How do I convince my parents to let me go through an LVN program?

imhorsemackerel, LPN · Mar 29, 2018

I don't think there's anything else you can say that will change their minds. I am going through that route, though.

I went for LPN and opted for the two-year program over the one-year program. The second year I decided to apply for the LPN-RN at my CC. This was around February 2017. I was in the middle of my OB rotation. Every weekend I was sick. I was also working per diem nights at a group home. I needed to retake the TEAS test as the program wanted a more recent score. So I took it in February. I got an 80-something. I graduated from my program April 2017.

I took an online class that was needed for the program from May-August. I took the NCLEX in July 2017. And as soon as I got my "unofficial" result, I began applying to as many places I could daily. Many asked for a license number, so I'd just save those applications and return once I got my number. I had a few interviews. Most of the offers were per diem or part time, but I accepted a full time position at a dialysis clinic in August 2017. The pay is significantly less, but I needed the benefits. Plus, I only work 3 days a week. I started working in September 2017. By around November I found out that I was accepted into the LPN-RN program, and I started January.

Because I took the majority of the GE classes, I only need to take nursing classes and one GE class to get my degree. I'm also working and gaining some experience. Sure I want to pull my hair out most of the time, but I have loans from my first bachelor's. And seeing that number decrease each paycheck has been super satisfying.

So I'll just make up a hypothetical situation if I were in your shoes and applying to my CC's LPN-RN program. Say I did a one-year LVN program that starts in September 2018, let's assume that I take the NCLEX a month after graduating, which would be October 2019. Unfortunately with the CC, they only admit students once a year and the deadline is August, so I would have to wait until the summer. But I'd still be able to get a job, gain some experience, etc until then. I then apply by the August 2020 deadline. I start the program January 2021 and finish with my RN May 2022.

Yeah, that's definitely more work than just going directly into a 2-year RN program. A nice benefit to being an LPN first is that you potentially start working sooner (in this case 2019 instead of 2020). So there's that potential to learn and hone new skills, see if you really enjoy nursing, make connections and build a rapport with your coworkers. Many places also offer tuition assistance, so perhaps that might be something you're interested in? Just be sure to read the fine print as you may have to sign a contract that requires you to work full-time for 2 years or so after completion of the program.

Once again, I'm not sure how you can change your parents' minds. I know when I was initially going for LPN, my parents kept asking me why I didn't go for BSN or the accelerated BSN programs. They also never accepted my answer, but once I got my license, and moved on to the LPN-RN program, they stopped dwelling on what I could have done or "should have done." And if you do decide to pursue this route, I hope your parents also become more supportive.

caliotter3 · Mar 29, 2018

More employers than not, state that they will not hire a new RN based upon LPN/LVN experience. They require at least one year of RN experience to even consider the applicant.

RockyRamona · Mar 29, 2018

That's crazy! Well I got the same answer from an advanced admin on another blog, but she said that technically I can use it for experience but I have to be creative about it. It ultimately depends on the job. I know a nurse who got her Bachelor's and then went back to become an LVN because she wasn't getting hired on degree basis alone. So I'd rather take the chance of making my experience work to my advantage.

RockyRamona · Mar 29, 2018

Thank you so much! I don't expect to, tbh. If anything, I might have to take out loans. It might not be so bad because the LVN program cost like 3,000-4,000 and based on the money I'll make, I'll be able to pay that in a month or two. I definitely won't be able to convince them cause regardless of me choosing this path, I'm doing all the nursing prerequisites for an ADN program. But this is only to have them ready to apply to ADN programs after working so all I have to do is take the nursing courses like you did. They also made a deal with me that they'd give me the car if I graduated as an ADN so I'll have to sacrifice a little and take public transit or use the car sometimes, but I think it's worth it. Thank you very much for your input. I was very scared of having to tell my parents. It helps to know that you went through the same thing and were still able to do it despite your parents' disapproval. I'll be looking into tuition assistance more then. Again, thank you so much.

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 29, 2018

I don't see any advantage in getting an LPN first -- and think your parents are right. The only advantage for people getting their LPN first is a financial one IF they can't pay for the ADN. With your parents paying for your ADN (and giving you a car), the financial advantage to you would be to get the "free" ADN now -- quick, before your parents change their mind about the car!

