LPN program, RN Associates, OR RN-BSN??? I'm torn.

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I don't know what path I want to take. I already have my CNA and worked as a CNA for 2 years now and gained some experience. Now I'm looking into Nursing School but I am torn of what to do: It's either doing the LPN program(in which i could start this january), RN Associates Degree, or RN-BSN degree...I seriuosly don't know which is best but i'm leaning towards the LPN program first. Here's why:

I want to do the LPN program first because I would love to gain a lot of experience because i want to be a good nurse! I say start out lower and move your way up. After my lpn program is completed, i would get straight into the RN program at my local community college. BUT i don't know if community college is the way to go. I don't want any management positions because i don't want that responsibility so i honestly don't think i'll need a BSN.

Do you agree? Am I making the right decision??

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Sounds like a good plan. Go for the LPN and see what happens.

But don't rule out a BSN, which you can always get the way many of us did by going ADN to BSN. The BSN might come in handy years from now, and it's not just for management positions.

Good luck!

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

Go for the highest nursing degree possible. Even if you are not interested in managerial positions, there are still numerous jobs out there that have nothing to do with management that are "BSN-preferred." In addition, your body might not be able to handle the physical demands of bedside nursing in 20 years; therefore, the BSN will give you options away from the bedside.

I am an LVN who is pursuing the RN licensure. Many of my LVN coworkers talk about pursuing higher education, but family obligations and other life interruptions always seem to get in the way of their plans to return to school for the RN license.

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Specializes in PACU.

I recommend getting into the highest level program that you can get into the soonest that is convenient for you. That way you can start working as a nurse (likely making considerably more than you are as a CNA) as soon as possible and then upgrade later. Being an LPN first won't necessarily make you a better RN, but it does often make it somewhat quicker and easier to get into an ADN program.

In my case, the most convenient (and timely) option was an LPN program about 10 minutes from my house. I have been working for a bit over a year as an LPN and am hopefully going to start an LPN-RN program in April or September. After I'm an RN, I'll begin working on a BSN online.

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Go for LPN I've that same feeling about two weeks ago so I'm going with LPN. I want also to become a damn good nurse.:nurse::studyowl:

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