HELP!! Should I start with LPN or start with RN??

ayoride · Feb 2, 2009

Considering that you have demands on your time, LPN appears to be the way to go. I am in a similar situation with you but I am doing the RN part-time. Even at that, it is still very demanding and time consuming. At least in your case, if you do the LPN, your biys would have grown and be a little much more independent; thereby freeing up some time for you to do the LPN-RN transition of about one year.

...and that's my 2 cent

ny2nc · Feb 2, 2009

Hi i did the same thing applied to 2 programs but i chose the lpn route it was a little faster as far as time in school was concerned and the money is pretty good but if i had to do it over again i would have went all the way i have 3 boys also 14,11,1 and am looking to go back .dnt know when but will good luck

NachoMomma · Feb 2, 2009

If you're long term goal is to be an RN, then I'd go ahead and make the sacrafices now to do it and have it. If you go LPN, then you'll be in school for that and then you may go back later to get the RN any way. If you have the prereqs and the GPA, then I say go ahead and go for the RN. If you go to LPN, you'll be in school longer to complete the RN - which also means more money lost b/c you'll be paying for school longer. The RN program is longer, but you'll earn more to make up that time lost working. Just my two cents! Good luck!

Holly5477 · Feb 2, 2009

does anyone know of a general base pay for lpns?? i have no idea whatsoever. i know rn's make somewhere near 20.00 plus diff/weekends/overnights....etc. i live in nc. any ideas, or comments on what y'all make?? thanks!! :twocents:

RhodyGirl, RN · Feb 2, 2009

I would go for the RN program. Before I was accepted to NS, I was torn between ADN and BSN.....chose BSN and I don't regret it one bit. So, while I understand your decision dilemma....I would say take the option that takes you right to your ultimate goal.

Laurie2000 · Feb 2, 2009

Go straight for RN. Do not pass go. I have too many friends who are LPNs and can't find the time yo go back. Plus, LPN is shorter, but definitely not easier. Go for it!

avahnel, ASN, RN · Feb 3, 2009

If you are going at a community college-will the degree earned for the RN be an ADN? If so-won't it take longer to get a LPN then do the bridge? The community college I go to also has both programs, and most LPNs state they can't work while going to school for the bridge (the last three semesters of the ADN program), because it is too stressful. In my case it would have been One year for the LPN, and then three more semesters for the ADN for the RN. Or just go straight for the RN which is two years (four semesters). The time thing made the decision for me, well that and I want to be an RN, so I took the straightest line to my goal.

Dottie, RN · Feb 3, 2009

Holly, if I were in your shoes, I would do the RN route. I was also torn between enrolling in the LPN or RN programs, but chose the RN program, because I can get it all out of the way, and won't have to worry about going back to school in the future. (Having a family to take care of would be too difficult for me to have to go back to school a second round for another year and a half!) Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with being an LPN, but RNs get paid more, and their scope of practice is wider than an LPN's. Once you find a job, you'll earn better pay. I also heard that most hospitals and facilities are weeding out LPNs. Don't know how true this is, but I went to several hospital websites (in my area) to see how many job listings there were for LPNs (compared to RNs) and at this one particular hospital, there weren't ANY job listings for LPNs...but a ton for RNs! Good luck in whatever you decide! :heartbeat

WorkingTowards2011 · Feb 3, 2009

I am in the rn program at a community college, and the difference between rn and lpn is only one semester. I say, just put your head down and plow all the way through to be an RN. Then you won't have to go back at all. I would be so depressed to go back to school after just graduating to be an lpn, but that's jmho.

beckersSN · Feb 4, 2009

Absolutely, do the RN. LPN positions are being eliminated all over the place. Several LPNs graduated about a year ago and out of 30 of them only 4 had jobs within 3-4 months. Also, getting into LPN to RN transition programs can take awhile as well. If you get into the RN... do it.

Holly5477 · Feb 5, 2009

:heartbeatthanks to everyone for their replies!! i was dead set on going into the lpn program because i wanted a job earlier than the rn program. i will probably have to pray that i get into the rn program now!! :wshgrt:

i should have my teas test letter soon, so on that note...i will let everyone know what happens!

****thinking good thoughts*****