LPN ROUTE or RN ROUTE??

CharleeJo.RN · Aug 14, 2009

i think it all depends on what college/university you are looking at for nursing. at my college, we have a bridge program - i finished lpn school within 1 year (accelerated program) and am starting the rn program in a few weeks, which will take 2 years. you can choose to "opt out" after finishing your lpn, or you can continue into the rn program (pending acceptance). i will be taking my boards hopefully soon, and then i will work as an lpn while pursuing my rn. i think this is an ideal way to go because you get useful experience as an lpn and are more knowledgeable about the field as well as having a better idea what to expect as a nurse.

my school had this rep as having a long waiting list and blah, blah, blah...but guess what? i got in just where i wanted to be. don't rely on heresay, especially when it comes to your education! go to the nursing office directly and speak to them - voice your concerns and see what they have to say.

the best thing to do prior to getting into a nursing program is having as many pre-reqs out of the way as possible. this eases up the workload for yourself and some of the stress, because there is plenty of that in nursing school.

ultimately, the thing you need to do is meet with a career counselor at your school and explore the options you have and then make an informed decision. that's who you need to seek advice from!

good luck.

sjessamy · Aug 15, 2009

The last poster is right...you cant depend or rely on hersay...you have to find out from the source about how long the waiting list is for the nursing program...however i myself was going to bronx community college and realized that the waiting list was far too long...so i ended up going to a separate program for my lpn license...my mother also attended BCC and because she already had her lpn license she was automatically excepted in their rn program...so i would suggest of course the rn route..its more money and its a better career..but maybe try and see if it would be faster to go elsewhere for your lpn....then come back for your rn...hope it helpss..

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Aug 16, 2009

I have my LVN license, and I'm glad I have it. My situation is a bit different since I currently hold a Bachelors degree in another field. So a lot of time has been saved on general education and in California, if you apply to any state institution (UC, CSU, or JC/CC) they CAN'T make you take general education in order to fulfill their requirements. They can only make you take courses that are specific prerequisites into the nursing program. So that's why I was able to save some time. But, still when applying into a LVN or RN program I'm lumped with everyone else. I wasn't willing to be stubborn and wait to get into the RN program. I applied to the LVN program and got accepted. I took the chance and enrolled, I'm glad I did because now I have my LVN license and now I'm just taking one course in the fall in order to apply to the LVN-RN program at several community colleges out here in the Bay Area. Other students I know are still waiting to get into the RN program and they finished their prerequisites long before I even started my LVN program. I'm ahead of them now, I have 8 months of schooling left once accepted, and they still have about 2 years left once accepted. I'm ahead of the game.

My suggestion to you is to do what you feel is right for you. Keep in mind if you wait to get into a RN program you might be waiting a very long time. It's ok to do the LVN program, LVN's are nurses too, that's why we are "Licensed Vocational Nurses, or Licensed Practical Nurses". It gives you that edge of bridging over to the RN program. You're ahead of most of your classmates anyway because you're already a nurse. Good Luck

sarmiento09 · Aug 17, 2009

im seventeen. and i dont know how which i should take too. if you find any more information that pushed your decision to get your ln license before becoming a registered nurse please let em know,. please help >.

Mz phattie · Aug 19, 2009

First off, thank you for everyone for their inputs and advice. its been greatly appreciated.

to reply to :sarmiento09 and whom ever else that is curious

i have now decided to go for my LPN and then go for RN. i went to the school and ask how long the waiting list was for BCC, and it is tremendously crazy..not only that i was told its competitive.

to make things short...

the lady i spoke too says if i get my LPN, i have more of a better chance of getting into the RN program for the simple fact that i have all the pre- reqs done and tests done ( NCLEX??) she says the classes for LPN and RN is not really much of a difference. so if i would be done with my LPN, it would only take a semester or two to get my AD-RN.

