LPN or RN

Would it be better to start in an LPN program or go straight RN?

[clee1]

That is a question that is open to wide debate.... and the real answer depends on a multitude of factors; both personal and local environmental.

I am a current LPN student. I plan to become an RN as soon as humanly possible. Nursing will be my second career, and I have a family to support while I am in the education process.

It made more sense to me to do LPN school 1st, then get a decent job, then complete and ADN by distance learning. I'll eventually get my BSN, MSN, and become an NP at some point in time.

Due to my individual circumstances, a "stair step" method was the only logical course open to me.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I too did the stair-step thing because it was the only option at the time. However, I think that most will agree that there are far more options for RNs...so if you can do it this way, it would probably be more beneficial. Good luck.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Since I had no real college background or none of the prerequisite classes completed, I had to enroll in LVN school to quickly make a career out of nursing. I was a working adult with a mortgage and other bills, so I could not take 2.5 to 3 years out of my life for RN school at the time. LVN school was only 1 year in length and would have been less of a hardship on me. However, I too plan to earn my RN license as soon as possible. The RN license will open the doors to more opportunities.

[Hoping LVN2BSN]

If you live in a major city, good luck getting into an RN program in under 2 years. Programs here in San Diego have at least a 2 year wait.

I too am taking the LVN route for financial reasons, I don't have 2 or 4 years to be out of work, I have a family. By the time I sit around and wait for a spot to open in an RN program, I could have been an RN for almost a year. Plus I would be losing valuable experience.

[Nurse Renee`]

I went the "quick-one-year LPN program" ten years ago. Thought it was great at the time. Did keep me in a job at all times. Married, spouse in school, two children. For the past 4 years, I have been trying to pick up the pieces to get my RN degree.

Two things you really need to know~

#1 is your current LPN classes taken at a Community college or at a Technological school? MAJOR DIFFERENCE!! Vo-Tech school, you get credits for how many hours you were in class, not credit hours per class. Like; A&P = 4 credits. I went the Vo-tech route not knowing this. Thus it's taken me several years to go back and repeat all my classes on a semester credit hour bases.

Personally, for me I wish a million times I would have went directly into an RN program.

#2 Do you want to work in doctor's offices or nursing homes mainly? If the answer is yes, then LPN is great. But like me, I want to work in Labor & Delivery. I have not found a hospital in several states I have lived in over the past 9 years that allow them anymore. You have to be an RN. Now I did work as an LPN on the post-partum floor, which was in TN.

You have to do what is best for you. Just make sure you will not have to repeat classes like I did. Plus, your Biology classes are usually only good for 5-7 years. Then you have to repeat them to start the RN program.

There are a lot of LPN-RN programs. Search around. Good luck.

Renee`

[RN 2 B]

I'm in a RN program at Troy University in Montgomery. I've been debating about doing the LPN first because I have 2 kids, car payment, and other responsabilities. I commute over an hour to get to class, then I work in a tire plant. I was told that it would be better for me that I go LPN route since I don't have any medical training at all. Its been hard for me because I have to work and CNA's don't pay enough to pay the bills.