LPN school?

[chacha82, ADN, BSN]

I have been accepted into a wonderful LPN school. The RN school is 70 miles away. Currently, my husband and I own a great home and LPN school will allow me to work, go to school, etc. My concern with the RN school is that a 70 mile commute 5 days a week will limit my study time and work time. LPN school is also cheaper. I know I'd earn more as an RN, but not working and paying for gas/car payment/all other monthly expenses will surely hurt our household finances. The bills would be completely on my husband, who is a teacher. We're not millionaires!

I'm thinking it's just better to go for the LPN and try to do a bridge program later...does this seem like a good idea? I've had student debt before and it took 7 years to pay off so I don't want to go down that road again. Am I out of my mind?

[BloomNurseRN, ASN, BSN, RN]

Honestly, I think you answered your own question. You have looked at the pros and cons of both and come to a very logical conclusion. Getting your LPN while working will allow you to keep your debt low (or have none at all), avoid the miles on your car, and keep your job. Those are all excellent things.

Also, once you become an LPN, you can absolutely work while in school (weekend shifts are almost always open) to keep your debt low and build up your experience. You have made a great argument for becoming an LPN and bridging to RN. :-)

[Kimynurse]

That is what I'm going

I love being a nurse, and finished my first semester of RN school.

Good luck

[DisneyNurseGal, BSN, RN]

Check the situation where you live. The town where I live (100,000 people) only has 1 hospital and they aren't hiring LPN's anymore. The care centers here are hiring RN's because they can get an RN for what they used to pay LPNs, because so many RNs need jobs. Unemployment is so high here for LPNs that the LPNs school here have not had a program in over 2 years. Just make sure you have employment options, and I think you are on the right track for your family!