What are some reasons why some go for their LPN before they go for their RN ?

Trauma Columnist · Aug 24, 2010

I did the LPN in 1990 because it was easier to get into and since my hubby was in the military - I knew we would not have much time to waste.

So, did the LPN, sure enough, came down on orders, moved cross country and signed up for a private college LPN to ADN and finished it 2 years later.

I too advise the ADN/BSN route but with the economy as stinky as it is, you also need to be realistic about job opportunities.

allnurses Guide · Aug 24, 2010

Not all LPN programs take the same amount of time as an Associate Degree RN. I think most take less time. Some people need to get out and be earning a regular paycheck as quickly as possible. Some are happy being LPNs and don't intend to become RNs at all.

It's much easier to bridge to an RN from an LPN than it used to be with all the Distance Learning opportunities that are now available, so you don't have to decide to be a student or work full-time. I don't think any education is a "step backward", but you may take less time to get an Associates because you may have your prerequistes partially completed already. Check with the nursing school you intend to apply to.

NM nurse to be · Aug 24, 2010

I chose the LPN route first for a number of reasons. First being the shorter wait to start the program. There has been a 2 year wait from petitioning to starting the ADN program and a year for the LPN, which I got into 2 semesters early after all. Another reason for me was economics. I'm a CNA now and living at that wage is not doable long term. I'm single and have no kids, so that helps but also there is just me trying to live on a CNA wage. So by doing the LPN first, I can work for better money while finishing up the RN.

Another major and probably at first, the only reason I did it this way was because I didn't know how much school I wanted to do. I flunked out madly in college the first go round, many years ago. So I wasn't sure how this was going to go. Happily, it's been great. Have a good GPA and just scored 1140 on the HESI, so I'm doing ok after all.

Now the internal debate is whether to go with a BSN or ADN. Finances will play a role there too. My school is tuition free, which is a HUGE draw and reason for the waiting list. I already have an associate of arts degree, so I do have a start on the BSN gen ed requirements. I need to talk to someone at the university and see how doable a transfer would be.

And while I do all that, I can be working as an LPN :) I will be done with program in mid-November, so it's coming fast!

PatMac10,RN, RN · Aug 24, 2010

I wouldn't see becoming an LPN as going backwards. Think about it. You'll be a nurse, though not a Registered Nurse, you will be a nurse none of the less. That's a heck of a lot closer than you were before. And most LPN programs around here are not as long as A.D.N programs. Usually it takes about 2 years to become an LPN if you get your prerequisites out of the way first and go through 13 to 15 months of LPN school were as it can take 3 years for someone to get their RN prereqs which can take a year and the complete 2 years of nursing school.

pers · Aug 24, 2010

LPN schools in my area take just shy of a year to complete while an ADN is two years minimum. One of the schools allows their LPN students to go straight to the RN program so the first year is the LPN program while the second year is the completion of the ADN. That allows students to work their second year as an LPN while going to school.

I think for most it's a matter of wanting to spend less time waiting to start or be in school, less money on school or a "trial" to make sure they'll like nursing before going for an ADN.

Forever Sunshine, ASN, RN · Aug 24, 2010

I was starting pre-reqs for RN at a local community college until I realized that it would take longer than 2 years. I felt if I stayed on the path I was in I would be taking non-sense classes and working retail for longer than I wanted to.

So I got accepted to an 11 month LPN program right away, no waiting list. It was a traditional nursing program and the administrator was very very strict and I feel very confident going back to school this fall to resume on pre-requisities for the RN program.

I have more discipline now, more experience (7 months is better than none) and I feel I have a better shot at being accepted and doing well in an RN program with LPN experience under my belt than if I tried to get in before the LPN program.

StNeotser, ASN, RN · Aug 24, 2010

I did it because I'd be making 18 bucks an hour for the year I was waitlisted for the RN program rather than the 10 bucks an hour I'd make as a CNA.

guest2210 · Aug 24, 2010

i never had a desire to go further than lpn so it worked for me. it was a 12 month program, "old school" and very strict. if i ever do decide to go further, the lpn to rn bridge programs are easier to get into than traditional nursing schools. some of them even incorporate the pre-reqs in their curriculum, so i wouldn't have to spend 2-3 years doing pre-reqs somewhere else. it's totally a win-win!

Back2Nursing09 · Aug 24, 2010

Thanks for your answers !!

mazy · Aug 24, 2010

I'm not sure why I got my LPN first. I remember at the time looking into a BSN program ( I have a bachelors degree so it would not have taken that long) but decided not to go that route for financial reasons.

Decided to work as a CNA, then go on to get my LPN, then go on for either ADN or BSN.

If I had it to do over again I would have gone straight ahead with either an ADN program or BSN. Once I got my LPN I had student loans to start paying, and needed to get working right away to keep myself afloat. It was hard to find a job and I got backed up financially and ended up with a lot of debt, so for a while my life was just about digging myself out.

If I want to go back to an RN program I'll have to do the pre-reqs, which there is no financial aid for, and will probably take 6 months to a year and I'm actually really tired these days of worrying about money. So sick of it.

Also, once pre-reqs are done, there's a wait list to get into most programs so I don't know how long I would be in limbo just waiting to get into a program.

This is my second career and I'm older, I'm kind of at the point where I'm tired of always thinking about what's next to do, I'd kind of just like to enjoy life for a while. So, for the moment I'm sticking with where I'm at, which is an LPN. Maybe someday I'll get a bug up my bottom to go on for my RN....at the moment I'm feeling too elderly and ancient, which may be an occupational hazard.

I enjoy being an LPN and it does pay the bills, even though I do regret not getting that RN.

ImThatGuy, BSN, RN · Aug 24, 2010

Educate me. What is the role of an LPN?