Getting an RN degree...Worth it or not?

[pat8585]

i am seeking opinions about whether pursuing an rn degree is a good thing or not right now with the economy.

i am no way suggesting that an rn is a better nurse than an lpn. i am seeking how much the opportunities are with rn vs lpn.

i am currently an lpn and have to admit i wish i made more money. can those of you who are current rn's or current lpn's who are pursuing their rn degree give me your 2

it seems i hear two phrases all the time. they are

1) you should go for your rn, you will get more opportunities

2) you should not go for further education, there is no nursing shortage and new grads are not getting jobs. you are better off staying an lpn.

please help.

thanks!

[JulieCVICURN, BSN, RN]

As an LPN, if you go for RN you will have a much better chance of landing a job than a new grad who was not an LPN. Also, even though the shortage is at a lull, I still think there are more job openings in nursing than in a lot of sectors. Also, very few of the places in my area (other than LTC) use LPN's, so you'll have more opportunity. I say go for it.

[fromtheseaRN, BSN, RN]

i am not yet an rn (almost!), but from what i see i would say do it. there are several lpn's in my class going for their rn. they work for the largest hospital chain here, which has given their lpn's 2 years to become rn's, or they lose their jobs. the options for lpn's here are dwindling, they are mostly only being hired by ltc facilities.

unlike the rest of us new grad rn's, you will have nursing experience under your belt when you graduate, and i would think that you will fare much better due to that.

[SunSurfRN]

Whats an "rn degree"?

Do you mean ASN, BSN, MSN?

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

You have to keep in mind, the current situation is cyclical. I would say go for your BSN if you can. Long term, there will be jobs, and more facilities are going to want a BSN. And I'm not referring to ADNs who have been working for a while already. The new grads are facing stiff competition, and they are going to need their BSN.

[AngelicDarkness]

i am not yet an rn (almost!), but from what i see i would say do it. there are several lpn's in my class going for their rn. they work for the largest hospital chain here, which has given their lpn's 2 years to become rn's, or they lose their jobs. the options for lpn's here are dwindling, they are mostly only being hired by ltc facilities.

unlike the rest of us new grad rn's, you will have nursing experience under your belt when you graduate, and i would think that you will fare much better due to that.

"the options for lpn's here are dwindling, they are mostly only being hired by ltc facilities."

Not necessarily true. In my area, there are psych RPNs, OR RPNs, Diebetic educator RPNs and emerg RPNs. You can still branch out into specialities as an RPN without having to work "LTC". I'm currently an RPN working in retirement/LTC because I chose too, but there are many jobs out there. There is still a shortage present, it is all in where you look for work. Each area is different.

I think you should do what you want to do:) I wouldn't take anyone's advice if you want to pursue your RN. You have to be motivated to continue on, and you sound like it in your post. I would like to pursue mine in the future, but I want a bit more experience first:)

[Ruthfarmer]

I am always inclined to encourage everyone to continue their education . . . but you need to be aware that if you live in the southeast within 40 miles of two nursing schools, where there is NO nursing shortage and where there never will be a nursing shortage, you could find yourself having to continue to work as an LPN long after you have your RN license. That's if you are lucky enough to hold onto your LPN position. Otherwise you may find yourself among the growing numbers of unemployed RN's. That's just reality right now. We all hope conditions will change.

[pat8585]

Thanks to everyone for their replies!