LVN first or straight to RN?

Published

Hi everyone!

I am strongly considering changing careers. I have a degree in Marketing and have worked along those lines for a while. My understanding is that quite a few of my college credits (except for the sciences) will probably transfer over. So, I'm trying to figure out which direction I want to take. I know that I eventually want to be an RN. But, should I just get my LVN first for experience? Or do I go straight for my RN and hope to get hired even though at that point I'll have no outside experience?

I'm really excited about this prospect! I have an appointment to meet with an advisor tomorrow and she may be able to also give me her thoughts, but I figured you "in the trenches" would have a better perspective.

Also, I heard that getting my BSN really wouldn't be worth my time or money...that they don't pay more if you have your BSN. Is this correct? I live in Houston and am looking at Lonestar-CyFair...

Thanks so much for your advice!!

Kim

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would go straight for the RN. I've been both and the LPN experience didn't count in hospitals when it came time to look for jobs.

The BSN doesn't pay more but it does open doors.

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in interested in NICU!!.

if you have the time and money go for your rn, isn't that your ultimate goal? but if other things in your life such as finalcial might be needing for you to get your lvn and start working sooner, but i just look it at this way, what's one more year to get the rn? i am getting a bsn because i do not want to be a bed side nurse throughtout my nursing career, i would like to step up the ladder and for that we at least need a bsn, from what i've read and been told.

good luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in UR, oncology, L&D, IVTherapy.

Well, in Ohio a lot of hospitals are letting LPN's go.I don't know what the prevalence is nation-wide.re:experience - we hire new grads. Re: BSN - generally no more pay, however it opens a lot more doors. I prided myself on the ability to critial-think with the best of them and learned so much from everything I was exposed to, but I am currently unemployed and finding that a BSN would be extremely helpful in procuring the job I am looking for.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

My area doesn't hire LPNs or even ADNs. I'm personally going for a BSN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
My area doesn't hire LPNs or even ADNs. I'm personally going for a BSN.

Woah. What area do you live in?

I have heard that Houston isn't exactly "newly graduated with no experience" friendly, so I'm a little concerned about getting a job after working so hard for this degree.

After everyone's input, I'm feeling that it may best to get my ADN and go for my BSN while working....

Thank you SO much for everyone's thoughts on this! That's EXACTLY what I needed!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

Traverse City, MI. The hospital there is Magnet. They haven't hired LPNs in at least 10 years, and now require RNs to have their BSNs or be on their way to getting them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

You would likely qualify for admission into an accelerated RN-BSN program because you have a previous degree.

I've been an LVN for nearly 4 years, and I'm scheduled to graduate from an associate's degree RN program in a few months. The BSN degree is not a waste of time, especially if you intend to remain in nursing for years to come. What would you do if your body could no longer handle the rigors of bedside nursing due to aging or injury? The BSN degree would enable you to get a job away from the bedside if you are no longer able to do physical hands-on work.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Clinic, Med/Surg, Ortho.

I know what your going through. I ultimately want to be an RN, but with the long wait list in community college I applied for LPN. I'm starting LPN in Jan and will move onto an RN in the near future.

It's your decision what you do, but I have read alot of other posts that are doing the same thing as me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Threads merged. . .

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Foot care.

I just got my BSN. It's a second degree for me, I'm a career changer. For me, personally, it would have helped to be an LPN first. I think the practical experience with patients, in a hospital (or even a nursing home), would have been valuable. Even being an aide would have been helpful, though at least as an LPN you get to do more nursing. In my area (MA) there are not a lot of hospital jobs for LPNs but there are some. I like to think that if you are smart, and confident, and know your stuff, then you will be considered. I may be a "pie in the sky" thinker, though. BSNs are preferred in my area, though we have plently of ADNs. If you are a hands-on learner, getting the bedside experience I think would be invaluable.

My 1 cent.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion