Lpn Returning to school after 21 years needs advice

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Hi everyone, I'm really hoping I can find some good advice. I'm new to joining allnurses but I have scrolled through and read several related topics to my question...just not finding the advice I need. I've been an LPN for almost 21 years now. 5 of those years I worked at an inner city hospital in the Phila. area and loved it. But corporate takeovers and major changes to the institution led me to my current position as an LPN in a urology office. I absolutely love my job, but I am in the process of a divorce and know realistically I will need to increase my salary a great deal in the next few years. My concern? Time and money. For starters, for financial reasons, I need to keep my daytime full time job. I am trying to decide which is the best route for me to take to get my rn. Community college for core requisites, then to a part time evening/weekend diploma program, and finish up my bsn at the college they are affiliated with. This will take several years, but it seems to be the most affordable of the options. I know my end result ultimately needs to be having my bsn at the very least. I have searched for part time bsn programs, which are either very difficult to find or are completely out of reach for me financially. My hope was that if I at least had my rn, with 21 years of nursing experience to back me up, that I would still be able to find work as a diploma rn, and then work towards my bsn. But I am very concerned to waste that time and money for those years of experience to go unrecognized. So concerned in fact, I am wondering if I should get into another field completely that would serve me well. Sorry this is so long, but for those of you who took the time to read this, can anyone offer me some sound expert advice?

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Sounds like your at a crossroads - ready to position yourself for a New Beginning. Pretty scary, but it can also be a wonderful opportunity for you.

Have you investigated LPN-BSN programs? They may be a bit more expensive, but would be quicker, so it may be worth it in the end. If you Google it, you will discover many programs, including those that are mostly online. I have a friend who was successful in negotiating limited spousal support to help cover tuition in lieu of a longer-term financial obligation from her ex. Is this a possibility for you?

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Sounds like your at a crossroads - ready to position yourself for a New Beginning. Pretty scary, but it can also be a wonderful opportunity for you.

Have you investigated LPN-BSN programs? They may be a bit more expensive, but would be quicker, so it may be worth it in the end. If you Google it, you will discover many programs, including those that are mostly online. I have a friend who was successful in negotiating limited spousal support to help cover tuition in lieu of a longer-term financial obligation from her ex. Is this a possibility for you?

I've looked up some of the lpn to bsn programs because that is ultimately what my goal is, but I have heard a lot of them do not have good stats in passing boards. There are two locally but would cost me well over $70, 000. If it were a matter of $20, 000 I wouldn't hesitate, but that is very steep for me. If there really is a legitimate online program out there for lpn to bsn I would love to investigate it.

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