If Money Were No Problem.........

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If you did not have to worry about money to live on while attending school and had a choice of an LPN Program or taking pre-reqs for an RN program which would take longer to complete, which would you do and why?

Also, how much harder is the two year RN program than an LPN program?

I am still trying to make a decision and trying to look at this from all views.

Thanks for your replies and blessings to you.

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You are in the same position my daughter is in now and she has decided to go for the two year RN program. In the hospital setting there is not really all that much more that an RN does than an LPN but the pay differance and potential are significant, the opportunities are endless practically for an RN. Don't sell yourself short from the beginning, go for the Gusto. You can always fall back on being a LPN if you fail to make it as an RN.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTC/Geriatric.

It time and money were no object, I'd go for RN, but in my province RN is now only 4 years. No more 2 year programs.

So, I'm doing a 12 month LPN program to start. We'll see how working as a nurse is and then I may do the remaining three years to become an RN.

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Specializes in ICU, CCU, Trauma, neuro, Geriatrics.

If time and money were not a problem I would go for a masters degree in nursing from the start. If you find you don't like bedside nursing then you can easily go to teaching, adminstrative etc.

I am finding it is difficult to go back to school after many years.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

I'd go for the RN for a couple of reasons:

1. Greater job flexibility - you can work more places as an RN.

2. The pay is better. In some cases, I see hospital LPNs doing much the same work as an RN but they make about $5/hr less than an RN with almost the same duties.

3. The cost of your education will be cheaper in the long run if you go straight to RN.

Please be aware that most 2 year RN programs do take about 3 years to complete due to the pre-reqs.

Best wishes, whatever you choose. :)

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I'd go for the RN for a couple of reasons:

1. Greater job flexibility - you can work more places as an RN.

2. The pay is better. In some cases, I see hospital LPNs doing much the same work as an RN but they make about $5/hr less than an RN with almost the same duties.

3. The cost of your education will be cheaper in the long run if you go straight to RN.

Please be aware that most 2 year RN programs do take about 3 years to complete due to the pre-reqs.

Best wishes, whatever you choose. :)

I know that the RN will take longer, I can't even apply untill the spring of 08 for the Fall Class of 08. I have applied to the LPN program and waiting to hear if I get in in the Fall of 07. The Community College does have an LPN Bridge to RN - however, by the time I complete the LPN program, I would still have the pre-reqs to get out of the way for the RN Program. I already have 3 classes out of the way for the RN Program. I am currently taking A&P, however it is for the LPN program and does not go as in depth as the A&P required for the RN Program, however I have an A average in this class. I am 54 and need to decide, I am not sleeping good trying to make this decision. I had thought I did not want the responsibilities of an RN, however, if LPN's are doing about the same work for less pay, it makes more sense to go ahead and pursue the RN degree. I did not know that in the hospitals, LPN's are doing about the same work as an RN. That surprises me. I would love to work in L&D and probably need an RN degree for that, although from the ads I am seeing for one of our major hospitals, they are wanting a BSN degree to work in L&D. I do not want to take all the classes for a BSN. I would rather take fewer classes at a time and go the three year route for the Associates degree. I have no desire to go into management.

Thanks for your replies.

Many thanks for your replies.

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If the school has separate programs I would look at your prerequisites and if they have LPN and RN ones that are different take the RN level anatomy and microbiology etc. That way you can keep your options open. You can look at smaller private colleges that may not have long waiting periods.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, ER, Peds ER-CPEN.

I wish money were no problem but I still am happy with my choice of the RN program, I couldn't apply to the LPN program because I didn't have enough time to get one last class in before deadline, so I put all my eggs in one basket and prayed for the best and got in first time, all said I will have spent 3 years, but I also have almost all of my gen ed requirements for a future bachelor's degree done so I'm still comming out ahead in the end.

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Oh, definitely the RN, and then onto a BSN and then MSN as a pratitioner.

:)

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Specializes in LTC,Med surg-Telemetry,alzheimers,home h.
I'd go for the RN for a couple of reasons:

1. Greater job flexibility - you can work more places as an RN.

2. The pay is better. In some cases, I see hospital LPNs doing much the same work as an RN but they make about $5/hr less than an RN with almost the same duties.

3. The cost of your education will be cheaper in the long run if you go straight to RN.

Please be aware that most 2 year RN programs do take about 3 years to complete due to the pre-reqs.

Best wishes, whatever you choose. :)

No money problem, ill definately go for the RN. Ill apply to all the programs LPN, RN and BSN and see which one i get in. If i get accepted to all three, ill choose BSN in a heartbeat

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Specializes in SICU.
If time and money were not a problem I would go for a masters degree in nursing from the start. If you find you don't like bedside nursing then you can easily go to teaching, adminstrative etc.

I am finding it is difficult to go back to school after many years.

I don't think ANYONE should be allowed to get a Master's degree in nursing without having bedside experience. How does one become a "master" nurse without having ever nursed? How do you teach someone to nurse if you've never done it? How can you be in an administrative position without ever having been in the position of the people below you?

It's frustrating to me to be told how to nurse, or how to staff, or how to manage my time, by people that have no real world nursing experience!

Okay, rant over. ;) (and snowfreeze, this was just a vent, NOT directed toward you, you merely brought up the subject, lol...)

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Specializes in NICU, High-Risk L&D, IBCLC.

Unless your love is LTC, go straight for the RN. You won't be disappointed.

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