I am currently working also as a CNA, and had a conversation with the boss... if i get my LPN, i get an automactic postition just because im such a good worker ;] lols * and also that LPN is needed in the facility.

so in the meantime, i figure it would be good to have a taste of the good pay for a few months and getting some experience in. my leadership sucks!

soo hopefully lets see how everything works out. ..

not much advice i can give out, because i was pretty lost myself, but hopefully this helps...

nurseaid07 · Aug 22, 2009

good for you i decided to apply for both programs and go with which ever one let me in lol im done with all my pre-nursing classes just finishing classes needed for my assocaite degree in nursing then transfer for my bsn in nursing

cindyabernathy · Aug 23, 2009

Skip the LPN route altogether.

Take a two year RN associates degree. After your first year, most states allow you to take your LPN exam (thats what I did). Meanwhile, you're getting LPN pay while finishing your last year in RN school. Once you graduate, you take your exam and voila! you're an RN. Now you are getting RN pay....

You can either coast on this, making the same money as your BSN counterparts that are working side by side with you....or, if you want to work in management ....you can then take your last two years to get your BSN...all while making RN pay, and possibly getting the hospital to foot some of the bill for the last two years. (you will owe them time, however, when you get out)

Don't waste your time on LPN school. Shoot higher....you will make 100's of thousands more over your career if you do.

Let me repeat though. An associate degree will get you the same pay as other nurses that have BSN's. Only in times of "nurse overages" do hospitals get cocky and say "well, we prefer BSN's". The fact is, this is a butt-wiping job that the general population doesn't want to do, and so there really is always a need for nurses, even in the cyclic "overage" periods. I never lost a job to a BSN before. And funny, I have heard them complain and complain that for 5 years after they graduated, they were still paying $500 a month back for student loans. I paid off my associate degree student loans in just over a year.

Financially, ADN's make more sense. But, if you are inclined to work in management and move up to being a DON, etc...you might want to get your BSN. Although, many an ADN with experience has gotten just as many DON jobs.....

Don't do what's easiest (LPN school). Stretch yourself and go for it. It will set a precedent in your life for achievement and attainment from then on...

ShannonRN2010, BSN, RN · Aug 23, 2009

Working as a LPN will give you alot of hands on experience prior to RN school.

My best friend and I were talking about this the other day about how much easier RN school is/was because of the LPN experience...plus if I fail RN school, I still have my LPN to fall back on.

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Aug 23, 2009

Despite what other posters say don't assume that one who takes the LVN/LPN route is a waste of time, because it's not. You're ahead of your peers in 2nd year RN, you're already a nurse. Also keep in mind that not all states allow you to take the LVN/LPN while you're in the RN program. If you're in the program and you're allowed to do it, then I encourage you to take it. It still will give you that edge.

As the other poster stated, shoot high, once you get your LVN/LPN you can go for your ADN or your BSN. She's correct about there not being much difference in pay. In the private hospitals out here, there's no difference in pay, but for county there is a difference and it's like $1.00 or two more with a BSN, but the BSN will give you management opportunities that an ADN wont. Also the other poster pointed out that sometimes the hospital will pay your tuition for you to get your BSN, look into that if you love your place of employment and are willing to stay the required amount of years if they pay for your tuition. There's so many options out there, you just need to find out what's best for you.

Regarding your loans for your BSN, take it from someone who has a Bachelors degree, your student loans are peanuts compared to what one might think. If you're paying $500 a month in student loans then either you've got a bad loan or you're paying more than the minimum because interest rates are so low for students. You can have a student loan for under $200.00 a month, which is peanuts considering you're making more as a BSN graduate than had you not been a nurse period.

Just do what you feel is right for you. Me, I didn't want to sit around on my butt waiting for some RN school to accept me even though I had decent grades. I opted for the LVN route and I'm glad I did. My friend who finished all her prerequisites before me is still waiting to get into a RN program. She had good grades too, but I'm ahead of the game compared to her.

Weigh out all your options and what needs you have as a student. Then decide from there. You've received a lot of helpful information from everyone here. Good Luck

nkara, CNA · Aug 23, 2009

I'm glad you received some clear cut answers to this question. I know for me personally it's not worth me getting my LPN first. My state doesn't hire LPN's anymore unless I wanted to go into a LTC facility which I don't. I'm currently a CNA at a childrens hospital and love it. I am pursuing my RN -associates first and will then pursue the BSN online possibly once I'm done and working.

Good luck to you and congratulations.