LPN or RN help!!

[eab12191]

I know this has probably been asked a ton of times, BUT I am gonna ask it anyways.

I've recently been accepted into a 2 year (4 semester) RN program at a community college and also got accepted into an LPN program (2 semesters). I have one week until I give my choice to the RN program. They are both good prices, so that's not really a deciding factor for me. Both have high NCLEX pass rates and have good reputations.

Which route would be more beneficial? The LPN would be completed in 2 semesters, and then I could work and get experience and then bridge over to the RN program and skip the first year of nursing classes and just have 2 semesters remaining.

For the people who have become an LPN first, do you wish you had just gone for RN in the beginning?

I guess I'm looking at PROS/CONS of going to LPN first or going straight to the RN.

I also have a 3 month old. Not sure if this matters, but putting it out there.

Thanks!!!!

[DayDreamin ER CRNP]

Do a search on this topic. There are discussions all over this board about this very thing.

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

I did my LPN first and don't regret it at all.

I'm able to earn a decent income while attending RN school. I feel as though my LPN education and work experience make some concepts more easier to grasp in RN school.

I already have a job when i graduate.

[suanna]

I think you would be nuts to turn down a position in an RN program. People wait years getting into an RN program. The employment picture in most of the country is bad for all new grads- but hopeless for new grad LPNs. Your LPN education may offer little that transfers officially to an RN program, so you are paying twice for going to nursing school. Just my 2cents.

[iPink, BSN, RN]

RN...

I initially was going to do the LPN till my aunt gave me the run down. Where I'm located, which is the NE, I'm grateful for the decision I've made to do the RN over the LPN.

Congrats!

[OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN]

Do a search on this topic. There are discussions all over this board about this very thing.

How do you do a search, I haven't been able to find the button I used to use for that..

To the OP: Honestly, I would just go for the RN. My reasoning is getting into an RN program has become very difficult and if you chose the lpn route, will you have to apply to the rn program again? Also if you know for sure you want to be an RN why make the extra step for yourself? The only advantage which would be that you could work as an lpn while you finish school wouldn't even really advantage you. I know few people that work during nursing school but I cannot imagine as a mother of two very lil guys, of working and doing nursing school and being a mom. Thats a lot with a lil baby, I would avoid it if possible so you could jst concentrate on your baby and nrsing school which is plenty.

[NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN]

I think you would be nuts to turn down a position in an RN program. People wait years getting into an RN program. The employment picture in most of the country is bad for all new grads- but hopeless for new grad LPNs. Your LPN education may offer little that transfers officially to an RN program, so you are paying twice for going to nursing school. Just my 2cents.

I agree if you can do the RN then go for it. It also depends on your living situation. LPN worked for me because it was an easy transfer. The first year of RN school is LPN school in addition to a 8 week summer course. When I got into the RN program all I had to do was complete the last two semester of RN school.

I don't agree with the word hopeless for LPN grads. I was not hopeless when I had 3 job offers post graduating from LPN school. I'm also not paying twice as much.

Just my two cents. :twocents:

[lrlat]

• Found myself in EXACTLY the same situation...just 3 weeks ago. For me the deciding factor was INCOME. Since I knew that in a 2 year program at some point I was going to HAVE to work....I decided to go LPN-RN. It is a HUGE time commitment, and there are limits on the number of days you can miss...and you never know WHAT is going to happen. I did not want to put so much of my life into this and walk out with NOTHING. (background...2 years of pre-reqs and I have been a CNA for 6 years, and I am 45 years old) So after much consideration ..I chose LPN. I recently discovered that UT Tyler also offers LPN to BSN. So, after I survive LPN that is another option..especially when I keep reading on this board that BSN is required more and more. Good Luck to you!
  
  

[Samantha79]

I think it depends on what area of nursing you want to work in. Most hospitals in my area are no longer hiring LPNs. Most LTC facilities are actively hiring LPNs. If you know you want to be an RN then do RN. At my school (2 year RN program) after your first year of NS you can sit for your LPN if you want to. So if you wanted to you could work for your last year of NS as an LPN. For me it didn't make sense to sit for the LPN since I got an extern position and can work all summer and next year as a Nurse extern. Just some different things to consider.

Good luck!

[debstmomy]

Correct me if I am wrong but an LPN is a license. An RN is a license plus a degree. Go for the degree.

[Jensenn]

:yeah:Congratulations. I ran into the same dilemma last year. Both programs require a lot of work and dedication. the only real difference being 2 semesters (10 months). The real benefits are greater opportunities for placement, degree, higher pay in most cases, opportunity for advancement is greater for advancement. My wife was an LPN first then an RN and she told me to just go for the RN. Among many of the reasons listed she told me that when someone saw LPN on her badge they treated as if she were not a real nurse and she said there were minimal differences in the RN and LPN programs. I chose the RN program because in the long run I save time because I don't have to graduate and then wait another year to pick up and start on my RN, I can work in a multitude of facilities as soon as I graduate and pass boards. It isn't easy, but it is worth it. Just keep in mind no matter which you choose that if you reach a point where you feel like curling into a corner crying, consider other careers, and just want to scream there are many others in your class feeling the same way.