LVN or straight to RN?

NurseMorse · Jan 21, 2014

Hi I was wondering what you guys think about doing an LVN/LPN program before doing the RN program? I am currently trying to get into the LVN program but I keep thinking of my age. My biggest dream is to be a Labor & Delivery Nurse or a Mid Wife. But by the time I would get up that far with a Bachelor's and a Master's degree, I would be like almost 60 years old since I would have to do it very slowly having to pay for all my schooling myself. I used all my financial aid doing general ed classes in the past, and so now I am not eligible for anymore. What are your guys' opinions?[/quote']
Follow your instincts:-)

pmabraham, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2014

Good day:

While not for the same end goal, I looked at going for the LVN/LPN route first, then bridging to RN. I'm 50 now going on 51. While getting into the LVN/LPN program would be far easier, I decided to push straight through to a RN program. Go for it! Put your mind to it, plan where you can, adjust where you have to adjust, and move forward. Be that Mid Wife, Labor Delivery Nurse you want to be!

Thank you.

juilletmercredi · Jan 22, 2014

My mother is an LPN and she worked mother/baby and NICU for 10 years (she left her job recently). She said that she kind of lucked out getting into her department because she already knew an RN employed there, but that it was quite difficult for LPNs to get jobs in her department. Over time, she said, she lost privileges/job roles that were formerly open to her - she said that new administration came into the hospital and wanted to replace all of the LPNs with RNs, preferably BSN-prepared. First LPNs were disallowed from working in the NICU, even though at the time my mom had like 5-6 years of NICU experience. Then LPNs couldn't rotate onto the labor & delivery floor anymore (mother/baby LPNs were routinely rotated onto labor & delivery if they were short). My mom also said that certain things she was allowed to do before the new management said only RNs could do - something basic like placing catheters or doing injections, I can't remember. Finally she said the LPNs started getting laid off for various reasons, and she eventually left because she was injured but was asked not to return even though she had many accolades at this particular hospital.

Now this of course is just one hospital in one place, but I peruse nurse listings on the regular (for my own knowledge and for my mom, who's looking for another job). There are pages and pages of nurse jobs but 90% of them are RNs. Very few jobs are open for LPNs, and they make less money. Furthermore, I can't imagine that an RN program would take you very much longer than the LPN program.

On the other hand, if you have to do everything part-time/pay out of pocket, it may be worth it to get the LPN/LVN first. Some employers will pay for their employees to go back to school and get higher degrees, so you may be able to get the LPN quickly, get a job, and then have your hospital pay for your RN/BSN classes. (My mother's hospital was paying for her to take classes towards a BSN, although she was unable to finish.) There are also some LPN to RN and LPN to BSN programs that may cut down your total time.

RunBabyRN · Jan 22, 2014

If you are considering midwifery, you'll need a BSN. You can save yourself time by going right for that.

Find out what the requirements are to work in L&D in your state. Here in CA, I haven't seen a single LVN in L&D. Look at job postings at local hospitals and talk to nurses where you are.

PTKChic · Jan 22, 2014

I agree with previous poster. If you plan on becoming an RN, just go to school to be an RN. No fussing around. :)

FutureLVN2019 · Jan 23, 2014

Thank you for guys the motivation! :)

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Jan 23, 2014

If you're planning on obtaining an advanced degree, go for RN. If that is BSN first, great. If not, develop a plan to go from RN to BSN to MSN from the get-go. What I mean by that is that you need to plan to take prerequisite coursework all along that will prepare you not only for your nursing career in school, but set you up for entry into a master's program. You don't want to have to finish your BSN program, apply to your grad program, and be turned down because you didn't have some coursework that you didn't anticipate earlier.

You really want to plan your educational career that thoroughly. In essence, you're creating a script that you must simply follow once everything falls into place.

I'm not saying this in an effort to disrespect the LVN/LPN folks we have here. They're wonderful people and clinicians... but if you're at the beginning and you know where you want to end up, going LVN will just slow yourself down.

DadStudentPerhaps · Jan 23, 2014

I think it depends on every persons circumstances.

emde · Jan 24, 2014

It's a waste of time. It's better to go straight to the RN program. In my area LPNs are not even finding jobs. I go to school with many LPNs. LPN programs are being phased out over here, and it's even hard to find a school that offers an LPN-RN bridge. I'm so glad I only took the first semester of pre-req for the LPN. Then I moved to the BSN program. Best decision I've ever made!!

Alisonisayoshi, LVN · Jan 24, 2014

It depends on your circumstances. Where I live RN programs (BSN & ADN) are a crapshoot to get into, but BRIDGE programs are a lock. I am taking an LVN just to guarantee entry. I think it would also be helpful to be able to work while pursuing my RN, not just for the money, but also for the experience.

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Jan 24, 2014

It depends on your circumstances. Where I live RN programs (BSN & ADN) are a crapshoot to get into but BRIDGE programs are a lock. I am taking an LVN just to guarantee entry. I think it would also be helpful to be able to work while pursuing my RN, not just for the money, but also for the experience.[/quote']
R u in Cali or tx? If ur in north Cali the market is like the one Alison above described. But the state universities are merit based for bsn