Im just not sure what to do.

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I am 21 yrs old and I am getting ready to start my pre-reqs in sept.

I am so undecided about what I should do. Should I get LPN or just go for RN. My friend said she is going to get her LPN then get a job and then go back for her RN. That way she'll start making better money faster. I was just going to go for my RN but then I started thinking what if I cant get a job because of no experience or something. I just feel like I dont know much about this and any advice would be appreciated. So which would be better? LPN to RN or just RN

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I'm just a student too, so I don't have been-there-done-that experience, but here's my thoughts:

I was considering going for LPN first as well. However, I read everywhere how LPN's are being phased out. Plus long-term care is not my main interest. From what I have read, LPN takes about a year, right? Well if you have your pre-reqs done, my school's RN is about that same amount of time (4 semesters, so like a year and a third). If you want to get your RN anyway, I say go for that over the LPN.

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I took a rather unusual route (due to really crazy circumstances). I am a LPN but I am now in my final semester of my RN program. I sat for the NCLEX-PN because I had already finished all but the last semester of my RN program. I could not find a job as a LPN to save my life. The bridge programs in my area wanted 1,000 hours of experience working as a LPN. Kinda hard to get the experience without a job lol. So just a week ago I traveled across the country to the state where I originally attended nursing school and I'm doing my final semester. It's costing an arm and a leg, but it's worth it. I know I'll be able to get a job as a RN. My home state allows CNA's to take a six week course that allows them to pass meds. So basically LPN's are obsolete....they just make the RN's work harder lol.

Here's another thought.....

If you are considering working as a LPN to get experience so that you'll have a relatively easier time in your RN program (or just have a leg up on clinical stuff)....I wouldn't bother. There's the academic way of doing things and the real world way of doing things. You could find yourself thinking that something should be done one way because that's how you did it at your job as a LPN, only to find that it's a big fat no-no at school or whatever.

Get the pre-reqs, get into the RN program, graduate...live long and prosper. LOL. Good luck!

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thank you both so much. I was also thinking why waste the time getting my LPN when I can just get RN in about the same amount of time! I am going to stick with my original thoughts and just go for my RN! thank you both again! :D

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You're very welcome Kacey! Welcome to Allnurses....there's a crazy amount of information for students here. :yeah:

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get your RN. might as well get it over with. personally, i'd find it difficult to be poor and go to school, then work as an LPN and make OK money, and then have to give that up and be poor again to get my RN. You might as well be poor all the way through. You can't miss what you don't know.

:)

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Just get your RN. Concentrate on studying without having the stress of working and studying if you can.

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I'm going to 2nd, 3rd (4th?) the RN sentiments. Where I live you have basically no chance of getting a job as an LPN right now. RN jobs are really hard to come by so all of the new grad RN's (and even some w/ experience) are taking all of the LPN jobs at the nursing homes here.

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Specializes in Nursing Assistant.

I had the same question last year. I looked at what the 2 programs cost and an (ADN) RN degree is about $10 000 at my community college and an LPN degree is $11 000.

I decided to save some money and go for my RN. I'm happy to say I'm starting Nursing school in 2 weeks.I would say go directly for your RN it saves you time and money :up:

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get your RN. might as well get it over with. personally, i'd find it difficult to be poor and go to school, then work as an LPN and make OK money, and then have to give that up and be poor again to get my RN. You might as well be poor all the way through. You can't miss what you don't know.

:)

that is true! lol thank you

thank you everyone. I feel alot better about going for RN and not wasting the time and money. I also worried that I would put getting my RN off alot longer if I got my LPN.

Im glad i found this website. Very helpful!!:)

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Take the prerequisites for and apply to RN school. If you are not accepted, or the wait period is too long, then consider entering an LPN program and using the LPN to RN option. That way you are approaching the goal from two angles. Meanwhile get a CNA certificate and work a part time schedule while you are going to school. Good luck with your future plans.

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I was thinking about getting a CNA certificate. I will most likely do that. thank you

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