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

Some nursing schools require a CNA certificate as part of the application process while others will give you points on your application for having the certificate. Plus you are getting experience in health care as well as a small income. You can't beat getting a CNA certificate on your way to licensed nurse.

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Specializes in LTC.

The way the program that I'm entering (next month) works is it's 4 quarters (after pre-reqs) to become a LPN, then you can leave the program or finish out the additional 3 quarters to become a RN. I'm going to try to go all the way, mainly because I already feel a close bond with the other students (most of us were in A and P 1 and 2, and microbiology together), so to form that bond, then leave nursing school only to enter with a whole group of people that I don't know, don't feel a bond with, is scary! Also because like someone said...if I got my LPN then worked for awhile, I think I'd like the money too much to give it up! This is the girl who makes $10 and that's the most I've EVER made per hour...so making a LPNs wages is going to be good money to me....however where I work LPNs and RNs pretty much function in the same way so why should I do what the RN is doing (RN is doing a few extra duties) and make less money...it'd just make more sense to me to go the whole 7 quarters. Of course I'll get my LPN cause that's a requirement for the last 3 quarters...and I'll work as such while I have off time from school.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I go back and forth between LPN and RN. I'm in my last year of pre-reqs (I go part-time) and will have another 2 years of actual nursing school before I'm finished. We're trying to support a family of 5 on about $30,000/year (I'm a CNA and DH gets SSDI) and it's just not working! Going to LPN school first and making $14/hour instead of $8.25/hour at my job would be much better for us. Then I think, why waste time at LPN school when I can just go straight to RN? If I don't get into the RN program next fall, I'm going to LPN school.

I'm tired of being broke. Do you have any kids? If not, just go straight for the RN because you can live off less money while in school than you could if you had 3 like I do.

Oh, before anyone brings up being able to get Government assistance if you have kids, that's not always true. We make slightly too much to qualify for foodstamps but not enough to buy good, healthy food all the time.

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I dont have any kids. I just got married in may. My DH and I work at Frischs a resturant. I make 8.35/hr and he makes 9.10/hr. I also make just a little to much for foodstamps. Together me and him make almost 30,000 a yr. I am also tired of being broke. I think i will see about getting my CNA certificate and then go straight for RN. I also worry about the wait list for nursing school. BUT i havent even started my pre reqs yet so i have time to see what happens. :)

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