Is it a waste of money to become an LPN,only to work as one for a few years?

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hi, i am having a hard time deciding what i should do. i have been working as a cna for the past year. i am almost finished with all of the pre-reqs required for the 2 year nursing degree. i go to school in ak. here to be accepted and actually start the 2 yr rn program, you are academically competing for a spot each semester. they only allow 32 students a year. they estimate around 130-150 people apply to get in each year. i'm in ok academic standings and i have great references and experiences (all the things they look at in determining your rank) but i don't think that i am in the top 30's. then again i don't know what all the other 149 people have compared to me. i am considering taking an lpn training course, that starts in january 2007 and cost 5000 dollars, but you get college credit towards your first year of rn training and this company has a contract with my school to guarantee any graduated lpn a spot in the second year of rn training. i want to become an rn, but i am debating if i should take the lpn class because the rn application is due feb 1 2007,( you don't find out until months later if you have been accepted) and if i decide to go through with the lpn course and then i receive a letter saying that i am admitted to the rn program in fall, i would have to drop the lpn training half way through, wasting all that money that i don't have. if i decide not to take the lpn class and i don't get accepted then i will just be waiting around to get accepted into the rn, and that could be 2-3 years easily. would it be a huge waste of money to become an lpn to only be working as one for a few years?? thank you for your help.

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Too many people go the LPN route intending to only do it for a short while, get sidetracked and 20 years later still wish they were an RN. I'd say do the LPN thing now but DROP it if accepted into the RN school You will lose money in the short run but an RN an a lot quicker and start making alot better money, not to mention self esteem for meeting your goal.

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Specializes in Brain Injury Rehabilitation.

I got my LPN first, actually this summer and will be going online to get my RN in the next year or so. I am doing this so I can make more money and gain valuable experience for nursing school (make more $ while in school too). I have worked in nursing as a tech and CNA since 1998-I like learning gradually and having knowledge as I am in the program. You'll find many accelerated programs for LPNs too where you may get your RN in just over a year(depending on pre-reqs). At a community college here, I'd have my RN in one year since I have pre-reqs done already. I think it is worth it. You have to make yourself not sit and let time go by. I get frustrated at times, wishing I had just got my RN-but then again, I'd have nothing right now and I am still learning so much every day. For the most part, I have chosen the right path for me. I think LPN has really prepped me for what will come with RN-I feel ready and sure of myself.

This is a personal choice for you and what you are sure you can do. If you think that you'll hop back on the wagon and get your RN soon after, then I say go for the LPN. I don't think you'll ever regret it. If you aren't sure then apply for both-whatever you do will be good for you, I'm sure. I hope I was able to help you!

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Specializes in PICU, ED, Infection Control, Education, cardiology.

I got my LPN first and it was a great way to ease my self into nursing. I'm from NY and you can bridge into a program and it will only take an extra year to get through an ADN program, so tahts where I'm at now and will be done in May '07. I don't know where your from and if thats hopw it is there. My area is also very packed with waiting lists to get into programs. We have 7 nursing schools around me and each one has a minimum of 2 years. The great thing about going into the second year as an LPN is people have failed or dropped out so there is more openings. Thats how I squeezed in and everyonje else was stuck on the list. So thats ia good point you may want to take into consideration.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

It was not a waste of money OR time for me.

OP, you do what you think is best for you.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I was an in an 1+1 program when I went to school: your first year you did pre-reqs for the RN program, then second year you did the LPN clinicals/classes and then third year, you got the RN (ADN) part. Hubby was in the military at the time and we had to move after the LPN part. However, I was able to bridge in three semesters and get the ADN.

For me, it worked out fine. I knew going into the program that I wanted the RN and when we moved, I went right back to school. If I had to do it over, I would have just gone straight for the RN.

However, as other posters state: you never know what's going to happen in life and even the best laid plans sometimes get side-tracked.

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I don't think any education is ever a waste. Given the circumstances you describe, I think I would start the LPN program and drop it if I had to. Easy for me to say; it's not my money. But most of us who are RNs have dropped money on additional classes and/or training, dropped classes, etc. Spending money - and sometimes wasting money- on your professional education and skills is just a given.

Only you can decide what's best for you.

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