LPN, BSN, MSN?

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I'm sure this has been asked and answered before, but I couldn't find a direct answer with the search. I just graduated with a bachelor's in liberal arts (degree completion program) and find myself at a career crossroads. I'm strongly considering nursing but would like some advice on which career path. A little background: I'm 39, married, kids 10 & 12, spouse doesn't work (rheumatoid arthritis). 3.2gpa. There is a local tech program that offers a 1 year LPN program ($5000) that I think I have a good shot at being admitted to. I could take science classes while working then do ADN at local community college ($7000). I could take science prerequisites and try for accelerated BSN ($27000 in state). Finally I could take science prerequisites and try for accelerated MSN program for NP ($100k?). My end goal is independent practice NP, regardless of where I start. Any thoughts are welcome, and constructive advice appreciated.

Greg

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

What nursing specialty do you envision yourself working in? Keep in mind that hospitals in many cities and states no longer hire LPNs and new grad RNs with associate degrees. Therefore, if you want to start your career at a hospital, the BSN might be necessary in your area.

If you are willing to start your career in home health, private duty, nursing homes, hospice, corrections, psych, developmental disabilities, or other non-hospital areas, the LPN to ADN would be the most affordable option.

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Suppose I did the LPN program. I know there are LPN-BSN programs out there. With already having a bachelor's would the LPN-BSN program be shorter for me?

Another concern is financing. I'm confident I can work weekends while in the LPN program and we'll survive for the year. But financing the LPN program, then the bridge program would be potentially problematic. If I go direct entry MSN it's all grad school, for which financing is really available.

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Specializes in Primary Care.

"I'm strongly considering nursing..." What are your motivators for considering nursing? Do you have any medical work history? Depending on your answer, I'd say the best route would be to do the LPN route first, the fastest and cheapest route to decide if nursing is for you. If so, there are lots of LPN-to-RN and LPN-to-BSN programs, and other bridge-style programs.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
If I go direct entry MSN it's all grad school, for which financing is really available.
However, financing $100k in student loan debt for a direct entry MSN program is not the wisest proposition in my humble opinion. The debt will be a ball and chain that will weigh you down for many years.

You could finance the LPN, ADN and BSN programs with private student loans at today's low interest rates. I recently obtained a fixed-rate private student loan through Sun Trust at 3.99% interest that is fixed for the life of the loan.

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"I'm strongly considering nursing..." What are your motivators for considering nursing? Do you have any medical work history? Depending on your answer, I'd say the best route would be to do the LPN route first, the fastest and cheapest route to decide if nursing is for you. If so, there are lots of LPN-to-RN and LPN-to-BSN programs, and other bridge-style programs.

I won't lie, one of the motivating factors is money. NP start around $55/hr in my area, often with some form of student loan repayment as well, and the industry is projected to have much better than average growth. Also, the length of time that I could work would likely be greater than in other areas. For example, I have 13 years in manufacturing, and it has taken a toll on my body. I think that as a NP I could work for more years with less wear and tear. Not only that, but if I ever tired of practicing medicine I could always teach.

Another factor is that I think I would be good at it. I've always been good at math and science, and as an amateur bodybuilder for a few years, I know a bit more about the human body than the average person. I've taken several of the personality diagnostic tests (not the gimpy ones on facebook, but the ones professional career coaches use) and one of the careers that keeps coming up is medicine. While I have no doubt I could survive, and thrive, in medical school, I'm also a realist: I'm 39 and have a family to support. It would take at least two more years of undergrad classes, then med school, then residency, etc, etc to be a doctor. I can be a NP in ~4 years.

Finally, my cousin has been a nurse for a few years, and after traveling for a couple of years is on a weekend shift in a step-down unit. He works 3 days a week and will make more than I would've in a factory working 6 days a week. I know not everyone lands those jobs, but as a NP in Arkansas I can go into private practice alone. The idea of being my own boss appeals to me greatly.

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However, financing $100k in student loan debt for a direct entry MSN program is not the wisest proposition in my humble opinion. The debt will be a ball and chain that will weigh you down for many years.

You could finance the LPN, ADN and BSN programs with private student loans at today's low interest rates. I recently obtained a fixed-rate private student loan through Sun Trust at 3.99% interest that is fixed for the life of the loan.

The student loan debt doesn't really scare me that much, honestly. That may sound naive, but I've known many professionals that took on major student loan debt to finance their education, and none that I've known would hesitate to do it again. As I mentioned in another reply, average pay around my area is $55/hr in a hospital setting, around $125k/year in a private office/walk-in. With the potential to earn that or more, even financing our living expenses for the duration of the program doesn't worry me overmuch.

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Specializes in 15 years in ICU, 22 years in PACU.

It seems foolish to aim for a $100K advanced degree in a career you have absolutely no experience in.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
The student loan debt doesn't really scare me that much, honestly. That may sound naive, but I've known many professionals that took on major student loan debt to finance their education, and none that I've known would hesitate to do it again. As I mentioned in another reply, average pay around my area is $55/hr in a hospital setting, around $125k/year in a private office/walk-in. With the potential to earn that or more, even financing our living expenses for the duration of the program doesn't worry me overmuch.
It seems you've already made your decision, although I cannot validate it in good faith. Good luck to you.
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Specializes in Nursey stuff.

What is your primary motivation for entering the profession of nursing? You answered: Money

You also mentioned that you worked in manufacturing and that it has taken a toll on your body. Not a auspicious start to your career in health care, however I digress.

Okay here goes... I am going to lead you down the unemotional career path, strictly goal attainment, ahem...money.

I would suggest (and this is difficult for me to say as I was an LPN) you skip the LPN training and look into becoming a licensed Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). These programs exist in your area and my reason for suggesting going this route are for the following reasons. First, you will be spending a few hundred dollars, (rather than thousands) and just a couple months learning basic theoretical and practical working skills that leads to licensing and can possibly get you an entry position within long term care. You may find that you cannot tolerate the physical work (lifting, positioning bathing, toileting), long hours on your feet, smell of bodily waste, sight of blood, or sick people.

While you are working, get the prerequisites needed for the BSN program out of the way, because once you start the program, it will be a lot easier on you if you just have to focus on the nursing core classes and clinical. I will tell you the biggest Aha moment for nursing students is when that lament the realization that they have to study—differently—they have to think, process, and learn critical reasoning. No disrespect intended, but nursing is not liberal arts (although it is an art and a science). Depending on some hospitals/colleges, (I am from Northern Ohio) student nurses, usually at the end of their second year, can apply for nursing assistant positions. These are paying positions, it is competitive, but if you keep your nose clean, and continue to excel in your skills and knowledge, and take advantage of the experiences, and have an open attitude towards learning, you might be offered a position upon graduation and passing the NCLEX, woo hoo !

BSN-MSN bridge I do not recommend unless you have been an working RN (diploma or associate degree) for a few years. Ditto upon studying to be a NP.

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Specializes in Education, Skills & Simulation, Med/Surg, Pharm.

$27,000 for a RN-BSN program?! Holy cow.

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Specializes in acute care, case management.

The decision is ultimately yours. Nursing is not an easy money-making career. It takes a toll on your mind, body and soul. It's not for everyone. I think you really need to consider what it can do for you, and what will you be able to bring into nursing. I think that if you're in it for the money, you will be unhappy in your career and life, and what good is that? Try volunteering at a nursing home, or hospital.

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