LPN or RN?

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Specializes in CNA/Nursing student.

On my last question, I asked if there were any legitimite LPN to BSN programs and found that yes, they are real and credited. My ultimate goal is to become a Neonatal practioner:heartbeat, and I plan on taking accelerated programs to eventually get to my masters degree. I was wondering, would it be easier (Cheaper,less hassel) to become a LPN first then go into a bridge program to get my BSN, then get my speciality masters degree? Or, wait, become a RN, and then go on to a bridge program to get a general Masters then get my neonatal specialty? I am worried about the LPN programs being private (for profit) and expensive and worried about the difficulty of finding jobs after I graduate even though there are less steps involved. I'm just not sure what route I should take. In a month or two, I am becoming a CNA so I can save up money for school and since I will be paying for school myself, I want to know my options to avoid making mistakes. Thank you for your time:nurse:

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Specializes in Public Health.

RN first. also there are plenty of RN to MSN programs as well.

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Yeah, I agree, go for the RN first. At my local CC the wait is less for the RN program (1.5 to 2 years) than it is for the LPN program. The counselor told me that it's because people don't want to take the harder courses like Micro, A&P I and II (the LPN program here only requires a body structure class). And then you have to work for 1 year as an LPN before you can do the bridge program. Meanwhile, you'd be an RN already working on your RN to BSN classes in that amount of time.

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Specializes in CNA/Nursing student.
Yeah, I agree, go for the RN first. At my local CC the wait is less for the RN program (1.5 to 2 years) than it is for the LPN program. The counselor told me that it's because people don't want to take the harder courses like Micro, A&P I and II (the LPN program here only requires a body structure class). And then you have to work for 1 year as an LPN before you can do the bridge program. Meanwhile, you'd be an RN already working on your RN to BSN classes in that amount of time.

when you say you have to have 1 year experience as an LPN before a bridge program do you mean All bridge programs or a specific one?At my CC it will take 1-2 years for preq. and while I am waiting after I apply to the program it will take me 1-2 to do my general ed.(being a full time student) where as the LPN program has the same waiting time(atleast in our area) and I could finish the preq. in less time and I was thinking about working while I get my Bach.? do you still think it would be worth it with the time allotment? Thanks:nurse:

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Jennylouwho...could I ask where you are located? Trying to make decision on rn or lpn and if rn wait is shorter in Richmond! That would certainly help with my decision? Thanks!

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Specializes in LPN.

i applied for an lpn program because it is really tough to get into the rn program and i would have to take more prerequisites than the lpn program (which i already have--english 101 and physch 101). i would most likely get put on a waiting list for the rn program as i would probably have less "points" than many other applicants.

the lpn program i applied to in rochester new york is offered by rochester general hospital, takes 10 months, and has aggreements with the local community college for an rn bridge program that only takes 1 year. unlike some other programs that were mentioned in this thread, you do not have to work as an lpn in order to do it.

the school also has aggreements with a few local 4-year schools that have a lpn---bsn program (nazareth and soon-to-be program at brockport college). transfer students (rns) often find that there is a wait to take classes because the traditional students have priority. i'm trying to determine which route i will take. the university lpn--rn--bsn will be more expensive---but i am not getting any younger. the time it would take is 10 months in lpn school, and 3 years (or 2??) for the lpn---bsn program. so it would be about the same or actually less time for the lpn--bsn route versus the rn--bsn route--- especially if it is an accellerated program....and ofcourse next you go for your ms.

more money= less time

less money = more time and hassle :twocents:

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Specializes in Public Health.

LPN to BSN takes more time than RN and either way you still have to be an RN(either ADN or BSN) to get a MSN. its a waste of time to get an LPN IMO nowadays. Just take the damn classes. youre gonna have to take that time out one way or another. you only skip like one or two classes in the bridge programs anyways...and you would still have all the prereq classes to take before you can bridge.