RockyRamona · Mar 29, 2018

Yeah I see the benefit of just going straight to ADN especially because I'll be supported but my reason for considering the LVN path in the first place was financial for practical reasons. Cause my goal is to save up and so when I get my ADN, I'm ready to move out and have a job as well. I also chose the LVN path because I can get work experience which gives me a better leverage to get hired(I understand that whether it counts depends on the type of experience the job asks for.) or get more pay basically. That's just my first choice tbh. If it comes to a point where I have to suck it up and go straight to ADN, I won't complain. It's just that most RN jobs ask for experience and it's gonna be harder for me to get a job initially compared to LVN, where I can get pay and experience. I replied to another member on this thread that a nurse I know got her bachelor's and had to go back to become an LVN because she didn't have experience to be hired. But then again, the situations are different. Ultimately, I wanted to gain work experience and save up so it's easier for me to move out when I get my ADN. Hope that makes sense.

Have Nurse, ADN, RN · Mar 29, 2018

Hey everyone! I need advice for something. I'm almost done with my nursing prerequisites and I'm considering going to the LVN-RN pathway. I've heard from my nursing parents that if I go on this path, I'll be wasting my time because hospitals are phasing out LVNs. I understand that to be true but I plan to advance to becoming an RN ideally after I've worked for a few years. I say ideally cause I've been advised that if I choose to become an LVN first, that I'll probably be an LVN for longer than I think. I've weighed the pros and cons of it and I'm leaning strongly towards becoming an LVN first. (Any additional pros and cons are welcome as it is a huge decision and it'd be helpful to consider.) However my parents want me to go straight to RN and they're the ones paying for my education. I know that people who go through the LVN route do so out of economic necessity, but I have reasons. I wanted to become an LVN first so I can get work experience to make myself more hirable( yes I'm aware that I have to be creative about it, in terms of adding it to my resume but I think it helps more than just me getting a degree and having no experience), and to save up so when I get my ADN, I can move out once I get a nursing job and start living independently. Basically, I'm doing it to become financially stable in the long run. With that said, how do I convince my parents to financially support my choice to become an LVN first? They responded adversely to me suggesting it, despite me saying several times that I was going to continue my education to become an RN. I understand they want the best for me, but I have definitely thought this out. It's a matter of how they'll recieve it, which I can't control. Worse case scenario, I'll be forced to just become an RN. That isn't bad, it's something I can deal with. Ideally though, I want to become an LVN and then come back to school to become an ADN. Any tips on how to convince them?

Well, am not sure in what state you reside. But the argument that hospitals are phasing out L.P.N.s is an old one. They said that back in 1990. A well trained L.P.N. can do well financially too. I have both licensures and I have to say that I had much more clinical as a L.P.N. student than as a R.N.

The training in M.N. is heavy, but it's only a year for L.P.N. unless it's changed, so you could jump into nursing sooner, get your feet wet. The cost would be less and you can decide at that time as to whether or not you wish to pursue a R.N. Also, note, some employers will help with the cost of your education if you promise to work for them afterward. Their H.R. would know of any programs.

I loved being a L.P.N. I've said it before. If my life had not changed, I probably would still be one!

You are the one that has to make this choice, not your parents. Well done to you for researching it!

Have Nurse, ADN, RN · Mar 29, 2018

More employers than not, state that they will not hire a new RN based upon LPN/LVN experience. They require at least one year of RN experience to even consider the applicant.

It depends on where you live.

RockyRamona · Mar 29, 2018

I live in California but found job ads that still hire LVNs without experience. There's even one that I found that accepts LVN grads, so I think the job market is still ok here. Besides I don't plan to stay an LVN. I'm hella psyched to be done with my prereqs and start an LVN program. If my parents aren't convinced, I'll either find some financial aid or worse case scenario go straight to RN.

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 29, 2018

I also chose the LVN path because I can get work experience which gives me a better leverage to get hired(I understand that whether it counts depends on the type of experience the job asks for.) or get more pay basically..

Where I live, LPN experience will not help you much in getting a job. Be sure your perceptions of your local job market are correct before you invest in that longer path towards being an RN.

With parents willing and able to pay for college, you should be considering going straight for a BSN to begin with.

RockyRamona · Mar 29, 2018

Got it but where do you live? :0 Also I double check the job market often and I'm also still doing my prereqs so I still have time to consider. Also I took into consideration that a nurse friend of mine went straight for her BSN and she had to go back to become an LVN because she wasn't getting a job on a degree alone. Of course it's different for everyone so I have to consider that too. I'm definitely gonna double check while I still have time. Thank you though.