LPN to RN vs. straight to RN

iPink, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2010

First, I hope you wrote that post while on your blackberry while seated on the back seat of a crazy taxi driver. If not, oh boy.

Secondly, you should get your ADN then go into a BSN or MSN program later. Most LPNs are being hired in LTC. Hope the situation works out better for you and your kids.

freepct · Jul 17, 2010

First, I hope you wrote that post while on your blackberry while seated on the back seat of a crazy taxi driver. If not, oh boy.
Secondly, you should get your ADN then go into a BSN or MSN program later. Most LPNs are being hired in LTC. Hope the situation works out better for you and your kids.

Well my 1yr old broke my keyboard and i'm using an on screen keyboard which is a lot harder than texting on a phone keypad......so i apologize if my post was difficult to decipher:confused:

And thanx for the advice:D ......Im leaning towards RN anyways:lol2:

iPink, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2010

LOL. Yeah, glad you're leaning towards RN. I'm a career changer and was going to go into LPN but received so many advice to go get my RN instead. Good luck to you.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2010

Questions to ask would be: do you have your pre-reqs done for your RN? Is there a waiting list for the ADN program? How many years until you graduate from the ADN program? Sometimes the ADN can take up to four years, which might be too long for you not to have adequate income, especially if the LPN route is quicker.

If you go the LPN route, you have to promise yourself that you will immediately get your RN. Too many people "take just a little time off" and years go by.

Good luck!

happy2learn · Jul 17, 2010

Well, for people I know that have to work, they are going the LPN route. This way, they can get some experience and get paid. This seems to work out for people in those situations. Then there is possible tuition reimbursement as well for those people. But yes, most LPN's now work in LTC's, not that that is a bad thing. It's still money and some experience.

For me, I don't have kids and don't have to worry about working, so I am going the ADN route, then directly into RN-BSN.

If your financial situation allows you to just get your RN, then I would skip the LPN route. But if you feel you need to work for the money, then the LPN route may be best for you.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2010

For me, I don't have kids and don't have to worry about working, so I am going the ADN route, then directly into RN-BSN.
If your financial situation allows you to just get your RN, then I would skip the LPN route. But if you feel you need to work for the money, then the LPN route may be best for you.

Happy, just a quick question (apologies to the OP for hijacking). I wonder, if you don't have kids and don't have to worry about working, why do the ADN route if your ultimate goal is BSN? why not just go for the BSN from the start? Just curious.

happy2learn · Jul 17, 2010

Happy, just a quick question (apologies to the OP for hijacking). I wonder, if you don't have kids and don't have to worry about working, why do the ADN route if your ultimate goal is BSN? why not just go for the BSN from the start? Just curious.

It's cheaper for me to get my ADN then do the ADN to BSN. It will also take me the same amount of time because of a partnership my community college has with the local university.

While I'm on the waitlist, I'm able to take BSN equivalent courses at my community college so that by the time I've got my ADN, I'll do a direct transfer to the university for the RN-BSN. It will take me around a year or less to finish up my BSN.

The university is $10K per year and my school is $5k. So I'll be spending $25k instead of $40k.

Iridescent Orchid, CNA, LPN · Jul 16, 2011

I know this thread is quite old, but I figured I'd give my thoughts on the subject, just in case you're still around reading or still haven't decided what is best for you. Maybe someone else will stumble across this with the same problem and get some use out of my advice. I'm by no means fit to give the advice, in the sense that I haven't been through it, but I'm in the process and have done a lot of planning for myself, so I'll throw this out there...

A lot of people go the LPN route and then bridge due to their living situations/bills, or just because they have the time and want the experience after the do get their RN. Having kids, or having to hold a job down seems to be one of the major reasons so many students are going for their LPN and then bridging to their RN. Sit down and take as much time as you need to think what would be the best route for you and for your kids. There are going to be a lot of people questioning you on why you're going for your LPN and not your RN...don't feel the need to explain it over and over again. Do what is best for you. I'm going the LPN route and guess what? I have no kids, no job or bill obligations...I just want my foot in the door of healthcare much more quickly, then having to sit for a year or 2 on the wait list in the ADN or BSN program. If I would have started my path to Nursing much more soon, I wouldn't have minded the wait list one bit, but since I'm quite a bit behind on where I'd like to be, I've completely evaluated that LPN-to-RN is the best route for me! Some are fine with being an LPN the rest of their career, but if your goal is ultimately to get your RN, I do also recommend that you go as quickly into the bridging program as you possibly can! Good luck you to. :)