LPN OR BSN

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Hey everyone, I am so confused about what I should do at this point with my nursing career. I have been a CNA for 7 years and at this point im making ok money, however my ultimate goal has to always been return back to school. I have a fair amount of pre requsites done however I need more for most schools. Ive been debating about going into a lpn program or going straight for my bsn. I have two kids and I am a newly divorcee' I am in the pa area

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Where are the jobs at in your area? As a long term CNA, you may make less money as a new LPN. Unless you are able to transition at your current place of employment.

And if you like where you work, I would have conversation with the manager/DON to talk about your goals and how you can fit them into where you are now.

Are there hospital jobs for new grad BSN's in your area? Once you become an RN, you usually can't work as a CNA in many facilities.

Best wishes!

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Specializes in CVICU.

I would say go for the BSN. You will have many more work opportunities and opportunities for career advancement. It will obviously take longer and cost more, but it will be worth it. I have several friends who are LPN's and knowing what they know now (having been working in various settings as LPN's for the past few years), they all wish they had gone straight for their RN from the start. If you think you may one day want to be an RN, just go for it. LPN-RN bridge programs are usually just as rigorous as traditional RN programs. I say this knowing several RNs who were once LPN's. You still have to attend lecture, do clinicals, and take the NCLEX-RN. Might as well get it over with the first go around if you think you'll eventually want to be an RN or APRN (which entails being an RN).

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Specializes in Geriatrics,Hospice, Rehab.

I would highly suggest that you go straight for your BSN, if you can. However, not everyone has that luxury.

For my current situation, I want to be a nurse sooner so I can pay off previous college loan debt. I don't have the financial aid to pay for another bachelors degree, but my financial aid will pay the LPN program in full. So LPN is the way to go for me.

At least, I will be a nurse sooner, gain experience, and make decent money while I get my RN. I will only have to do one more year of nursing school. I plan on saving money for my ASN or BSN.

The LPN to RN bridge programs, in my area, consist of hybird classes. So I can work as a LPN full time while taking classes that are flexible around my schedule: you can't do this if you go straight for your BSN.

The above poster is correct that the LPN to RN programs are extremely competitive. But if you really want something, you go after it regardless of how competitive it is.

Good luck with your decision.

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You are soo right and thank you for your comment. I am pursuing n comm. rn and a bsn program. Either one will do thank u!!!!

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I am a CNA now and alot of the fellow nurses that work at my job have instructed me to do the same. Thank u!

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Yes i am currently making 18.00 as a pool cna so it technically is enough for me t get by and make it 2 or 3 more years in school

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Specializes in Geriatrics,Hospice, Rehab.

Well, good! You should go for it. I don't even make anything close to $18 an hour as a CNA.

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lol only pool but my job constantly needs help so i can make do with that and i have a second job as well..

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