LPN or RN

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Hi everyone,

I have made up my mind and i will be attending nursing school; however, I am not sure if i should invest my time and go to school for my LPN and get it done in one year or continue at the cc and go for my RN which will take 3 years. Do LPN's make a lot less money than RN's and are LPN's fading away? Is it harder to get a job?

I am 38 years old and I know if whatever I choose, once i finish school I will not go back.:uhoh3:

If anyone can give me some advice i would greatly appreciate it!!! Have a great night.

It all depends on you and what do you want. This is how I am doing it...I am taking pre-reqs and I will go to LPN program next summer. By that time, I hope to have all my science and math pre-reqs done. That will prepare me well for the LPN program. In order to go to LPN school, I will have to quit my current job. I was afraid of failing LPN program, after qutting my current job, and I wanted to take science pre-reqs before just to see if I am going to be able to finish them. So far, it's going great. When I finish LPN program, I will be happy if I make the same money as I do now, I have a pretty decent job. If not, it does not matter as I do not plan on working as LPN forever. So, when I graduate from LPN program, I will work somewhere where they will pay me for the RN route. I will have all my pre-reqs done and I can bridge to block 3. This way, I am not loosing any time. My CC have 2 years wait list, and I did not to wait 4 semesters after finishing my pre-reqs just to be accepted into the nursing school.

You have to know what you want, and you have to plan everything.

Specializes in med-surg, geriatrics, adult homecare.
From what I've heard RN's do make considerably more than LPN's. The schooling is longer but not only will your salary be higher but you'll have more options as far as where you can work.

I can tell you from real life knowledge,it is not that cut and dry. Therefore what you have said may or may not be factual,because there are many variables to consider.The one constant,that holds true,is more options as where to work at will right away be available,upon graduation for the RN.However,if you want to advance in nursing career wise and financially,the way to do it is to continue to educate yourself,via certifications,education,beyond the BSN,and advanced practice.Then you are talking about a siix figure salary,or something very close to it without overtime.I love nursing and plan on going as far as I can,while I can be excited enough obtaining more skills, and autonomy in my practice,enjoying the increase of income along each level, will be a nice secondary benefit.

I hope though the OP will be able to choose the best way for her to go,that will get her to being a RN,her final goal.

I am on the LVN wait list for my CC, #85!!! I will start nursing school in August 2009!!! I am going to become an LVN first for a little while then I am going back to school to become an RN because I really want to become a Nurse now and I have two little ones and going to school for one year right now is what i am able to do right now and once both of my boys are in school I will have more time to devote to school and I can go back and go to school to become an RN. I have a question, I called my CC and asked are LPNs and LVNs the same, do they have the same job in dealing with patients and the woman I talked too said yes and that LPNs and LVNs are one in the same, is that true?

Specializes in med-surg, geriatrics, adult homecare.

[ I have a question, I called my CC and asked are LPNs and LVNs the same, do they have the same job in dealing with patients and the woman I talked too said yes and that LPNs and LVNs are one in the same, is that true?

LPN and LVN are the same.For some reason unknown to me. the LPN is called an LVN (Licensed Vocational Nurse ),in some states in this country.

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I have a question, I called my CC and asked are LPNs and LVNs the same, do they have the same job in dealing with patients and the woman I talked too said yes and that LPNs and LVNs are one in the same, is that true?
California and Texas are the 2 states that refer to basic nurses as LVNs (licensed vocational nurses). The remaining 48 states refer to basic nurses as LPNs (licensed practical nurses).

LPNs and LVNs are the same type of nurse. I am licensed in Texas, so my legal title is 'LVN.' However, if I moved to another state and had my license endorsed there, my new legal title would be 'LPN.' For example, many Louisiana nurses live and work in my area. When they were living in Louisiana, they were called 'LPNs,' but they are now 'LVNs' due to the fact that they are practicing in Texas.

In the Metro Detroit area LPN's (working in LTC) start between $20.00 - $25.00 hourly depening on your benefit package.

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