Got into LPN and RN What Should I Do?

[Tfish1065]

Ok, here's the deal. I'm a male 45 year old with one 11 year old son. Took all prereqs for LPN and most for ADN. Aced TEAS (don't ask me how, I just did on version V, was luck probably). Anyway, I would only have to take just LPN classes Pract 1-3 and Pharm. For the ADN, I'd have to take the nursing classes and AP 168 and 169 because I only took the LPN A&P. My original thinking was I need to get a decent job as fast as I can to be able to adequately support my son and myself. Tired of worrying about being terminated at different jobs because of the economy. I live in NC and it's mostly manufacturing and service industry. But, after a year of going to school, most of my instructors have encouraged me to accept the ADN letter because my job opportunities will be so much better. And, because of my grades, I'm more than qualified. Have a cuml. of 3.579 and got an A in LPN A&P. I've had all my maths for both programs, got an A etc. Having said all of this, I was set (and had my mind made up) on LPN then transition in ADN for money sake. But, having gotten the letter, and holding it in my hands, I'm having second thoughts especially with the job market for nurses in NC. It use to be an LPN could work in hospitals, not anymore unless your grandfathered. Mostly LPN work in LTC facilities and Dr offices (the LTC I like, but I'm not the Dr's office type). What's your ideas? Thoughts? etc. I've got until June 1 to make up my mind, but I'll either accept or decline the ADN by May 31th. Any help would be appreciated.

[dekagirlsRN]

No brainer--RN program!!!! :)

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

For your situation I say go for RN.

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

RN for sure. I have a couple of LVN-RN friends that are graduating with me in 4 weeks, and they both say they wish they'd just done RN straight out of the gate.

I'm a LPN and have LPN to RN friends and many of us are grateful that we did not do RN just out the gate. LPN school made RN school easier for us, we were able to make decent money while pursing our RN education, and we are already nurses so many of us already have jobs for when we graduate. LPN was a great experience for me. I have been a CNA, GNA, LPN and now RN student I believe this will make me a more well rounded nurse because of this.

But to each its own.

[CarolinaGirl1112]

RN program all the way! I live in NC, too, in the Raleigh area. I check the job listings every day, and rarely see any for LPNs, but TONS for RNs! Plus, if you take the LPN program and then want to do the RN program later, most schools require that you work as an LPN for at least one year before even applying, so you'd just be delaying things even further.

Go for the RN program, you can do it!

[ProgressiveThinking, MSN, CRNA]

Current LVN (California equivalent of an LPN) here in a LVN-ADN RN program who is doing both work and school full time. I completely switched majors, and schools to save money (did mine at a CC). If I had the option, I would have no doubt went straight through with my RN. The only GOOD thing about doing my LVN first was that I was able to get into my hospital of choice that currently is not hiring any new-grad RNs. Since I'm in the system now as an LVN though, I have a REAAALLLY good shot at getting a job as a new grad right away.

Also..since I have experience as an LVN, I feel my RN schooling isn't really all that difficult. It's more detailed, but i've already dealt with most of this stuff in my LVN program.

However, probably about 75% of new grads RNs from my school are still getting jobs within a year of graduation. There are still jobs out there, but you more than likely will not get your #1 choice.

Moral of the story: Finish your RN asap. 2 years from now jobs may once again be plentiful for ADNs for whatever reason. The changed they're attempting to implement are all cyclical. I don't regret getting my LVN first, and feel like it will make me a better nurse in the long run, but if I had to do it all over again, I would have finished my RN first and avoided all the BS that goes along with being an LVN and bridging over into an RN bridge program.