LPN or RN What should I choose?

Be_Moore · Sep 17, 2009

Never been an LPN, but have worked with them. Get your RN. You get more money, you get more respect. And that about sums it up.

Tattooedtonya24 · Sep 17, 2009

I guess the reason I'm leaning more towards LPN is, I just think its going to be too hard. I don't know if I'm ready for THAT step yet. The whole RN thing scares me a little. I know you make more money, thats not my issue.

springfieldrn · Sep 17, 2009

I was an LPN for two years while working my way through the RN program. 100% better choice to get your RN. If you werent a bit fearful of the program,responsibility etc... I would be worried about you. The opportunity for advancement and carrer choices are vastly better as an RN. It is so worth the effort to get your RN, speaking from experience 10yrs going on 11 as an RN. I was a single parent with no family around to help. You can do it.

Tattooedtonya24 · Sep 17, 2009

I was an LPN for two years while working my way through the RN program. 100% better choice to get your RN. If you werent a bit fearful of the program,responsibility etc... I would be worried about you. The opportunity for advancement and carrer choices are vastly better as an RN. It is so worth the effort to get your RN, speaking from experience 10yrs going on 11 as an RN. I was a single parent with no family around to help. You can do it.

I am a mother of 3 it is hard. I guess my biggest fear is not getting the hang of things "quickly":cry:

Thank you for the encouragement!:redbeathe

J_9! · Sep 17, 2009

I am a mother of 3 it is hard. I guess my biggest fear is not getting the hang of things "quickly":cry:
Thank you for the encouragement!:redbeathe

Things change from semester to semester. You won't be the only one not getting the hang of it during the first semester. Where I went to school we had big sisters/brothers who's job it was to help us get the hang of nursing school and to talk to when we felt overwhelmed.

An RN has so many more opportunities than an LPN does.

jschut, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2009

I was a CNA first, currently am working as a LPN, and will graduate with my RN in December. I personally think this is the way to go.

I learned a lot being a CNA, and even more as a LPN. As far as most of the RN's I have met (not all, by far...), they could have benefited with a greater knowledge base that can only be earned by working from one level to another.

Just my humble opinion.....

GOMER42 · Sep 17, 2009

Apply to both programs and go where you get accepted.

Tattooedtonya24 · Sep 17, 2009

I was a CNA first, currently am working as a LPN, and will graduate with my RN in December. I personally think this is the way to go.
I learned a lot being a CNA, and even more as a LPN. As far as most of the RN's I have met (not all, by far...), they could have benefited with a greater knowledge base that can only be earned by working from one level to another.
Just my humble opinion.....

I think I've decided to go for my RN. Theres a 2 year waiting list for the community college I'd like to go to. Does it take 2 years full time to get your RN? I know for the LPN it's 18 months..

jschut, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2009

I am in an accelerated program. Started in March of this year, and will graduate in December.

If you do your ASN, it is a 2 year program, and a BSN is a 4 year program.

Good luck to you no matter which road you decide to travel!

Tattooedtonya24 · Sep 17, 2009

I am in an accelerated program. Started in March of this year, and will graduate in December.
If you do your ASN, it is a 2 year program, and a BSN is a 4 year program.
Good luck to you no matter which road you decide to travel!

Could you tell me exactly what the difference between the ASN and BSN is?

jschut, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2009

ASN~ Associate level (2 year)

BSN~ Baccalaurate level (4 year)

While both are trained and take the same state board exam, there really is no difference in pay, but the BSN has more manager- type classes.

There are many threads on the boards that may define the differences better than I can. :)