LPN? RN?

mommy2raines · Jun 13, 2011

I was also considering this, but 2 weeks ago I decided to go straight for my RN. My reasons are a little different from you, but it might help you. I'm 26, married and have kids. I wish I knew what I wanted at your age! lol. My mom has been a LPN for over 20 years, and has taken classes for a LONG time here and there to get her RN. I have been told, its more expensive and its more work to go LPN, then RN. Right now it would be best for me to go straight for my RN, since my husband is working, and I stay at home with the kids. Most people that I have talked to that went to nursing school say its best not to work while your in.

Like I said, my situation is different. But, in a few years you might have a family, it would be so much easier if you did it now than later! Good luck on whatever you do :)

HoneyGamble · Jun 13, 2011

You are young and have no family commitments. Get all your education out of the way while you have this time to just focus on yourself and school. You never know where life may take you so if you have the opportunity to go straight for the RN then I say take that path.

mzrainydayz, BSN, RN · Jun 13, 2011

I say go straight RN because why go back and do a bridge program. You are young focus on school you will have time for kids and husband. Get your degree and get a good job then think about other things. Alot older than you wish I tried to get into nursing school at your age. I am now struggling to work fulltime to support me and my daughter and finishing up prereqs to get in RN program for the Spring of 2012. I wish you the best of luck.

Nikki_sixx · Jun 13, 2011

Thanks for your input guys! I know going straight to RN is probably the best, it's just so tempting to go the LPN route and try and find a job quicker..

HazelLPN, LPN · Aug 30, 2011

I am a retired LPN, and I strongly recommend that you go straight for your BSN as it will give you the most options.

Best to you,

Mrs H.

iPink, BSN, RN · Aug 30, 2011

Go for your RN.

I was also thinking about going into an 11-month LPN program, but decided to go for my BSN because I spoke to an LPN who said before she knew it she was still an LPN with a family and finding it tough for her to find the time to go back to get the RN. Even though you're young now, but you'll never know years later you find it difficult to go back.

Maya91 · Nov 21, 2011

I know exactly how you feel! im 20 and going for lpn seems so much better..but i try to keep in mind that i have no children, im not married i live with my mom i should take advantage of that and just go straight for the bsn. im berly doing my pre reqs so i still think about just doing lpn its alot to think about. You posted this months ago...have you decided?:)

Iridescent Orchid, CNA, LPN · Nov 21, 2011

Every situation is different and we all have routes we feel are better to take. If you want to go for your LPN first, go for it. If you rather go straight for your BSN, that's great!

If you're like me, I'm tired of working dead-end jobs that have nothing to do with my career choice as a nurse. The only jobs around in my small city are fast food and department stores...you have to have experience or education for just about everything else around...while I don't want to sound picky, customer service jobs are just not for me, not at all. I much rather be helping another in a health/aide facility somewhere, any day!

With that being said, along with other factors, I've chosen to go for my LPN and then do a bridge program or start from scratch for my BSN at a 4-year college. That sounds insane to a lot of people, I know! But this is my route that I'm comfortable with taking and I have the time for it right now, so I'm happy with my choice. Another reason I'm going for my LPN first is because the colleges in my area that offer BSN have the most insane waiting list ever! After I'm done with LPN, I can work where I'd enjoy and somewhere that goes towards my future, while I spend time with pre-reqs for my BSN and on the wait list.

Whatever you choose, best of luck! Remember to do what you feel is the best route for you, regardless of what others may say about it. :)

Glenna, LPN · Nov 22, 2011

I live in Oregon. The way the system is over here is crazy to even get into the nursing program. In the last three years they have gone into a point system when they go over your transcripts. It is out of 70. If you have a C in something then you are given no points for those classes. I don't have time to retake A&P 3 or 4 times until I make A's in all those classes like some other people do. I'm ready to get my life started! My last year at the community college before I decided to go for my LPN program, my only hope for even becoming a nurse....1,005 people applied to the nursing program! There are only 100 spots. There was no hope for me. Other people around me in my classes some found themselves on wait lists for over three years. So much life can happen during that time. I am already 24. I don't know how I'm already this old. Not saying I'm old but ack. I want to get married and start a family at some point. Anyway, now that I have my LPN I am now working towards getting into an LPN to RN BSN program. I finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and I never thought I'd ever see this day.

I'd say, for you, take a bunch of your core classes such as A&P, Chem, Math classes, Micro, and stuff like that, that schools around you require. Get that out of the way and heck try to get into the RN BSN programs that are in your area. If you don't get in or you find yourself waitlisted I'd then go for your LPN. While you are working on your classes, I'd go for your CNA. That way you will be working in the feild and getting a good idea what kind of things you will be dealing with once you become a nurse.

That is my two cents. haha