Hi there! Im 22 years old and I have wanted to get into nursing since I was in highschool. Im finally taking the plunge into this. Ive been doing a lot of research about whether I should start out as an LPN or go directly into being and RN. I posted this in another section, but would really like to get some insight from some LPNs.
I have no money for school so I will be getting loans, grants, and scholarships (if i can). I live in the Seattle area and I have heard the waiting lists for RN programs can be up to two years:confused:. I really dont want to wait to start working as a nurse. I know I can finish my LPN in about a year to 18 months and start working. Ive heard though that by becoming an LPN you can enter the LPN-RN Bridge program a lot quicker. (Sometimes waiting only a semester.) Plus this will alow me to start working as an LPN to gain more experience and make sure being an RN is really what I want to do. Even though im sure its what I want to do.
Ive asked several people about this idea and have gotten mixed responses. I would really hate to get my pre-req's done and then find out I have to wait two years to even start my RN program. Which means I may not start working as a nurse for 4+ years. I just want advice from people who are nurses themselves and what the feel about becoming an LPN first, and what they think about the bridge program choice. This is a huge choice for me so I really appreciate the advice. Thanks!:heartbeat
I don't request to be belittled by anyone. I work hard, and I expect to be respected for it. The point I was trying to make is that there is a stigma, even from the most awesome RNs I know.
Example: A GN, working as a nurse tech, had a list of IV drip drugs, usage, etc. that are most common in ICU, but because of cost savings, will be put out on the med/surg/tele floor. I said, "hey, I sure would like a copy of that; that will be handy when we get those." An RN that is my very good friend said, "oh you won't need that. That's only for RNs." Yet I will be expected to hang and infuse those drugs. Not to mention the fact I am starting LPN-BSN in fall 09 (which she is aware of).
What I was trying to say is, you have to be a big enough person to accept the stigma. LIke it or not, it's there. Yes, LPNs can be great nurses. Yes, some do respect us. Most don't. That can be hard to deal with, on top of the crappy pay.
Specializes in A little of this & a little of that.
I would look into what the job opportunities for LPN's are like in your area first. Where I live, there are currently very few job openings of any kind for LPN's. The ones that are available are part-time, per diem and often only night shifts. This makes it hard to earn money while going to school. And hard to study if you're not a night shift person.
However, if there are plenty of jobs, it's not bad going for LPN first and then working on RN. Even if the jobs are all in nursing homes, you gain a lot of valuable expereince. These days the patients in nursing homes are the very same type of patient we had in med-surg in hospital 25 years ago. I think new RN's who were LPN's first have a definite advantage.
In my state, I wouldn't advise anybody to go for LPN at this time because of the job situation. But, there are many parts of the country where an LPN can easily find a job and maybe even get one that offers tuition assistance. You really have to weigh your personal options and the area where you live/work.
i personally think this is a really good option. i started out as a nursing assistant then moved on to LPN and now working on RN then to BSN and then hopefully CRNA. this was best for me because i wanted to be able to provide for myself and my son, and it offered me a chance to get to know nursing from the inside out and the bottom up. experience that cant be bought. i've seen so many people jump right in feet first and run right back out with a green face. just pace yourself, u will definitly find what works best for you. goodluck and welcome to the wonderful world of nursing. i promise this will be one of the best decisions you ever made.
IMO, It really depends on how much or how long can you afford staying in nursing school at the same time receiving little or no income at all. If you're in a situation wherein you really want to be a nurse but a the same time don't have the luxury to go through a 2 year(or more) to a 4 year degree course for certain reasons... then I would suggest the LPN/LVN route. But if you think you'll have good support or you're willing to go through the more rigorous requirements of graduating as an RN, then I say go for it. The benefits from that position are worth the time and effort.
That said, there's not much difference in terms of skills that you'll get from an LPN school and an RN school (probably a bit more to do in RN). Last I checked, patient care doesn't(and shouldn't) change between an LPN/LVN and an RN, so why should skill do? So going back to my point, when you choose a school, two things you should highly consider...TIME and MONEY. Endgame doesn't matter, you'll still come out of nursing school either way as a NURSE!
Specializes in A little of this & a little of that.
That said, there's not much difference in terms of skills that you'll get from an LPN school and an RN school (probably a bit more to do in RN). Last I checked, patient care doesn't(and shouldn't) change between an LPN/LVN and an RN, so why should skill do? So going back to my point, when you choose a school, two things you should highly consider...TIME and MONEY. Endgame doesn't matter, you'll still come out of nursing school either way as a NURSE!
Patient Care absolutely does and should change between an LPN/LVN and an RN. This is the whole reason there are two levels of licensure. There are skills that are not allowed by state Nurse Practice Acts for LPN/LVN's and additional ones that are not allowed by hospital policies. A nurse working with a patient that requires that care has to rely on an RN to come do it. Common examples: TPN, Central Lines and IV push meds. RN programs also have emphasis on leadership and the nursing process (especially assessment) far beyond that of LPN programs. The scientific knowledge is more in-depth (read difficult).
There a good reasons to take either path. Just be sure of what you are getting into as far as availability of jobs, as I mentioned earlier.
