How do you decide, RN or LVN?

[Nicole9187]

I've been wrecking my brain for months trying to decide which route I wanted to take. I started college last year with the intentions of becoming an RN. I only took 1 RN class and I did not study the way I should have. I ended up failing the class. I re-enrolled and the class starts tonight. I just cannot decide if this is what I want. I've talk to several LVN's that say they wouldn't want to be an RN and they love what they do, and I've talked to RN's who love their job. So it's so confusing for me.

For both programs I have to take the NET test, and before I can pass that I need to take some math courses again to strengthen the math. Part of me thinks I should do the LVN program and get into the field and see if it's something I would like. Is this a good starting point?

I always think about nursing, not a day goes by that I don't feel I should be in this profession. But by the end of the day I feel so lost. I know I want to make decent money, work decent hours, and have a stable career. Anyone contemplated these two professions and possible becoming a pharmacist?

Any advice would be great!

Nicole

[mistyz23]

Hey!

I'm kinda in the same boat. I was going to be an LVN for a while by challenging, and move on to RN in 2 years. However, a new military med tech to RN program opened up, and I would be able to skip all prerequisites (as long as they are done by graduation time I am good). So, that decision was made FOR me.. RN here I come. I am taking the GAP test soon.

If you are not sure you can learn in a very quick and effective way for the RN classes you may want to start as an LVN. Not to say the job is easy at all, it is just what I would do had I had no military experience. Hope that helps.

[Q.]

For me I guess it was never a choice; RN was the way to go. I wasn't even really aware of what an LVN was when I was in college.

I originally was a biology major.

I decided on the RN because, for me, there seemed to be alot more opportunities.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I had to take the LVN course first due to a few compelling reasons.

1. I could not be out of work for more than 1 year. I quit a good job to focus all my time and energy on the 1-year LVN program, and still had to pay for my mortgage and utilities while unemployed.

2. I had no prerequisites for the RN program completed. It would have taken me 1 to 2 years to complete the algebra, anatomy & physiology, chemistry, microbiology, nutrition, and other classes.

3. I could not deal with the 2 to 3 year long waiting lists that accompanied most RN programs in my area at the time. The LVN would allow me to get into the field of nursing rather quickly.

Now that I am a new-grad LVN, I plan to complete one of the many LVN-to-RN programs in my area. It is fairly simple to be admitted into an LVN-to-RN bridge program once you possess your license to practice vocational nursing. Doing the LVN program first was the best way for me. Completing the RN program first would have caused me to wait needlessly and live in poverty.

[leamom2]

I chose to start with the LPN because I have a family and couldn't afford the two to four years an RN would have taken. I had one crazy year to get my LPN, but now I am working and building my skills and contemplating getting in to a LPN-RN bridge program. It was by far the best choice for me and my family.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

For me it was do I want to work in long-term care or not? LVN's mostly work LTC where I live.

My goal was RN. I wanted to do what an RN does.

So, RN it was.

steph

p.s. Also, I didn't want to drag it out by being an LVN first and then go on to get my RN. I was 38 and had 3 kids - I wanted to just finish school.

[drgreen]

I don't know about where you are from, but in northern IL an LVN has a hard time getting a job, unless you want to work at a nursing home. Not to mention $5 to $10 less an hour.

[GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

I chose the LPN program first because there was less hoop jumping and less waiting to get into the program. While in the LPN program I finished up all of the prereqs for the RN program. (yes, I was exhausted. I felt like all I did was study and work, wait, thats all I did do!) I started RN school the day after I finished the LPN program. I spend a boat-load of $ to do it this way. It would have been much cheaper to directly do the RN program. However, I feel being a LPN fresh out of school made the RN program MUCH easier since all of the information was very fresh in my memory. I lived with my parents and had no children/spouse at the time so I was able to do whatever I wanted education wise.