Job-out option

[cmonkey]

My school offers a year off between LPN and RN as a job-out option. You get to keep your spot, basically, and can go back for the RN without having to be on the wait list again. I can see positives and negatives to taking the option and wondered if anyone has done it. Are you glad or do you wish you'd just slogged through to the RN? Is that year of experience worth the extra year of waiting for the RN?

Of course, I'm jumping the gun here, but I like to have at least a hazy vision on the horizon.

[rn/writer, RN]

My school offers a year off between LPN and RN as a job-out option. You get to keep your spot, basically, and can go back for the RN without having to be on the wait list again. I can see positives and negatives to taking the option and wondered if anyone has done it. Are you glad or do you wish you'd just slogged through to the RN? Is that year of experience worth the extra year of waiting for the RN?

Of course, I'm jumping the gun here, but I like to have at least a hazy vision on the horizon.

I didn't do what you are talking about, but I do have some thoughts on the subject.

On the positive side, you could earn some money by working for a year. That might give you a cushion when you return to school. You could also gain valuable experience working on the floor. Many people do better when they have a chance to put "theory" into "application" by putting the book knowledge into practice. You might also be able to take advantage of an employee reimbursement program to help pay for your RN degree. You'll have a leg up on "real world" organizational skills and time management. You will have learned things that aren't taught in a classroom or clinical setting.

On the down side, you could lose your momentum. It might be difficult to give up the paycheck when it's time to go back. Some people never do return, despite the best of intentions. Even if they do, it isn't always easy to resume the good study habits you are now accustomed to. If others you have been close to are continuing immediately, you could lose close contact with your friends. Another consideration is that sometimes you learn "real world" practices that would get you in trouble in nursing school--not because they are wrong, but because they are different. You could easily gain an independence that might be a challenge to set aside when you re-enter a clinical situation.

A lot to think about. I wish you the best, no matter what choice you make.

[cmonkey]

Fabulous, thanks so much. I do worry about losing momentum. Pretty much the only thing I finish is dessert, so stopping in the middle of a program in the name of experience may be the kiss of death for me. Then again, it might be what I need to light the fire under me. Too much to think about!

Thanks again.

Oddly enough,

Miranda, too.