LPN to RN, or straight to RN?

[Josieerwine]

Good morning! I am very indecisive right now and I wanted to get other people's opinions. I am currently a CNA. I am in college currently for my ADN. I started college fresh out of high school. I am not even sure when I decided I wanted to be a nurse! It is just what I've always thought I'd do I guess!

I love being a CNA, helping people, taking care of them, and most of all being there for them when they need someone. I know CNA is nothing like nursing lol but I wanted to get into some sort of healthcare.

I am starting my third semester of prereqs. I have 6 semesters left! 3 years. Honestly, my GPA isn't that good. It's not terrible but my school (state college) is very competitive for the RN program and I'm worried. I am considering doing LPN first. The program is 45 weeks. Students are selected based on TEAS VS. TEAS & GPA for RN. Once I am an LPN I will bridge to RN if it's what I want. If I go the LPN route, I will take anatomy & phys this semester (well I plan to either way lol) then take my TEAS, then apply for the LPN program that following semester.

I feel very uneasy. School is expensive and I didn't take time to decide what I really wanted to do, nursing just came naturally (a blessing and a curse possibly?) so LPN first may help me decide what I want to do Indefinitely. Also, LPN bridge students have a one-up in my colleges selection for the RN program. I would also be able to work as an

I am only 19 (20 in January!) but I feel like I am running out of time. I bought a house in April and unfortunately I will not be able to take off work to go to school, whether I do RN or LPN. My husband is a firefighter/paramedic and thinks I would be better if going straight RN, based off of what he has talked to nurses about in hospitals.

So I guess my question is, based off of your experience/plain opinion, would it be worth it to do LPN to RN, or should I just take the full plunge to RN?

[angel0309, ADN, RN]

Okay, so my opinion is this: if you ultimately want to be an RN-go for the ADN. You'll most likely wind up spending more time and money in the long run to bridge later down the line. Of course, only you know what's best for you, but being in a very similar situation to you (minus the husband--we're not ready for that yet lol), I can tell you that's what I'm doing.

At least in my program, the LPN certificate is 3 semesters and then it takes another 3 to bridge to ADN. So that's a whole extra semester when you could just go straight to the ADN if you think that's what you ultimately want to do anyway.

[Golden_RN, MSN]

If you want to be an RN, work very hard to get great grades and do what you have to do to become one. Don't do an LPN program because it's quicker. Join study groups, get a tutor, whatever you need to do. You won't regret it! Your CNA experience will be invaluable.