LPN OR RN?

[Ataylo1452]

I'm considering going to school for some form of Nursing. I've been working as a busing assistant/med tech @ assisted living facilities. I currently have about 67 college credits mainly prerequisites & HCA program classes &possess a Nursing Assistant& Phlebotomy Certificates. I just wanna know what would be the best route in and what do you guys qualifies a person as a good nursing candidate. Also, I had an interview at at Beaumont & she basically said I had the job but I have to wait to hear from Human Resources which is timely but she also mentioned them paying for school.

[Jules A, MSN]

Take your transcripts to schools you are interested in and see what they can offer you. I personally did my LPN first because it afforded me the ability to work as a nurse fairly quickly and make decent money with a flexible schedule while I went back to school for my ADN. With your credits it might be as quick and make more sense to get your associates first. Either way in most areas the jobs probably won't be as plentiful as for BSNs but if you aren't too picky you should definitely be able to find work. Consider your clinical experiences as extended job/ interviews and see what units and specialties you might want to pursue as a new graduate if they are hiring whatever type of nurse you will be when you graduate. Good luck.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Like the previous poster, I started as an LPN before becoming an RN. LPN licensure enabled me to work a full-time flexible schedule while attending school full time.

My yearly pay during my LPN years ranged from a low of $45k to a high of $62k, so I lived somewhat comfortably during those years.