LPN or BSN

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jan 26, 2016

Have you looked in your area in terms of jobs?

What do you want flexibility and ability to advance away from the bedside or in another position-think advance practice or education or management-when you are approaching retirement?

Is there a financial factor to consider?

There are many avenues in becoming a nurse; if you want to have flexibility.

A PN program will give you a pathway to become a nurse in a short-time; depending on the facility and the state, you may enjoy a wide scope of practice and a comfortable income; the only downside is while you are working alongside RNs, possibly doing the same thing, may even be expanding your knowledge faster, it will be moot because if you want to be certified in a specialty, such as Pediatrics, Rehab, Emergency nursing, etc, you can become certified in your specialty; you have to be an RN to do that.

That was my main reason that I returned to school when I was a LPN.

Depending on your area, it would be best to get your BSN, especially if they hire BSNs first, especially if you want to work in a hospital, or you want a federal government job, or you desire to become an educator eventually or a graduate degree...you never know where life can take you; you may find yourself needing to return to school or have an interest where you may need a graduate degree-you will may be in a position where you can transition to that degree sooner.

If getting a BSN is your option, you can start out at the community college level for your pre-reqs, then transfer to a four-year college; that saved me a TON of money; I found out which nursing schools I was interested in and then tailored my classes for the school's I was interested in transferring into.

Whatever you decide, find out where you would be interested in working, what career path you would decide to take if any opportunities arise, financial considerations, and make a plan.

Best wishes.

lindseylpn · Jan 26, 2016

It depends on your state and what area you would like to work in. If you live in a state that really utilizes LPNs then getting your LPN could be worth your while. If you don't or only want to work in a hospital then definitely go for your RN. In my area LPNs work in LTC, skilled facilities/rehab, clinics, group homes, home health, private duty, school nursing, vocational nursing, insurance companies, jails and even some hospitals but, RNs mainly work in the hospitals. The LPNs probably outnumber the RNs in all areas except the hospital. If you live in an area that utilizes LPNs, want a quicker degree and are willing to work in areas outside the hospital you could consider getting your LPN. If you have the time and patience though go for your RN. I don't regret getting my LPN at all, I love my job but, I would like to bridge to an RN at some point. If I never do though, I'm okay with that. Good luck.

XNavyCorpsman · Jan 27, 2016

Do NOT go to LPN school. If time is your problem seek out a ADN program and let the place of hire pay for your BSN. But, you will need to get your BSN at some point in time.

Seattlemamalama · Jan 27, 2016

Phasing out of LPN is not a myth. Some areas might still heavily utilities them but only for so much longer.... Given some more time and they won't be able to hold their own ground anymore. Since the OP is young then it would be advisable NOT to do LPN baca use she will encounter many differences at the later half of her career.

LessValuableNinja · Jan 27, 2016

My dos centavos:

When I was younger than you, I became an LPN. But I was in the Army and got to blow things up too, so it was a little different. I didn't know I wanted to be a nurse at the time, but became one. If I'd known at the time that I wanted to become a nurse, the now me would recommend to the then me to go straight to BSN.

Many years later, and returning to nursing, I'll say this:

Those under 30 are much more likely to graduate from their first (RN) license program as a BSN. ADNs are more likely to be over 30. It may have been split at 32, I'm not sure - been a couple weeks since I was reading about it. Anyhow. I believe that reason is likely because the older you get and the more financial and life responsibilities you gain (which tend to come with age), the harder it is to do longer programs.

You're still young, so I think that's +1 for recommending BSN right off the bat.

I'm not sure how it is where you live, but around here it's actually just as hard or harder to get into ADN programs, possibly because their faster.

So apply to both.

LVN - at your age, and with the increasing push-out of LVNs from hospitals, I wouldn't recommend unless you need to commit to a career yesterday. That said, it is the fastest.

BSN - MSN is much faster than ADN-BSN-MSN, or LVN-ADN-BSN-MSN. So if you ever want to be a nurse educator, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist or whatever, another reason to go with BSN.

I don't know your particular situation, but if you can stick it out through a BSN, I'd generally recommend that to someone starting nursing in their early 20's.

Chrissygraduatenurse, LPN · Jan 27, 2016

Phasing out of LPN is not a myth. Some areas might still heavily utilities them but only for so much longer.... Given some more time and they won't be able to hold their own ground anymore. Since the OP is young then it would be advisable NOT to do LPN baca use she will encounter many differences at the later half of her career.

