Need Advice in Deciding between LPN or RN

Nursing Students General Students

Published

Hi everyone. I really need some advice. First, here's a little background. I have worked in healthcare most of my adult life. I was a CNA for 10 years. I have always wanted to be a nurse. Several years ago, I took most of my pre-req's for nursing at a community college. I ended up leaving with my GPA in the toilet after a bad marriage. My GPA was great until the last semester I attended and I dropped after the deadline so I got all zeroes which brought my GPA way down. Anyway, FF 7 years later, I got into LPN school, and was in 2 and 1/2 months before I had to leave due to medical issues. My grades were excellent, and they are going to let me come back in September if I want. My problem is that I really need to work full time and it is very difficult to do during the LPN program which is M-F days. I have six more classes at the community college to finish, and the BSN program I'm looking into has a nights and weekends course. I'm thinking about finishing up my pre-req's and then applying to that BSN program. This way I can work during the day, go to school, and still afford to live. However, my GPA there now is a 2.74. I need at least a 3.0 to get into the BSN program. I feel like I can get it up there with the six classes I need to take, but there is a risk of not getting in to the BSN program. I am already accepted into the LPN program so I'm afraid of letting it go, and then not being able to get into the BSN program. I know there is a risk to anything, I just want to make the right choice. I planned to go for the BSN anyway, and it will take about the same amount of time regardless. Sorry to be so long, I just really need a fresh mind set to help me.

Thanks everyone,

Andria

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm not sure how your school is, but with mine if you repeat a class you've failed, they drop the zero and go with the new grade. Even without that, I think if you do really well in those classes, you could make the 3.0.

Personally, I went through LPN first to make a little more money and am currently working on finishing general studies for my ADN. It worked for me because school is flipping expensive and so is life haha. I'd never be able to pay for anything if I was still doing my old job.

Dunno if that helped or not.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Talk to the actual nursing counselors/admissions office at the school offering the BSN. Would a 3.0 guarantee acceptance or is that what you need to apply.

Because if that is what you need to apply, a 3.0 might not cut it. This is because if they have 200 seats, but 500 applications, they are going to choose based on GPA top down, meaning that people with 3.2, 3.5, and 3.9 are going to get accepted, not 3.0. At my school, and ADN program, 2.5 is the cut-off to apply, but anything below a 3.2 means that you will probably not get accepted.

You need to confirm their policies on repeated classes and such to make sure they will accept it. I would do some research and try to speak to people currently in the program and see what they needed to get it. Are there other criteria besides just GPA? Entrance exams or interviews.

If I were you I would weigh the likelihood of getting accepted vs the acceptance already in hand

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for your response. I'm not sure if my school does that, but it is definitely worth looking into. Does your ADN program require you to take A&P/Micro even though you completed the LPN program?

Thanks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks AspiringNurseMW, I really need to check into that. I know they require you to take the Kaplan Nursing Entrance Exam. It is a private school, and people have told me it is easier to get in because their tuition is higher and they accept more students. I really don't know how true this is, but if I went that route, I would really aim to get my GPA above 3.0 if humanly possible.

However, it is scary for me to give up the acceptance in hand, not knowing what could happen if I go the other route. I don't know if having my LPN would make it easier to get into a RN program. Even though it was stressful, I really enjoyed the brief time I had in LPN school, and the instructors were great.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Thanks for your response. I'm not sure if my school does that, but it is definitely worth looking into. Does your ADN program require you to take A&P/Micro even though you completed the LPN program?

Thanks.

Yes, they do. They're actually the last few classes I need to finish up before I can get into the RN program. I knew way back when I should have taken a&p 1&2 instead of the 1 semester overview type class. Lol I wish I had planned a little better.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

If you got your LPN you would bridge to a RN. They are called transition programs. You would have to finish the prereqs required which usually entails several A&P classes and a micro class. Some schools will offer the LPN-BSN program but not many do because you have additional clinical required to be licensed as a RN. Most CCs will do a transition program that lasts a year and there is the clinical component and then you would have your ADN. Then you could do a complete online RN-BSN program. Is there anyway you could change hours at your current job to attend the LPN program? I only ask because if they need a 3.0 min and your are at a 2.7 depending on how many classes you have, that can take a while. Also, as a PP mentioned you may not make the cut. My CC was super competitive and with the 4 classes they looked at, you needed all As to get in. Also a private college is going to be insanely expensive. The one here that offers the BSN is like $60k a year. To me that is insane. Look at what is right for you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

That's about the cost of the private school I'm looking into. My current job is in medical billing, and it's days only. I've thought about going back and re-taking a CNA course, as I stupidly let it expire, but not sure it's worth it. After the first trimester of the LPN program I can sit for the test without paying for a class, and it's possible to get hired as a nurse tech here during clinical rotation. The first 4 months will be the hardest for me money wise, even then I'm not sure I can make it either way on reduced salary and hours. But I also realize if I want it bad enough there has to be a way to make it work. I really appreciate everyone's responses. It's helped me realize I've really got to find a way to make the LPN course work. Have any of you worked as a caregiver? I was wondering if it would be a good alternative to CNA until I finish the first trimester. Anyone else work part time during school? Someone once suggested retail pharmacy tech. I'm sure that would be good experience for pharm classes, but not sure about the job. Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment