Help with deciding LVN-RN?!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2010

If you pursue the RN directly at West Coast University, the program will cost over $100,000. In my opinion, this is entirely too much money to pay for an RN program.

Due to the current economic climate, it is tremendously difficult for LVN new grads to find jobs in California. In addition, a private LVN program in most parts of CA will cost over $30,000 in tuition, which is a whole lot of money to pay for an education that might not land you a job.

I would approach this situation slowly and methodically by doing well in your prerequisite classes and applying to publicly-funded schools of nursing at local community colleges, state universities, or adult education programs.

californiarn100 · Mar 4, 2010

Nobody, except maybe the SNF's is hiring LVNs. A stable career with great salary and benefits is worth the effort to get a professional RN degree.

MEDICJOHN · Mar 4, 2010

do your pre reqs at a small trade tech or comm. college, really cheap that way. then do a 2 year rn, why waste time with LVN, no one hires them not even clinics...they hire MA's. I'm going to a tiny trade tech, and i only pay 250.00 per semester, by the end i will have spent 1000 bucks which then gets reimbursed by my job....no brainer...

michelle2369 · Mar 4, 2010

I've been going back and forth on the same decision for months and it really depends on your situation. My decision was based on time and money (I want to get moving with a career and can only afford to not work for a year). If I had no post high school education I would go right into a BSN program. But if you're looking to get into something sooner go with LVN route. You will finish in about a year, gain some experience, then go back for your RN. That's my plan. I'm not sure what the need for LVNs in your area is, but here in Pennsylvania I see a lot of openings, but mostly in LTC facilities.

ExPharmaGirl, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2010

If you are in CA, why not National University for an RN (BSN)? The cost is 1/2 that of West Coast University. Check it out. That's where I'm going (start in a few months!). A private school, but a good education...They have campuses for Nursing in San Diego, Fresno, and Los Angeles. Of course, I don't know where you are, so that could be a determining factor. Good luck to you!

Misslady113 · Mar 4, 2010

I think it depends on alot of things. Your responsibilites, finances, what your goal in nursing is, etc. But I would just go straight for the R.N. I had a hardtime deciding LVN or BSN. But I told myself that if at some time I plan to take my BSN anyway , I should just go straight for it. Also money matters. Why spend more money getting LVN when you could just go straight for the RN. One big factor for me was that I know nursing school is super hard. And I feel that after going through it, and graduating, am I really goning to want to go back to school AGAIN??? :uhoh3:

But at the end of the day, I thought about if I graduated either one, and loved nursing, if I got the LVN I would regret not going for the R.N. But if I go for the R.N, well there would be no regrets. I also just felt like the LVN would be stretching out the time that I could be in school for the R.N. So reach for the sky and go for the ultimate goal. Go for it while the passion is there. After being an LVN, you might lose the passion to go back, especially while working and making good money.

And I also suggest to become a CNA or something in healthcare just so you know if it's for you. I took a 4 week CNA course and love every part of my job. It will suck to go to school for years to have no idea what you got into and not like it.

Like miley Cyrus said( in a great inspirational song), "Aint about how fast I get there, ain't about what's waiting on the other side.... it's the CLIMB!!!" Good luck to you.:heartbeat

prnurse24 · Mar 4, 2010

I totally agree with Miss Lady!! I did Lpn right outta high school which was basicly the only option for me at the time, but if you have the opportunity to do the rn now..TAKE IT!!! I've been a LPN for 9 years and now that i have the time to go back to scool I have no inspiration nor desire!! And in my area, near Boston, MA, Lpn jobs are so hard to find, even in LTC facilities! DO THE RN!!! Oh and way higher salary and options in the long run!! :rolleyes:

scott2010lpn · Mar 4, 2010

Im in LPN school right now in Oklahoma. I am almost finished, and have only spent around 5000.00 for the program. I dont know where your located, but here we have Bridge programs for LPN's. When you finish all of your pre-reqs, here, you have one year of Saturdays to get your RN, ADN.(depending on how fast or slow you would want to go) Also there are always jobs here for LPN's in most settings. Most of our hospitals, LTC, hospice, and dr.offices hire LPN's. Most all of the people in my class already have jobs. Good Luck!

bigboy18 · Mar 4, 2010

i'm in LPN school..and my tuition cost me $22,000. I used a loan from the government and only have to pay the remaining $8000 which I'm almost closed to finishing.

To all the people saying don't be an LPN/LVN because places aren't hiring or it's a waste of time, well IT ALL DEPENDS ON WHERE YOU LIVE. I live in BC Canada and hospitals are hiring and so are LTC facilities. I'll be making roughly $24/hr once I graduate along with benefits if I go fulltime. Besides, I would have been on the waiting list for 1-3 years (For RN) since classes get filled up so fast here. The private college I applied for had no waiting list and it's only a 1 year program.

Do some more research. Good luck

sharona97, BSN, RN · Mar 4, 2010

Personally, I took pre-reqs while attending LVN school in Corpus Christi, TX. I graduated with a AS in LPN as I had my prereqs done and then I was able to go forward with the RN courses.

I found that having the pre-reqs done put me somewhat ahead for RN enrollment.

Hopes this gives some sort of perspective

Sharona