LPN to RN....(i know but)

[TonyFl]

I know this question has been asked before but i did a search and came up empty...(sigh).

What are the pros and cons of getting an LPN and then going for the RN?

I guess one of the Pros would be graduating school quicker and hopefully finding work faster...

-What are the cons?

-Anyone here try this route?

THANKS very much!

[swee2000]

it is indeed irritating when rns look down upon lpns.

as an rn i take exception to the stereotype that most rns look down upon lpns. most of us do not. most of us recognize the value of lpns as nurses on our team. general statements about most of us aren't true.

also, please note that rn bashing won't be allowed in this thread as that's too off topic and there are other threads about that. in the context that some rns disrespect lpns that might be considered a disadvantage to advise the op, but let's not go off on a tangent like the post above in this thread please.

thanks.

in my own defense, i was not using the thread to "go off on a tangent" or to start some sort-of "rn bashing".

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

in my own defense, i was not using the thread to "go off on a tangent" or to start some sort-of "rn bashing".

thanks and i appreciate that. however, as an experienced member/moderator of the board, i know that there is sometimes there's a "follow the leader" mentality that can derail a thread. someone else takes your lead and says "yes rns are dreadful in how they treat lpns" and someone else comes along, etc. so i was trying to avoid that. i don't let rns disrespect lpns in this forum, and don't allow generalizations about rns either.

thanks.

[sharona97, BSN, RN]

IMO Getting you RN should give you a higher wage. Along with that is added responsibility, such as IV pushes and hanging blood. This is a given in completing the education for an RN.

I am an LPN with an associated degree, which means I have completed the LPN program at the college level and also have completed prereq's required for RN school. With 29 years of experience I have succesfully worked myself up the pay scale and learned from invaluable expereinces.

Nursing in itself is hard work, rewarding, and does have different scopes of practice depending what license you hold.

At times you are torn between deucational choices due to financial or time restraints. What works for you, may not work for others. Go with what you have in your sights and expectations that are rationale and proudly complete the choice you have made. There are many options to return to school if that is in your future plans.

[MentalRn]

I have been a nurse for quite some time now. I believe that working your way up the ladder in health care is the way to go. I think that you not only learn more, your respect for other nurses is greater. In other words becoming an LPN first is key to becoming a great RN. There are skills that are taught in LPN school that are sometimes overlooked in RN schools. I was an LPN prior to becoming an RN, I still believe my clinical time as a student PN was more informative than the RN clinicals. I see new graduate RNs come on the floor and they many times were never taught basics, such as catheter care and insertion, basic phelbotomy skills, transfer techniques, and sometimes even basic vitals. It is assumed that they already know these things I guess. Many times the new graduate will say " I know how to put in an IV ", yes that is nice, but can you do anything else possibly.

[peridotgirl]

I'm sorrry, but I have to respectfully disagree that not many places hire LPN/ LVN's. I reside in Florida and that is NOT that case. Many hospitals are kicking the LPN/LVN's out because they are cross training the CNA's to do the LPN's job. My sorry to say, but depending on where you live, not many places hire LPN's, so it's not as easy to get a job.

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

cna's can may be able to do a small portion of a lvn's job but no where near all of it. a cna cannot replace a lvn in it's entirety. there are many opportunities for lvn's to work just may not necessarily be in the hospital. me personally, i have done enough time in the hospital.

i'm sorrry, but i have to respectfully disagree that not many places hire lpn/ lvn's. i reside in florida and that is not that case. many hospitals are kicking the lpn/lvn's out because they are cross training the cna's to do the lpn's job. my sorry to say, but depending on where you live, not many places hire lpn's, so it's not as easy to get a job.

[NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN]

I'm currently in LVN school right now...I had no choice but to go the LVN route 1st...I'm going for my RN right afterwards....I let my sciences expire and all the schools in my area will take points off my Science GPA for retakes (even though I passed them 1st time around)....I have no problem retaking my sciences the only problem I'm having is points being taken away from my science GPA because of it....Most schools want you to have at least a 2.5 in your sciences.....Even though I wanted to go straight for my RN, I have to agree with some posters at least I can work and make more money as an LVN vs CNA and still go to school to be an RN at the sametime....I'm currently a CNA with a Bachelors degree....At least I don't have to take any GE requirements because all GE requirements have already been met from previous college coursework....

[JONlvn-np2b]

pros:

EXPERIENCE. no amnt of schooling can replace that

fast money. you get into the job market faster.

cons:

transition: though there are many options, the transition to rn may not be as fast as going straight to rn.

lvn vs rn: i hear a lot about the fact that rn's dont respect lvn's or something like that but i havent encountered a situation like that. at the place i work at, lvn's and rn's work together and do favors for each other.

as for me i decided to go lpn and then rn and then np. i figured that the experience i gain in taking steps will only make me a better nurse. only you know what is right for you.