Patient Care absolutely does and should change between an LPN/LVN and an RN. This is the whole reason there are two levels of licensure. There are skills that are not allowed by state Nurse Practice Acts for LPN/LVN's and additional ones that are not allowed by hospital policies. A nurse working with a patient that requires that care has to rely on an RN to come do it. Common examples: TPN, Central Lines and IV push meds. RN programs also have emphasis on leadership and the nursing process (especially assessment) far beyond that of LPN programs. The scientific knowledge is more in-depth (read difficult).
There a good reasons to take either path. Just be sure of what you are getting into as far as availability of jobs, as I mentioned earlier.
I stand corrected and I thank you for that. My wording must have come out a bit off and wrong. What I mean to say, in short,(from a perspective of a newbie) choose either school and still you'll end up being a nurse. A person new to the healthcare field and just looking into it probably won't be thinking much about TPNs, Central Lines, or IV push meds, or leadership or that whole enchilada...he/she just probably wants to be a Nurse, get a decent pay, and work as one. I was just trying to make it simple to a new person looking into a career in healthcare without undermining the fields of LVNs and RNs.
That said, i probably need to reword the patient care thingy, I meant just the consistency of care. It should be maintained in a certain way which is why skills taught to LVNs and RNs such as the basics shouldn't differ at all. That's what I meant. :)
I am just starting my LPN program in January, and I am so proud that I got in. I can't wait to get started. I plan on going on to be an RN, but right now this is where I want to be. Nursing isn't for everyone, but being an LPN is an accomplishment . I love this site, it is so informative.
At the risk of being mocked, let me suggest the following;
First, nursing school is nothing like nursing. It is like a fraternity hazing that lets you wear the sweater if you get through the tests. That is why alot of good nurses hated nursing school and proceed to grow intellectually through distance learning programs. Also there are alot of great nursing students who find nursing school like being in the womb and hate nursing. These people typically collect degrees and become nursing administrators.
The type of nurse you become should have nothing to do with pay, job availability or 'status'. The first two will always change, and the last, 'status' is only a factor of how you see yourself.
Personally I love being a LPN and would never want to be a RN and ride a desk. While my RN (she works for me :chuckle) is doing the paperwork I am doing the wound dressings, medications, and med stats. I am so glad she/he is there to answer the phone!
Whether you are a LPN, RN, CRNA, NP, CNA OR MT, the most important thing is a.) be proud of your skills b.)challenge yourself by reading books just to improve them c.) be a advocate to your patients and finally d.) drink alot of beer on your days off.
Karma is what will make you successful in this business.
i have been stuggling with the same question for awhile now, but i think that getting an lpn first is the best way. in michigan atleast you either have a 2 year wait list or they accept you into the peogram based on math and writing skills which i find unfair! i want to be an rn, but im not great at algerbra. i took a pratice rn exam with no schooling other than my cna classes and patho, a and p 1 and 2 and scored a 75% on it which in think is pretty good, but it wont get me in nursing school, but once you have a lpn it seems easier.
The program is so hard. I am struggling with the anatomy and physiology not to mention the skills paper test. The lowest score we can have at our school is an 81 average, which sounds doable in theory, but in reality it sucks. If we fall below that grade we are terminated from the program.
There you have it. Even though the title as well as the first paragraph clearly stated that you sought LPN's advice and that you had posted this elsewhere for non LPNs to respond, you got advice from across the board anyway. Makes me wonder about the extra years of academia. Seriously, if at all possible, go straight to RN. Sure, the initial wait may be longer, but you never know what curve balls life will throw at you to make it more difficult later on. Also, if you have to take out a loan for PN school, wouldn't you need to pay that off before taking another loan for continued education? If you need or want to work while you're on the waiting list work as a CNA. While the pay is less, so is the investment. The LPN career is a cuel de sac. I would encourage you to make a decision based on (largely your personal) economics and the best promise for growth and options in the future. Don't make your decision based on this no respect, Little Pretend Nurse, etc., etc. garbage. You earn your respect by the way you carry yourself, not by what it says on your name tag.
I love this site, it is so informative.
Seriously, if at all possible, go straight to RN. Sure, the initial wait may be longer, but you never know what curve balls life will throw at you to make it more difficult later on. Also, if you have to take out a loan for PN school, wouldn't you need to pay that off before taking another loan for continued education? If you need or want to work while you're on the waiting list work as a CNA. While the pay is less, so is the investment. The LPN career is a cuel de sac. I would encourage you to make a decision based on (largely your personal) economics and the best promise for growth and options in the future. Don't make your decision based on this no respect, Little Pretend Nurse, etc., etc. garbage. You earn your respect by the way you carry yourself, not by what it says on your name tag.
sparketteinok
136 Posts
I don't request to be belittled by anyone. I work hard, and I expect to be respected for it. The point I was trying to make is that there is a stigma, even from the most awesome RNs I know.
Example: A GN, working as a nurse tech, had a list of IV drip drugs, usage, etc. that are most common in ICU, but because of cost savings, will be put out on the med/surg/tele floor. I said, "hey, I sure would like a copy of that; that will be handy when we get those." An RN that is my very good friend said, "oh you won't need that. That's only for RNs." Yet I will be expected to hang and infuse those drugs. Not to mention the fact I am starting LPN-BSN in fall 09 (which she is aware of).
What I was trying to say is, you have to be a big enough person to accept the stigma. LIke it or not, it's there. Yes, LPNs can be great nurses. Yes, some do respect us. Most don't. That can be hard to deal with, on top of the crappy pay.