why are you going the LPN route?

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

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Just curious as why others are going the LPN route instead of straight to ASN or BSN RN ?

I want to be a nurse and personally can't attend a full time program. And in my area LPN was the only program that offered a part time evening class that would allow my work schedule and I have a 6 month old son. Also the private school didn't have a wait list. So ill be starting jan 13th. once I'm a LPN I'm hoping on a job that will allow me to live off while I can go Ft days to a RN program.

What are others decisions?

I'm just browsing the forums and still haven't completely decided what to do. I am currently taking prerequisites. The RN program here is extremely competitive and is something like M-TH 7am-5pm, clinicals as early as 5:30am...which freaked me out because I have kids. I'm looking into a LVN program which seems to have a more kid-friendly schedule. I am nervous, though, because most of the jobs I have seen for LVNs are not things I really want to do (at all). I would definitely bridge to RN if I did go that route.

I don't know. I'm still trying to decide if nursing if for me. And if the crazy schedule would be worth it.

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I just don't have the resources to go full time for 4 years. Also, I have not decided what I would like to do after as of yet. I am considering doing the Ortho Tech or the OR Tech programs, or I can continue on the LPN to RN route later. So I need to find out what area I like and then go for that! Also I am newly married and would like the chance to have children possibly, being in my early thirties I can't see myself going for a 4 year program.

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This is such an amazing post. I, too finished all of my prereqs for RN programs prior to attending LVN school. After taking all my prereqs, I applied to all BSN program because EVERYONE I knew told me to get my BSN first. The reason being no hospital hires ADN RNs anymore. I was rejected to all the BSN programs since they were so competitive.. (mind you I'm a 3.5 student with 150+ hours of volunteer work) but that still wasn't enough. It was really disheartening to be rejected. I decided I didn't wanna wait for however long for adn programs in my area, I enrolled at an LVN program. I finished in 15 months. Took my boards, passed and got a job 2 weeks later. And this January I'm starting my RN program!

To me being an LVN has taught me so much. I feel like I'm getting my feet wet with all the experience I have and seen. I feel like LVN should be a stepping stone to being an RN. I've seen so many new grad RN who are BSN, yet the old school LVNs are more knowledgeable than them because of the experience under their belt (a lot of them where I work). Not to insult any RNs out there!! :) So kudos to you! And don't listen to anyone. If your heart is set on it.. And it's what you really want.. You'll make it.

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Lpns where I live still work in hospitals and the jobs here are good! Plus I already have an associates degree and the thought of going back to school for 4 years is insane! I have a two year old and run my own farm! I travel an hour to my lpn school but I'm looking forward bridging over online once I'm out!

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Specializes in LTC.

Reason #1 There was NO WAITING LIST. I just graduated and will be taking NCLEX PN soon. Meanwhile, the same folks who were on the community college waiting list with me are still on the waiting list. I had to stop waiting and start doing and the LPN program helped me do that.

Reason #2 LPN program had a part time track, RN programs in my area are all full time. With a family and a full time job, I needed to go part-time.

Reason #3 I can still bridge to RN, or go on to earn BSN if I so choose. Or I can remain an LPN. Either way, I accomplished what I wanted to do..become a nurse.

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Good answer, LisaLPN.

I chose LPN because I had zero healthcare experience and already had another degree. I wanted to "get my feet wet," so to speak. I am also a fan of climbing the ladder and reaching multiple goals. Plus, it's all quicker this way.

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Specializes in psych.

I'm a couple of months away from getting my associate of science in nursing at the local university. Mine is a 1 year prereq followed by 2 years of nursing classes/clinical program. I had originally wanted to go straight through, thinking the diploma LPN program would not be worth it if I planned on continuing on with an ASN and then BSN at university.

Hindsight is 20/20. While I'm glad I did the route I did, if I had had a crystal ball to tell me what I was about to go through personally, I would have chosen the LPN route to make it easier. A little over a year into the program, my husband was hit by a drunk driver. He sustained enough spinal damages/knee/other damages that he had to medically retire from his job. Anyone that's had to deal with disability knows it takes time. Sometimes a long time. And during that time he had no income and I was a stay at home mom just going to school. So, a year into the program and I was not only dealing with a full time nursing program, I was suddenly having to go back to work to support my family. If I had gone the LPN route first, I would have already graduated and it would have been a lot easier to pay bills.

Like others have said, there are lots of ways to get to RN. If it's easier for you to go LPN and then LPN-RN, go for it. Just do it. You never know what the future brings.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I wanted a new career, and my need for instant gratification wouldn't allow me to consider the ASN/BSN route. I wasn't even sure if I'd like nursing, but it ended up being right for me. It sparked a passion for learning so powerful that I signed up for RN pre-reqs the day after graduation. LPN school helped me get all my bad habits out of the way, and honestly, it made every class I had taken afterward seem easy. Not only that, but I'll be done with my pre-reqs next semester and get to jump right into a great LPN-RN bridge program, whereas my classmates are stuck on a mandatory two year wait list (and that's only AFTER they complete all pre-reqs).

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They have made the RN programs so competitive that no matter what it is about impossible to get in unless you have a 4.0 (so it seems) For the record your GPA is not on your lic and I have known so A nursed and some C nurses and the C nurse seemed to be doing it for the patient and not the money C=degree. I graduate the LPN program in Aug 2014 and will get my RN but want to get experience under my belt. It almost make sense to get a LPN and then an RN with out all the hoop jumping.

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Going the LPN route because I wanted to get into nursing as quickly as possible. The community college here and the universities all require pre-reqs. I plan on making a transition into a BSN program.

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Congratulations on graduating lpn school. It does feek good to know I'm not the only one who messed up in human anatomy 1 and 2. Did you like lpn school? What are some things you learned in school?

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The 2 year program is so competitive and not enough slots available for the majority of applicants applying. Also considering the long wait list for RN programs, the LPN route is a better fit for me at this time. I have a teenage daughter in school,and I still want to work part time so this program allows me to do so. I have the majority of my pre-reqs done so when I complete everything I will still transfer into a LPN-BSN once I get my feet wet and time permits. If you are looking to get into nursing sooner than later than this is the best route to take,you still become a nurse and can advance your career when you are ready! Some people will tell you that LPN's are being phased out,(been hearing that for years now) but I believe the job is more available than previous years and even more outside of the hospital setting.

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