LPN or RN? or LPN to RN bridge?

Mapie22 · Feb 10, 2012

I'm no expert, by any stretch. I'm applying for nursing programs now myself. But I will say that I have heard from many people that it is difficult to find a job for LPNs now, and that most places are only hiring RNs. I was told by several people in the field that the hospitals in Boston will only hire RNs (some will only hire those with a bachelor's degree.) I know an RN at Sinai in Stoughton. She told me that they recently laid off every single LPN on staff. Apparently, they had told the staff quite a while ago that the layoffs were coming, to give those LPNs the chance to get their RN. Those that did not get the RN were laid off.

Just some food for thought while you are considering your options. If you can get into an RN program, perhaps it may be worth it to do that now, so you have a better chance of finding a job when you graduate.

Sheryl18 · Feb 11, 2012

If you can do the RN route I would definately do that first. I am an LPN, I graduated last year and my plan was to get my LPN first then continue on to get my RN, I am 40, married with 3 kids and really needed the fastest route to get a job so that's why I chose to get my LPN 1st. I am working at an AL center and back in school finishing up my prereqs to get my RN. I had no medical experience, so going the CNA route right now is great! I think just about every CNA in my class was hired at the place they work as soon as they passed NCLEX, all LTC. If you aren't interested in working in LTC then definately go for your RN 1st. Some of my classmates were hired in Dr's offices & prisons so those are other routes to consider. I live in SE MA, so I haven't heard of Blue Hills, sorry. We had 100% NCLEX pass rate for our class last year, it was tough, I did the full time day program. It was Monday through Friday, 8 am until 2:30 pm and then studying and doing care plans for up to 5 hours a night, very intense, but worth it.

Good luck!!

noka · Oct 6, 2012

There ARE LPN jobs out there. You most likely will not find a job in a hospital, but people who get their assoc. RN are also not finding hospital jobs. I think the LPN program is a great foot in the door. You only pay like $7k-$10K to go to school and you just have to make it through the short program. You will make so much more money than you would have as a CNA and you can do a bridge program in a year and a half part time after. I graduated in June and for me it was totally worth it. I found a job within 1 month of passing the NCLEX. You wont need to do the prereqs for the LPN program so that will save you waiting time and then you can be making more money while in a RN program. I say look into it def! Good luck!

Hi all!
I'm currently enrolled in a CNA course, but want to goto school for LPN hopefully September 2013. Does anybody have any suggestions for where to go? I was looking into the Blue Hills program as of now; haven't looked too far into it as I'm not planning to go or even apply for over a year.
I would like to go on for my RN afterwards, and was wondering if anyone has advice or experience with bridge programs from LPN to RN. I'd consider going just for RN 2 year but I don't want to be on a huge waiting list and would like to start my nursing career as soon as possible. Also, I'm saving money starting my next paycheck mainly for the LPN course so I won't be paying it off for decades, being a main reason why I want to just do LPN to RN.
Any feedback is greatly appreciated as I'm trying to explore al of my options. Thank you =]

seasons18 · Oct 15, 2012

Thankyou!! I'm actually going through the TEAS review book now from ATI..Have my entrance exam in less than a month! Very nervous.

There ARE LPN jobs out there. You most likely will not find a job in a hospital, but people who get their assoc. RN are also not finding hospital jobs. I think the LPN program is a great foot in the door. You only pay like $7k-$10K to go to school and you just have to make it through the short program. You will make so much more money than you would have as a CNA and you can do a bridge program in a year and a half part time after. I graduated in June and for me it was totally worth it. I found a job within 1 month of passing the NCLEX. You wont need to do the prereqs for the LPN program so that will save you waiting time and then you can be making more money while in a RN program. I say look into it def! Good luck!

Amandarae25 · Oct 21, 2012

I to am studying for my Teas I have a lpn program in mind (fitchburg). I was a cna and eventually let my license expire. Im a wife mom of three children under 7 and own and run a daycare so im starting out with my lpn and going from there.

karrikon · Nov 7, 2012

Does anyone know of a mostly distance or hybrid bridge program? I am an LPN in Asheville, NC, and want to go back home to California eventually. My aunt did Escelsior, back when it was ok in California, but it is no longer acceptable by CABON

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Nov 7, 2012

Does anyone know of a mostly distance or hybrid bridge program? I am an LPN in Asheville, NC, and want to go back home to California eventually. My aunt did Escelsior, back when it was ok in California, but it is no longer acceptable by CABON

You need to check with California about which schools are approved. They are one of the toughest places for licensure by endorsement....there are many schools they do not allow.