Bottom line...there is no quick and easy route to nursing. Do the RN then the RN to MSN

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Specializes in LPN.
lpn to bsn takes more time than rn and either way you still have to be an rn(either adn or bsn) to get a msn. its a waste of time to get an lpn imo nowadays. just take the damn classes. youre gonna have to take that time out one way or another. you only skip like one or two classes in the bridge programs anyways...and you would still have all the prereq classes to take before you can bridge.

bottom line...there is no quick and easy route to nursing. do the rn then the rn to msn

it would be best if i could get into the rn program first but i'm impatient. i don't want to wait for things. also i am graduating soon for another degree program and i just want to get right back into school (since i decided halfway through that i actually wanted to be a nurse instead). the lpn program is only 10 months and i wouldn't have to go on a 2 year waiting list. i would be a licensed practical nurse after only 10 months and it would be easier to get into the rn program and would only take 1 year to complete. the rn program takes 2 years anyway. so i wouldn''t be waisting any time---just spending more money. but some people feel that spending the extra money is worth it. plus the bsn program for lpns sounds good to me--i would only have to transfer once and also i could work in a doctors office part-time as an lpn. not sure though what i am going to do...:rolleyes:

oh--and i'm not considering getting a msn just yet--i was referring to the original poster's plans. a bsn is fine enough for me. then i will have to work to pay the loan back.

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Specializes in Public Health.

Im sorry...maybe I don't understand how thats less time. I get wanting to work as an LPN first but:

LPN then LPN to BSN= LPN,10 mon then 1-2 yrs pre-reqs then 1 1/2 to 2 yrs LPN to BSN bridge= almost 3 to almost 5 yrs.

RN= 1-2yrs prereqs then 1 1/2-2 yrs NS. OR Accelerated BSN= less than 1 yr pre-reqs and 1 yr NS.

RN or Accelerated BSN= 2 to 3 yrs. (if you already have a degree)

This is all assuming you're not dealing with waitlists which, believe it or not, not all NS have. Here in Las Vegas there are no waiting lists, completely merit based.

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Specializes in LPN.

lucky! we have waitlists and if you do not get bumped up tp acceptance because a few declined a seat, you will have to reapply the next year. also, they use a points system and it is really competitive.

to get my rn i would only have to go to monroe community college for 1 year. so it would take 2 years (as normal) to get my rn.

then after that i can transfer to a university for a bsn---which would be 2 yrs or less depending on the program. or i could go to nazareth directly after the lpn program to get my bsn.

the reason people apply for an lpn program is because sometimes it is easier to get accepted and then you have only 1 yr to get your rn. less waiting.

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Specializes in Public Health.

You know in 2009 that was my plan too but my school is so cheap that its free for me right now and once I start the program (ADN) next year I will have all of my BSN pre-reqs done and I can go straight into my RN-MSN program of choice! I am working as a CNA now and I make $6-8 less than the average LPN but it only took me 6 wks and $1000 to do that. I would just worry about finding a job as an LPN because everybody is trying to phase them out because they always have to have an RN supervising....

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Specializes in LPN.

yep--i know. the only jobs for new lpns is ltc and doctor's office. i will be a certified coder after i graduate in the fall so i can work as an administrative assistant or i could also work as a unit secretary (or the new term is "patient care representative") in a hospital that works at the nurse's station. i've taken a&p i and ii, math, physch, sociology, english 250, critical thinking, medical terminology, public speeking, keyboarding, computer courses, medical billing and coding and insurance courses....

i did actually see an lpn job at a local hospital but they want 1 yr. experience at least. i tried to get that job as a patient care rep but i got a rejection letter. i also applied for other clerical jobs like admitting and billing. competition is tough these days. being an lpn should boost my resume for working in the nurse's station. usually they hire nursing students. the hospital told me that they cross-train you on other jobs and that you get to float throughout the week if you want---not having to work on the same floor all the time. i thought that sounded awesome. i am going to reapply for another clerical position after i graduate and hope that my chances are better. plus i start volunteering for hopsice this month! i think that being a volunteer for hopice will help me gain some experience and also help with networking :). i want to work in oncology but who knows what feild i will end up in as an rn. i know that hospitals are preatty much hiring rns with a bachelor's degree. that is my goal.

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