People have been saying that for years, yet LPN schools are still in business and new LPN graduates are entering the workforce. Some places have a preference but there will always be jobs for LPNs. The phasing out myth has been going on forever.

Seattlemamalama · Jan 28, 2016

...shoot myth or not I am not going to risk it, I'm getting my BSN

I prefer the role of a RN either way.

XNavyCorpsman · Jan 28, 2016

try getting a job in a hospital as an LPN.

Chrissygraduatenurse, LPN · Jan 28, 2016

try getting a job in a hospital as an LPN.

Absolutely Cooper hospital, Crozier Chester , Abington hospital, University of Penn are all highering

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jan 28, 2016

Absolutely Cooper hospital, Crozier Chester , Abington hospital, University of Penn are all highering

Abington stopped hiring LPNs in the hospital in 2005-I worked there 2003-2005 as a tech and when I graduated and became licensed as a LPN, management would NOT give me a job. They have a Progressive Care unit-which is like LTC, not an acute area of the hospital; they may hire as a scrub tech, but not floor nursing; when I worked there LPNs worked in Med-Surg, Telemetry, L&D/Nursery, and Emergency to name a few units-not any more; there are a few LPNs left, but not at the capacity and the amount when I worked there over 10 years ago.

Penn hires LPNs for their Sub-Acute Rehab-I was a nursing Supervisor there a year ago; they MAY hire LPNs for their ED, but as a Tech, and they prefer EMTs and paramedics.

I only can speak to some the places that you list where I have worked.

I was a LPN 2005-2012, and most of my work has been out side the hospital setting-with the exception of Magee Rehab, even around 2009/10, there were leaning towards hiring RNs only and only hire RNs at the time.

Most hospitals in the Delaware Valley in the Philly Metro area, rather, in the city within the major hospital health systems hire LPNs for clinics and Sub-Acute settings, not Hospital floor nursing anymore-very rarely, especially when there are a glut of RNs-RNs, especially BSNs are in top of the pecking order of hires since 2008.

Also, keep in mind that the OP may not be in our area...she may be in an area where LPNs are still hired in hospitals.

Chrissygraduatenurse, LPN · Jan 28, 2016

Abington stopped hiring LPNs in the hospital in 2005-I worked there 2003-2005 as a tech and when I graduated and became licensed as a LPN, management would NOT give me a job. They have a Progressive Care unit-which is like LTC, not an acute area of the hospital; they may hire as a scrub tech, but not floor nursing; when I worked there LPNs worked in Med-Surg, Telemetry, L&D/Nursery, and Emergency to name a few units-not any more; there are a few LPNs left, but not at the capacity and the amount when I worked there over 10 years ago.
Penn hires LPNs for their Sub-Acute Rehab-I was a nursing Supervisor there a year ago; they MAY hire LPNs for their ED, but as a Tech, and they prefer EMTs and paramedics.
I only can speak to some the places that you list where I have worked.
I was a LPN 2005-2012, and most of my work has been out side the hospital setting-with the exception of Magee Rehab, even around 2009/10, there were leaning towards hiring RNs only and only hire RNs at the time.
Most hospitals in the Delaware Valley in the Philly Metro area, rather, in the city within the major hospital health systems hire LPNs for clinics and Sub-Acute settings, not Hospital floor nursing anymore-very rarely, especially when there are a glut of RNs-RNs, especially BSNs are in top of the pecking order of hires since 2008.
Also, keep in mind that the OP may not be in our area...she may be in an area where LPNs are still hired in hospitals.[/
check the site. Thanks

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jan 28, 2016

check the site. Thanks

Did that already...stand by what I posted plus know several nurse recruiters from the major city hospitals;also keep in mind they can advertise but still don't fill positions, especially when the priority is to hire a nurse with a full scope for the acute areas-no positions in Med-Surg, Maternity, ER are hiring LPNs in the city hospitals...and the Children's Hospitals hire RNs only for all floors.

No "acute care LPNs" no more-that was the point of my post-If one is in the Philadelphia, PA area and wants to work in a specialty, best bet is to go for RN, preferably BSN, because that is the priority.

But thanks for playing newbie!