LPN or RN?

LPN can be anywhere between 9-15 months.

RN program is over 15 months not including your pre-requisites for nursing. It could take you 3 years at a community college if you need to finish your pre-requisites and if your college has a lot of applicants.

I would go for your RN if you have the time and money.

u can go lpn then bridge to rn, go straight rn or straight lpn (don't want to be a rn), it really doesn't matter, just depends on your circumstances.

sounds like you haven't researched this much, you might want to start looking at cc's in your area.

Just do RN. Bridge programs may or may not even give you full credit for your LPN education.

I just made that decision recently. I've been on the RN program waiting list at my school for over 2 years and I can't wait any longer so I am going into the LPN program. The ADN program at our school is 2 years (4 semesters) and the LPN program is 1 year (3 straight semesters). At my school if you go into the LPN program and go back for RN you can test out of the first semester of the ADN program. It's really up to you and your situation. But either way has it's benefits. I'm taking a CNA course next month and plan to work as a CNA until January when the LPN program begins. That will give me experience and start to prepare my for the LPN program. Then once I finish that and work for a while I will go back for my RN. Personally I think I will feel more at ease going into it slowly and gaining experience instead of just going right into an RN program without any medical background. Not that it cannot be done, alot of people do it that way. I'm constantly being told just go for the RN and frankly I find that quite annoying that some think LPN's are not "real" nurses or that I won't be happy as an LPN. I will never ever have that attitude that as an RN you deserve a higher status...

it depends upon a lot of things: how many of the pre-requisites you'd have to do, tuition, tuition reimbursement, the availability of slots in a program, your grades, and what you want to eventually do. i'd suggest a bit more on-line research as a starter.

Rn all the way. My hospital doesn't even hire LPNs any more except for home health care. It is not that much longer and the pay and job security is much better. Do you know how much LPNs make these days BTW? Good luck.

And yeah, it sounds like you have gotten a great hands on education that can be invaluable to you in your practice. You sound like you already have the multi tasking and organizational skills needed!

It also depends on what you really want to do. I'm in pennsylvania and a lot of hospitals don't hire LPNs anymore. They're mostly hired in LTC facilities. I also always hear..."LPN's don't make any money!" In my area I know LPN wages are very comparable to RNs in the area. You need to do some research.

If you have the time and ability, I would go right for the RN degree. I am currently an RN student in a 2 year program, and we have some LPNs that are in our classes, and a bunch were just laid off from a large hospital in the area because they are going strictly to RNs. However, as stated by someone else, a 2 year RN program can take more than just the 2 years, due to required classes like A and P or Micro. You will want to check into nearby colleges and see what is required and if there is a waiting list. On a personal note, I am 29 with a husband and 3 children, and even though all of my courses are done except for my core nursing classes, it is hard to find time for my family. Two of three of my children have behavioral disabilites, but it sounds like your husbands 18 month old cousin is time consuming with his physical limitations. Though you have a great start (I won't learn that stuff till next semester), there is still quite a bit a book learning to go with it. Just be prepared for your time to no longer be available and realize the toll this will take on your family. I'm sure you could do it, but just wanted to make you aware of the challenges ahead. Good luck!

As an LPN who is recently accepted in a bridge program.

I went that route bcuz that was what was best for my situation.

My husband and I went to LPN school and we work as LPN's in a pretty laid back place that allows us time to study.....And you find that employers are pretty supportive when they think they will have another RN on staff soon. Especially if you are a good employee.

As far as pay and job security... I have been employed since I graduated.... I have never had a problem finding a job never been laid off or told because I am an LPN i will be let go first. You have to selective as far as where you work.

Where I live LPN's work hospitals... I have worked on Med Surg. Unit and my husband on a surgery trauma unit. Three of my class mates work ER

As one poster said "Bridge programs may or may not even give you full credit for your LPN education. "

Well again in my situation my "LPN Education" allowed me to test out of 5 credits of RN school by taking the ACE I exam. So I will begin school June 2010 and Graduate May 2011.

You research and do whats best for you. I dont regret my choice and I know many who don't either.

Well said.........

I agree...same situation here. Just do what is best for your situation.

Yep, each situation is different and you have to weigh all of your options and pick the one that works best for you. I'm 31 with 3 kids, I need an income soon so I chose to get my LPN, then I will do a bridge to RN. I could have waited and hoped to get into the fall 2010 program but decided to take a chance on getting into the LPN transition class, if it all works out, I will graduate the same time as the Fall 2010 class but will have earned more in the process, plus be in a better position to be hired based on my LPN experience.

But again, you do what is best for you and your situation. Good luck to you!!

Hospitals may not hire as many LPNs but the health dept and doctor's offices here do. Home health and nursing homes also hire LPNs.