Lpn vs Rn

I don't know who/what you are referring to in terms of people yelling that a LPN is a waste of time... but obviously it is a personal choice depending on what type of nurse you would like to be, as well as financially & time wise.

AGAIN?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

LPN, RN, MSN....they are all nurses. I applaud any and all.

not a waste of time if that is what you want to do. I work in a hospital and we no longer hire LVN's. Just saying

I'm an LPN/LVN and I do work in a hospital, that does hire LPN's.

LPN is not a waste of time. I busted my but in nursing school just like a RN would, but just not as long. So I make as much money as a RN, no, but I make enough to get by. I am now currently bridging to get my RN, but I definately do not see my LPN as being a waste of time because it will only take me 2 full semesters to get my RN.

Butt*

Seriously guys. Again and again. It really boils down to where you live and what opportunities are available to you. Some places have BSN grads pouring out and can be picky enough to only hire them for jobs. Other places still accept ADNs and are happy and satisfied with that. LPNs have an important role in many areas of health care. Yes, roles are usually different between LPNs and RNs. Who cares? Do what is best for you and be proud of it. If you aren't proud of it then change it.

~ No One Can Make You Feel Inferior Without Your Consent -Eleanor Roosevelt ~

AGAIN?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

^THIS!!!!

We REALLY need to scale back on this post. I've been in AN since 2004, and this has GOT to be the 11,298,384th post about this!!!!

Uggghhh!!! MAKE IT STOOOOPPPPP!!!

Rant OVER....:)

OP, please take a look at the various posts about this...the answers are pretty much the same.

I have answered to many as a former LPN, and now a RN (BSN)...I will flex my fingers and feel compelled to answer your post:

Do your research. If your area still employs LPNs at a good rate, then go for the LPN. Don't stop there if you desire to specialize, even in areas like critical care, Peds, etc. Those CCRN, CPN, BC behind nurses names are certifications by the ANA and ANCC are reserved to RNs. There are a few certs you can get from NFLPN (Pharm and Geri) and Wound Care from WCEI, but if you want a wound, continence, and ostomy care, that again, is provided to RNs.

RN will be a choice. If you areas are employing at a "BSN preferred" rate, bridge to the BSN. The flexibility and the freedom to go up the clinical ladder, even if you are not thinking about it, you will be able to when an opportunity comes up, you already have the advantage.

On a personal note, when I realized that the ADN is as long as the BSN (with the exception of 2-3 prereq's), it seemed logical to me to get the BSN. In my area, My education cost 5-10,000 more than the cumulative of the ADN at the community college, especially when you are going full time at a CC, and your tuition bill is 2-3,000 dollars already. I spent that amount in my first nursing semester and my last semester going at a part time status-now the junior to senior level was 4-5,000 part time because of the credit hours-BUT I was getting a Bachelors...it may look like a bargain for CC, but for the same program, I was willing to make that investment, and still graduate in 2.5 years with a BSN...In my area, going to CC for a ADN is FOUR years total-about a 1/2 to one year less than a Bachelors. It didn't add up to me...if I am going to go to school for a degree for four years, then my expectation is to get a four year degree, at least for me.

ADNs in my area are waiting up to 2-3 years to land a job in a hospital, while it took me 8 months; the outlook for BSNs are 1-1.5 years.

Again, research thoroughly; if you have, DON'T let anyone's opinion get the better of you. I had people who were my co-workers looong ago, so long ago they are totally irrelevant to me and my career, that looked at me funny and said, "You CAN'T specialize in two different specialties; you must pick ONE." I worked in TWO different specialties as a LPN; Rehab and Peds, and I work in Critical Care and Peds NOW...sounds like they were WRONG, and I could care less. You make your path your own...just be knowledgeable as to what direction you are heading to, so you can be successful in your journey. Get a budget plan, stick to it as well; you can have your work-life balance while making an investment in higher education. Good Luck!!! :)

New people come and innocently ask the question

New people come and innocently ask the question

No issues with that...It has been so much lately, sometimes it gets to a point that these threads could be good use for merging...

When I got in AN in 2004, I looked around for the discussions, use the search engine, etc, to see if I could get a response to a question. But I digress...my hands are going to get arthritic on my iPhone for repeating support :)...and I'm ok with that.