LPN or RN

ShantheRN, BSN, RN · Oct 4, 2009

I'm in an RN program - more job opportunities, more room for advancement in all aspects, and better salaries.

AmberL, BSN · Oct 5, 2009

I was in a BSN program right after high school, did some pre-reqs but got burned out with work and school. After taking a break I just started LPN school with plans of further education.

babe48076 · Oct 5, 2009

Thank you. I have been debating which path to take for a year now. I have applied to both LPN and RN for August 2010.

windmill182 · Oct 5, 2009

I am doing the LPN program first. First being a key word there. I too plan to advance after. Part of the reason I chose to do the LPN first is because everyone in my area seems to be going back to school, and it also seems that a lot of folks are taking the nurse route..some are doing it for good reasons and some are doing it for the paycheck. Anyways, there isnt a wait list at my school..yet...for LPN so I figure instead of waiting for 2+ years I could at least get my LPN and then do the bridge program to RN. Yes, more expensive in the long run though.

lorelei1973 · Oct 5, 2009

Um, since you posted this in the CNA student discussion area, my answer is neither. Nurses aren't getting hired around here and this is really all I ever planned to do in terms of nursing. I'm an office worker (unit clerk). Getting the CNA gives me some options in terms of overtime and worst case scenario - layoffs. The CNA shortage in my state is such that the board is considering upping the student to teacher ratio by 10. I think that's a really bad call. Glad I got through the program when I did.

babe48076 · Oct 5, 2009

What state are you in?

lorelei1973 · Oct 6, 2009

I'm in Oregon. In some parts of the state there are RN vacancies, but in the Portland area new grads aren't finding work easily. I'm not sure about other states, but the plan here is to phase out LPNs entirely, at least in the hospital setting. Most LPN's are employed in long term care facilities. And the pay is pretty low. The waiting list for RN programs is crazy, and they're super competitive. I think in ten years things will change drastically as more RN's hit retirement age. (Same goes for teachers. New teachers are not finding jobs either, which is shame.)

emmasma · Oct 6, 2009

I was going to take the LPN and go for RN later (RNs make A LOT more money and have more choices and opportunities) But at my school That means getting on another waiting list and taking many extra classes, so Now I am just going to go strait for my RN.

Some schools have a ladder program, so you have to get the LPN classes first, but mine has alot of seperate RN and LPN classes. I would be wasting my time with almost 20 credits of LPN stuff.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 6, 2009

I have been an LPN/LVN since early 2006, but I'm interested in being an RN due to the increased pay, opportunities, mobility, and room for educational advancement.

I am currently attending an LPN-to-RN transition bridge program and will graduate with an AASN (associate of science degree in nursing) in early 2010.