LVN or RN

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2009

My friend was in a similar situation to you. She had a previous BS degree in public health with a mediocre cumulative grade point average of 2.6, which was not competitive enough to get admitted into any local RN programs. The accelerated BSN was an option for her, but the tuition of $42,000 was too much to swallow. She ended up completing an LPN program, and is now enrolled in an LPN-to-RN transition program and will graduate in a few months with an associate degree in nursing.

Keep in mind that you might not be able to find an LVN job as a new grad if you live in certain states. For example, new grads in California have been mostly shut out of their local job markets because there's actually a surplus of nurses in that state instead of a nursing shortage.

DogWmn · Dec 16, 2009

Going LPN/LVN first is a good idea for several reasons, you will find out if nursing is for you for a lot less money than any RN program will cost, and you can bridge to RN later or not if you decide nursing is not for you.

If you have no prior knowledge of what nursing is all about you might even consider doing Tech/CNA work for a while to make sure before you commit.

Good luck

itsjaypee08 · Dec 16, 2009

THanks you guys! I think i want to do the LVN program but i am still looking at different options! If nursing is something i want to do, i want to get my BSN, do you guys know if there are programs that bridge the LVN to BSN?

delilas · Dec 17, 2009

For me, the decision was hard too. I am an LPN who is now deciding to go through with RN schooling.

My LPN tuition was 16,000 - of which, I took out about 10k in loans for. My pay is about 32,000 a year.

So I had to ask myself: is it better to be in 10k of debt (not counting car and previous school loans) to make 30k a year, or add another 15k on it to make 50k a year (average RN salary in my area)?

I finally decided not based on monetary values (though that is still a huge factor...I got bills to pay and I want to start a family soon!) but on the fact I don't like being the bottom of the totem pole, and I want to DO things. I want to do challenging tasks like central lines and care plans and be more involved in my patients lives than I am as an LPN. That is where the real answer for you may be.

I haven't heard of any LPN-BSN bridges around here, but there are several LPN-RN-BSN step programs (like the one I'm currently going through). The nice thing about it is the majority of RN-BSN work is online.

Hope that helped!

itsjaypee08 · Dec 17, 2009

Hypothetically, if i go through the LPN RN BSN would that cost more than actually going though the accelerated BSN program? But then again it is also my grades that make it hard for me to apply to the school i would like to go to. This is a hard decision.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 17, 2009

Hypothetically, if i go through the LPN RN BSN would that cost more than actually going though the accelerated BSN program? But then again it is also my grades that make it hard for me to apply to the school i would like to go to. This is a hard decision.

Indiana State offers an online LVN-to-BSN program that is accepted in all states. You would be able to go from an LVN directly to a BSN-prepared RN with this education. Also, WGU (Western Governors University) offers an affordable online LVN-to-BSN program.

itsjaypee08 · Dec 17, 2009

I guess you guys my real question is now, should i just keep going at it trying to get accepted to a accelerated BSN program (which by the way may take 2 years or longer) or should i just go with the LVN program and continue through the LVN RN BSN program? i just dont like to sit around and keep taking some of the prerequisites over and over. In fact i have only B's in which i dont think is not that competitive. and in which i only completed 2. So this is some of the things that are running through my head as i decide.

BabyCatchr, ADN, ASN, RN · Dec 17, 2009

I am struggling with the same decision. I could be an LVN in 1 year. Or I could take 1 1/2 more yrs of prereqs and 2 yrs of school to get my BSN. Maybe by then the competition from California residents moving here will be so stiff I should have been an LVN??? and then bridge to BSN (1 yr LVN + 1 1/2 more yrs nursing school + 1 1/2 yrs of prereqs).

Snickerdoodles · Dec 17, 2009

I know there are bachelor's to BSN programs out there. Not sure what they consist of but it might be a faster road for you since you already have a degree. Also depending on what your degree is I wonder if you may be able to go for two years or so and get a masters in nursing?

I also know that the program I just graduated from you could take your LPN (same as LVN in IL) after 1 year in the program. Then a year later your RN boards. But those who came in from another school, or previously had an LPN had to take a year and half. So that may be worth looking into.

sasha1224 · Dec 17, 2009

One issue I see with completing the LVN/LPN versus RN is opportunity. As a LVN/LPN you may be limited to LTC or LTACs(if they even use LVN/LPNs). Not saying these places are bad, but the opportunities for an LVN/LPN are more limited. Many hospitals won't hire unless the person is an RN. If you can qualify and afford an accelerated BSN, go for it. Many RNs don't have a BSN. This will open up many opportunities for you. Good luck!

BabyCatchr, ADN, ASN, RN · Dec 17, 2009

I've looked into the BSN and am leaning towards it right now. But I have to take 1 1/2 yrs of prereqs first, including Chem II and Stats, ugh. And I have heard that I can take my LVN NCLEX (or whatever the correct term is) after 1 year, but that's still at least 2 1/2 yrs away, whereas there is a program here in town to get the LVN in 1 year w/no prereqs. Still seems like BSN may be the best option because it is the shortest overall route to an RN, which is my ultimate goal. If I get the LVN and then go on to RN, I will still have to do the prereqs and another 1 1/2 yrs of school.