she should understand that most hospitals do not hire LPNs. I also agree with prior posters who stated that paying 30K for the LPN program is not wise, given that there are many other cheaper options.