LPN to RN or straight to RN?

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I just got my CNA and I'm planning on starting my prereqs for nursing next week. My question is should I get my LPN first and then RN or should I just get a 2yr RN or a 4yr RN? There are so many options and I'm getting to that age where I need to make smart decisions and I'm so excited about actually starting a career. Let me know what the benefits are and what worked for you.

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Specializes in OB.

straight to RN.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

If you have the time on your hands, aim straight for the RN license.

I earned my LVN license first because it was a second career move for me. I didn't have the time on my hands to end up on a waiting list. In addition, I could only afford to be out of work for a maximum of 1 year, so the LVN worked out well for my plans. I earn decent money as an LVN, live in a brand new house, have 2 newer vehicles in my driveway (a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado truck and a 2006 Toyota Corolla sedan), and have a large amount of money saved. Even though I am not rich by any imaginable means, I live rather comfortably and have never had a spouse or boyfriend to help me financially.

However, I would have went straight for the RN if circumstances were different at the time of my schooling. I lived in California, which had impacted RN programs and lengthy waiting lists for all of the community college and state universities.

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Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

If you can afford the wait/swing the hours and everything else, go for RN. If you need the steady check/job pronto, go for the LVN. Pretty much boils down cut and dry. However, LVN's often get the short end of the stick when it comes to a lot of policies/issues.

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.

Hey -- I saw your posting and wanted to put in my two cents. I have been a nurse for 16 years. I started in college taking preqs the month after I graduated from high chool. I wasn't sure what I wanted to major in and was a little confused about my choices. My mother worked at the vo tech school in town and suggested that I check into LPN school. Always the pessimist, she said that "if you went to LPN and didn't like it, you would be only wasted 1 1/2 years intead of 3 or 4.''

Good advice, it turns out at the time. However if I had to make the choice again, I would probably go for the RN. For me, it was good because at the time LPN was only 15 months or so, but I know it's longer now. The LPN was good for me because I didn't know if I could do it. I think it was beneficial for me skill wise, I had worked in medical records and as a ward clerk/CNA to help with terminology, ect.

I think the LPN program has gotten considerably longer and if I had to go back, I would probably go for RN. If you have kids, LPN may be better. Just weigh your options.

Good luck!! Anne, RNC

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I think that if you have the time and the finacial backing to go straight for your RN. It really depends on the waiting lists at your local college or university to determine what you should do. I personally went the LPN then RN route ( I graduate this May with my Associates in Nursing). The options I had back in Jan of 05 is to either get into the PN program now or wait for an opening in the RN program. If the RN program had room I would have started in August of 2005. The way I went allowed me to work and go to school. The college I attend has a bridge program and they honor your PN degree so I only had to go to school for the 2nd year of the RN program. Essentially the way I went allowed me to work and didn't cost me any time, if I had waited for the Aug 2005 start of the RN program and had been admitted I still would have graduated in may of 2007

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Specializes in Pediatrics, High-Risk L&D, Antepartum, L.

I would go straight for RN. Honestly if you can do a 2 year (diploma program is what I'm guessing you would do) I would do that. In 2 short years you have your RN. It's quick. From the diploma RN it's not that much to get the BSN.

I didn't have time to do 4 years of college to get my RN and get working. I'm doing a diploma program that is 3 years part time. I will start my BSN shortly after graduating from the diploma program but in the meantime I can work as a nurse and make a nice salary. We just can't wait 4 years for me to get a decent salary especially since a 4 year program would probably take me 6-8 years. I have 4 kids at home and wouldn't even be able to consider full time until the 2009-2010 school year. I can do part time from now until then. I will graduate (if all things go well) in 2008 so much further ahead then the BSN. I will probably have my BSN by 2010. So I will end up in the same place in about the same amount of time but a good portion of it I will be able to make a nice salary.

If you can go straight for the BSN...wonderful but I know it's a bit much for many people.

I can also tell you there are some who believe hospital based diploma programs put out better nurses in the end. There are some that believe nurses must have a BSN. The gym class I will have to take to get the BSN won't make me a better nurse.

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Specializes in ED.

Go straight to RN. go in debt if you have to take out loans to help you stay afloat for that one extra year. LPN's are being phased out in this area and there are not many hospital jobs that are available. After the first year you will be able to make the money back that you had to borrow to repay the loans and it will be sooooo worth it.

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i am going straight to rn.

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Go for the RN, at my school LPN school is three semesters. RN is 5. If you do the transition program lpn to rn you come into only the second semester of nursing. so you are going through more schooling.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, gynecology.

I think it depends completely on your unique situation.

Although I have seen so many posts urging students to go straight for their RN, I am personally taking the LVN-to-RN route, reasons being:

1. Even though I have a Bachelor's degree, it is not in nursing--not even close! So it would have taken me a year to do prerequisites, plus another year-and-a-half to two years to complete nursing courses. I prefer to go to school for one year, begin earning a paycheck, and pursue my RN at a more leisurely rate. Also, even the accelerated BSN programs I investigated would require at least two years, and cost 4-5 times the cost of my LVN program.

2. I have a high tendency toward burnout, something I am trying to work on in myself. Having left one high-stress occupation, I am a bit hesitant to embark on yet another. Of course I intend to give nursing a very honest try, but if I'm unable to find a "niche" for myself, or if I realize that nursing is just incompatible with who I am, then at least I've only devoted a year of my life to nursing education.

So just take stock of your situation--do you need to earn a paycheck sooner rather than later, or can you afford 2+ years in school? Are you 100% certain that nursing is what you want to be doing in 20 years? Just do whatever works best for your situation, and don't allow anyone to pressure you into taking a route you're not financially/personally prepared for. After all, you know your situation better than anyone else. Good luck to you, whatever you decide!

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I think it depends on the schools in your area...I decided for LPN program first b/c at this time the nurses coming out of the program are awesome and the instructors are awesome...and it's only 11 months. I would talk to people in your area and see what they have to say about the programs in your area, then go for the most highly recommended.

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