LPN to RN?

Everyone's reasons are personal as no one two people's situations are the same. Here were my reasons:

1. I needed to start working ASAP. I finished a Bachelor's and could not find a job. I could not afford to go back to school for another 4 years without working.

2. I had no pre-reqs completed.Completing my pre-reqs for an RN program first had the same problem as number 1. I would either not be working while completing them or working in a low-paying, perhaps not even health care related field. By becoming an LVN first, I already had 2 years of nursing experience under my belt by the time I finished my pre-reqs.

3. I knew I'd have a job after graduation. The job market for new grads is tough in California, but due to personal connections I knew I'd have some sort of LVN job after graduation.

4. I got into an adult school that cost less than $5000 for the entire program. Paying $30,000 for a private LVN program would definitely not have been worth going the LVN route first, but $5000 that I paid completely out of pocket? Worth it.

It cost me $2,500 to earn my LPN license back in 2002. Tuition, books, uniforms, and all. I earned $32k my first year as an LPN, so I believe that I got a pretty good return on my educational investment! The affordable tuition meant that I didn't have to take out student loans. Like The Commuter, I was able to live a middle class lifestyle while pursuing my ASN degree. My husband and I bought our first house almost immediately after I began working in a LTC facility. The only con, in my opinion, is that it is easy to get complacent as an LPN, especially when you are earning a decent salary.

I agree with what others posted. It's easy to get complacent and distracted.

@TheCommuter and @fawniemarie thank you very much for providing pro:con details for taking this route. What was your first new grad lvn job?

Its really nice to read that you can make decent money working as a lvn and take care of yourself. Thanks

My first LPN job as a new grad was in a long-term care facility. I live in Tennessee, where the cost of living is low, that is something to keep in mind. $32k was a comfortable salary for me at that particular time in my life, before my children came along. Once my first child was born, it became painfully evident that I would need to further my education. Paying for diapers and preschool consumed all of our extra "fun money." Honestly, I had no real desire to become an RN until I became a parent and the reality of being financially responsible for a child sank in. My husband contemplated returning to college, but we ultimately decided to invest in my ASN degree, since it could be done faster. Many LPNs I've worked with are happy with their salaries and have no plans to become RNs. As Squishy said above, no two people have the same story.

My first LPN job as a new grad was in a long-term care facility. I live in Tennessee, where the cost of living is low, that is something to keep in mind. $32k was a comfortable salary for me at that particular time in my life, before my children came along. Once my first child was born, it became painfully evident that I would need to further my education. Paying for diapers and preschool consumed all of our extra "fun money." Honestly, I had no real desire to become an RN until I became a parent and the reality of being financially responsible for a child sank in. My husband contemplated returning to college, but we ultimately decided to invest in my ASN degree, since it could be done faster. Many LPNs I've worked with are happy with their salaries and have no plans to become RNs. As Squishy said above, no two people have the same story.

Thanks Fawnmarie, did you ever work as in a medical center or hospital as a LVN in tennessee? I actually plan on moving to TN (memphis/nashville) from CA after my lvn program is finished. What lvn-rn bridge program did you go to? I'm currently a cna with yrs of psych and would like to get in med/surg during lvn school to hopefully enhance my chances for a job when I become a lvn. How is the market in TN?

I became an LVN first because I wasn't sure if nursing was for me. I wanted experience first. Becoming an LVN was fast & without as much of the responsibility as becoming an RN.

Tasha, I sent you a PM, as it appears we have a great deal in common (I see you also work in mental health.) Contact me & we can discuss the job market in TN.

Hi fawnmarie,

I am just now seeing your message. Yes, I've been working a stable job in psych as a mental health worker for six years. I would love to discuss with you the job market in TN. I have family out that way and researching different lvn-rn bridge programs all over.

What school did you complete your LVN-RN in TN?

Con: double tuition pay :-(

I am doing the stair step route because we are a military family, and we only stay in one place for so long. I needed a program I could start and finish in one duty station. Found an 18 month LPN program, my Pell covers 100%, tuition, books, uniforms, all but tolls and gas! I will be finished in May and then will continue the process of pre-requisites and start working. Many of the LPN-RN bridge programs require you work for a year as an LPN before you can apply for the fast-track programs that let you skip a bunch of classes.