I dont know what to do LPN or RN??

Nurses General Nursing

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Well I have been out of High School for 9 years.I did not graduate:crying2: but I went back and got my GED. Last year I decided I wanted to do something in the medical field:redpinkhe ...but I have absolutly no experience. I was a school bus driver for 3 years:banghead: and this fall my children will both be in school and I am ready for a change. I've really want to work on the maternity floor of a hospital , helping with babys and new moms and dads. So I enrolled myself in The 1Yr. LPN program and I am just starting my pre reqs. Since I have started, I have heard many things about how hard it is for lpn's to get jobs in hospitals that RN is so much better. I would love to go for RN but i dont know if i should start with babysteps (since i have no experience). Does anyone have any suggestions. I dont know what I should be putting my time into first. Thank You SOOO much for any help you could give me.:D

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Specializes in Med Surg & Peds.

I was out of school for quite a while before going back and have graduated from the LPN program. I really love nursing and am happy with my position...I may go back for RN - Bridge but am unsure at this time...so my advise to you would be..perhaps get position as CNA - Nursing Assistant on maternity floor if possible..and see if you like it...Go ahead with LPN program and then really see if you like it and you will not have wasted alot of time if you dont. But a good place to start is as nursing assistant...That is what i have done. good luck:up:

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

I totally agree that starting out as a nursing assistant will give you a direct look at whether or not nursing is for you and will be a huge advantage for you as you progress through your nursing program. You will have a comfort level in hospitals and with patients that others in your program who have not had that experience will not have.

There is no doubt that several career paths are valid. It depends what works best for you and your life. I think it depends a lot on the time and money you have to spend at this time in your life. Getting your RN now will take longer (obviously) and depending on your part of the country may be difficult to get into...many programs have waiting lists etc. Getting your RN will give you more options and more freedom in your career.

Pursuing your LPN may be what works best for you. You will spend less time and less money. However don't be fooled, LPN programs are tough, just shorter in length. How secure are you in your study abilities and coping strategies for stress? These are all questions you will have to answer for yourself.

If I were you, I would make appointments with the admissions counselors in at least 2 schools in your area (LPN and RN) and get a sense of what would be best for you. These people are experts at assisting students along their path and honestly will be well worth your time.

Also, be forewarned, there aren't a lot of openings for new grads (LPN or RN) in maternity, L +D or postpartum, since these are very popular nursing areas. It may take a year or two to get your self into your "dream" position.

Good luck!!;););)

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.

Sounds like your goal is hospital work. Around here it is indeed extremely hard for a new grad to get a job in a hospital.

I would include getting your RN in your plans, for better money and job opportunities. This can be accomplished through an LPN to RN program, so getting your LPN is still a good option, just don't stop there.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Hi and welcome,

I also did my LPN first because I wanted to see if nursing was my cup of tea and I was used to making too much money to consider doing CNA. It is true that LPN hospital positions can be few and far between depending on your area but it was my thought that I could do pretty much anything for a year or so as I earned my RN. I needed a decent income while I was in school also so having my LPN was perfect. Best of luck with whatever you decide to do. Jules

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Baby steps! Baby steps! Baby steps!

While you are in LPN school get a CNA license to get some experience working in the medical field. Most nursing homes are scrambling to find CNAs to work even a day a week.

When you are an LPN it is still possible to find a job in a hospital though probably not in L&D, but once you get your foot in the door and get some experience you will probably be utilized in different areas of the hospital. Once you are working as an LPN many hospitals have programs that will pay for you to go to school to get an RN. The possibilities are many, just don't bite off more than you can chew. If you are not ready for college level coursework do not set yourself up for failure by signing up for classes you are not ready to take yet.

A lot of uninformed people may discourage you from getting an LPN diploma. Go right for the RN, they may tell you. For a few people this may work but in all this is horrible advice. It is NEVER a waste of time to get your LPN license. You will be employable and valuable as an LPN, and you will have the opportunity to gain skills that will help you prepare to become an RN.

Don't forget, it's only a year of your life!

When you take baby steps and can see progress that gives you more confidence to make even more progress and move to the next level.

You CAN do it.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Well, it sounds like you already started the LPN program, but you are saying you are taking pre-requisites. Will you gain an automatic seat after the pre-requisites, or does entrance into the program require high grades? Also, are your pre-requisites transferable to an RN program? In my school, LPN and RN candidates had most of the same pre-reqs.

If you have are, in fact already in the LPN program, I say to complete it. I agree with motorcyclemama in that don't let people discourage you by saying that entering into an LPN program is a mistake. It is true that depending on some areas, LPN positions are limited to long term care and are having a very, very hard time obtaining positions in hospitals. It is also true that RNs have more of a variety of opportunities, however, again, depending on where you live, there are wider opportunities for LPNs than in other regions. In my area, some are hired as unit managers, diabetic educators (not certified, though), teaching Medical Assistant or CNA programs, working for plastic surgeons and other things.

I think that your decision entails looking at several factors; how competitive programs are, what programs are available in your area, how the job market for LPNs is where you reside, what is the criteria for entering the RN programs in your area (GPA requirements, waiting lists, how many seats are in the programs) and such. And, always know that you would be a contributor to patient care. And, you will have the opportunity to see if nursing is for you at all, and you will obtain the basic foundation of nursing. Plus, you will not have to remain an LPN if you desire to go further. With a solid foundation as an LPN, the transition would not be as foreign to you as it seems, now. Good luck!

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I want to thank all of you for your help.. Your advice was great.....I am gonna continue on in the LPN course and just follow where it takes me. Being so new at all this I just needed a little help. Thanks AGAIN!!!:D:yeah:

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Sounds like your goal is hospital work. Around here it is indeed extremely hard for a new grad to get a job in a hospital.

I would include getting your RN in your plans, for better money and job opportunities. This can be accomplished through an LPN to RN program, so getting your LPN is still a good option, just don't stop there.

Good luck!

yes start out as a stna then lpn however if you don't mind getting told your just an lpn stay there but here in ohio nobody wants just an lpn they want an rn that's why there is a shortage we are all nurses if you love what you are doing go for it i got tired of being just a lpn im back in school for my rn

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Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

It sounds like you've made a plan. I agree with OP that you should become a CNA while your working on becoming a LPN (if possible). It will help once you become a LPN and above. Learning the ropes from the ground up also will give you an understanding of what each role is (and all of the hard work that goes with the roles). You will be able to relate to your CNA better if you've worked in the ranks. I wish you the best of luck.

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I :redbeathe what I'm doing I work for an agency as a LPN and Make 23.0/hr in Ohio although I get dogged alot I look at it as experience and not as a put down so I am taking this experience with me and I will be a better nurse for it. my advice don't go to fast you'll burn out:D

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Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.

I took baby steps due to what was going on in my life for the past few years. I started as a dietary aide, then an STNA (CNA), and then LPN and i dont regret it a bit! I have worked in both OH and TX as an LPN/LVN and i :redpinkhe:redbeathe:redpinkhe it! I do have a few ignorant people both people who are not nurses or nuring students and some who are... who go "so when will you be a REAL nurse" :confused: ummm my answer is always i AM a REAL nurse! lol...i am going back for my RN this fall and i will never regret working my way up the ladder! I feel like it gave me a solid foundation to work with. Oh and those "REAL" nurses who work in my hospital unit, are the ones asking me questions and clarification most of the time! :chuckle

Just my :twocents::twocents:!

good luck with what you decide to do and i hope you enjoy nursing! :jester:

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