Is it worth it to get LPN license while still in nursing school?

meljonumd · Mar 11, 2014

Unless you are planning on working a significant amount, meaning making a significant contribution to your resume, then I don't think it would be appropriate.

A new grad BSN is still a new grad BSN, no matter what experience or prior degrees you bring to the table.

And a new grad BSN with "only" very limited experience as an LPN really doesn't matter much.

RN9742 · Mar 11, 2014

If you intend to work as a LPN, then yes it could be beneficial. However if you do not plan to work as an LPN, it really will not make a difference.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Mar 11, 2014

sounds like a waste of time and money to me, if you are committed to the RN path. If you need to work right away, that is another story

elkpark · Mar 11, 2014

I taught in an ADN program years ago in which some of the faculty encouraged students to get an LPN license halfway through, and some students did so and took LPN jobs because they needed or wanted the extra income during their second year of the nursing program. This is what I observed:

The local nursing homes told our students all kinds of wonderful stuff about the extensive orientation they would get and how they would be happy to work around the students' school schedule. However, once they were employed, they found they got a few days orientation and were suddenly doing med passes for 40 or 50 people. And the part about working with their school schedules wasn't true, either. Several students came close to failing out of school because trying to keep up with the job was taking so much of their time and energy. Nearly everyone ended up resigning the LPN jobs, and the few who didn't just barely squeaked by in school.

It]s really hard to be a full-time nursing student AND a brand-new LPN at the same time. My advice is to not do it nless you just don't have an option. And, if you're not going to work as an LPN, there's absolutely no reason to get the license

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Mar 11, 2014

Finally, having had an LPN license and worked as an LPN will not gain you any brownie points at all with HR when you apply for an RN job as a new grad. When they ask about applicable experience for the RN position you seek, your answer will still be "none yet."

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Mar 11, 2014

Getting into a hospital as a pct may be more valuable because you can access the internal postings shortly before you graduate and try to apply for those positions. It's not a guarantee but it's a step in the right direction.

pixiestudent2 · Mar 11, 2014

I would get it... Kinda like a back up, what if something beyond your control comes up that doesn't allow you to finish the program? I wouldn't worry about finding work as an Lpn but I would get a license... Just in case.

tsm007 · Mar 12, 2014

I would get it... Kinda like a back up, what if something beyond your control comes up that doesn't allow you to finish the program? I wouldn't worry about finding work as an Lpn but I would get a license... Just in case.

Totally agree with this one. I would do it. I don't have that option and have no intention to work as an LPN, but if I had the option I would take it. I've had life hand me enough curve balls to know that sometimes things happen that you don't plan on. If I had the choice for taking the LPN test as a back up I would totally do it.

RN9742 · Mar 12, 2014

I would get it... Kinda like a back up what if something beyond your control comes up that doesn't allow you to finish the program? I wouldn't worry about finding work as an Lpn but I would get a license... Just in case.[/quote'] Most likely if something did happen, she would be able to take it still. She has the minimum education needed at this point, that will not change.

elkpark · Mar 12, 2014

Most likely if something did happen, she would be able to take it still. She has the minimum education needed at this point, that will not change.

This ^^. It's not a "one time offer;" if something happens to derail the RN program, if you qualified to sit the NCLEX-PN halfway through your program, you'll still qualify to sit it later on, if you decide you really need the license. Otherwise, it's a bunch of effort and expense that you don't need to invest.

tsm007 · Mar 12, 2014

Most likely if something did happen, she would be able to take it still. She has the minimum education needed at this point, that will not change.

It depends on the school. This is my second attempt at nursing school. I had to drop from a program and I can't find it in writing, but I remember with the school I was in you had to take it after that term or it wasn't an option later. I dropped prior to the point of being able to test out of the LPN portion. If the option is there to take it later then I'd totally agree with you, but I'd clarify and make sure that I could take it at any point in time down the road regardless of my status in school (passing or failing etc.).