LPN vs RN

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My husband is in the navy and will be stationed in Jacksonville, FL for atleast another 12-18 months. However in order to become an RN it takes about 4 years of schooling. 2 years of prerequisites and a 2 year program. I have only finished one semester of prerequisites to the nursing program at a community college in Michigan and i would like to continue my schooling to become a nurse. But my husband is going to be stationed in Virginia sometime next year so that won't give me time to start a school here in Florida and get my RN degree. I've searched high and low for an online program to become an RN but there is no such thing. However I have found an online program to become an RN or BSN with an LPN degree. I believe becoming an LPN only takes a year, but i'm not sure. If so that would work for me. I have found a college in Jacksonville with an LPN program. Once i become an LPN I could work as one and further my schooling to become an RN or BSN with online schooling and not have to worry where/when the navy will be relocating us next. Whats the difference between an RN and BSN and whats your opinion on becoming an LPN first? Are there any advantages or disadvantages to becoming an LPN first as far as experience, schooling, or cost? Thank you so very much for any information you can provide me! :bow:

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There are MANY threads on the different paths to becoming a nurse, what's the difference between LPN and RN, between ADN and BSN, etc. You can use the search function (link in the upper right hand corner) to find these threads.

In your situation, an LPN program sounds ideal since you could finish it in a shorter time period and still have the option to further your education when you relocate. You can also start working as a nurse sooner and find out if it's worth it to you to continue further studies in nursing.

One thing to find out about is the type of LPN programs available. Some tech schools' LPN coursework isn't acknowledged by other schools (eg community colleges, state universities) which can mean more classes to take if one later decides to get a further degree in nursing.

Good luck!

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Thanks alot i think becoming an LPN might just be the perfect choice for me and then i can further my education to become an RN. Do you think its more beneficial to become a BSN or RN? Does anyone know how long the schooling would be for either one?

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Does anyone recommend a good LPN program or school? I'm looking to eventually further my education so i would need all of the credits to transfer and I'm not looking for the best most expensive school or program just a decent program that someone would recommend because of the staff, classes, expense etc.

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Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.
do you think its more beneficial to become a bsn or rn?

a bsn is one of the ways to become an rn. bsn is a degree that, once you obtain, you are eligible to sit for your nclex-rn. upon passing this exam, you are an rn (there are other requirements depending on your state and whatnot, but this is the basic idea).

you can also receive an associates degree that allows you to sit for the exam, or complete a hospital-based diploma plan.

how long these take depend on whether or not you've taken any classes already, the number of students allowed in the program at one time, the availability of clinical sites, the requirements to continue in the program, and how many classes your schedule allows you to take at one time.

i have a bsn, and it took me four years of full-time courses. but i didn't have to face a waiting list for entry, or for clinicals, and i was able to be a full-time student because i didn't have any other commitments. i also passed all of the necessary courses with the necesary grades to advance. however, some of my peers took longer because everyone is different...some people don't have the money, motivation, or whatever to get through in the least amount of time.

jess

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Specializes in Assisted Living, Med-Surg/CVA specialty.

YOu don't necessarily need to go to school for 4 years to become an RN.

I'm currently an RN and the actually nursing program I went to was 2 years long. After the first year, you can sit for your LPN boards and after the second year, you can sit for your RN boards.

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Hello, Where in VA are U going to be located? I am in a online ADN RN program now. You do have to attend labs and clinical 2 nights a week (3-11). The program is VCCS commonwealth nursing program http://www.jtcc.edu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=200&Itemid=268.

Their is 4 colleges that have the program. It is a very intense program but so is most nursing programs. Good luck in your search,

Shannon

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Is an RN higher than a BSN?

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I've found an LPN program that takes 1 year and an LPN to RN program that takes 2 years. This would be quicker than my original plan of 2 years prerequisites and a 2 year program. Plus after i become an LPN i will be making money while continuing my education to become an RN. I'm hoping that the schooling to become an LPN will help with my schooling to become an RN as well. Is there anything i should be looking for in an LPN program? I went to the florida board of nursing and found an approved program thats only 23 mins from my home. What kinds of things should i be looking for in that program? What questions should i ask?

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Specializes in Medsurg/ICU, Mental Health, Home Health.
is an rn higher than a bsn?

rn refers to the license, stating that one is a registered nurse. bsn is the degree given by the nursing school, signifying a bachelors of science in nursing. one must graduate from a nursing school to become an rn, whether a bsn is received (usually from a university), an associates degree in nursing (community college), or a diploma in nursing.(hospital-based). is an rn higher...technically, because one must pass the nclex to become an rn. you don't have to pass it to get your bsn, or any degree...

let me put it this way...

an rn describes you (i'm your rn today)

a bsn descrbes what you obtained to get to where you are (i have a bsn).

jess

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