Need some advice - LPN first, then RN?

[HopefulLInurse]

Greetings to all,

I am thrilled to have found this site! I've been a lurker for a while and decided to take the plunge and join in.

I need to ask for some advice. I will try to make this as short as possible.

Given that the nursing schools in my area (Suffolk County, Long Island) are so competitive, would the quicker route be to go for LPN first, then go for RN?

I am presently taking A & P 1 at Suffolk Community College. I am loving the class and I have an A average so far (will be keeping that up!). I am just afraid that even if I do get high grades in all my prerequisite classes, there are so many people applying for seats at nursing schools, I may still not be accepted.

I do understand that going for an LPN would be just as hard as going for an RN, i.e. the classes will be just as intense. I would also be attending school at night, so I understand that getting the LPN would take over a year.

However, most of the schools here give precedence to LPN's trying to enter their BSN programs (at least that's what I've been told by advisors at these schools) and there is also the chance that the institution that I would be working at may help out with tuition (please correct me if I'm wrong on this).

I am looking for any advice that you would have to give. I realize that getting into nursing these days is not the easiest thing in the world and would like to know what my options are.

Thank you all very much for reading this!

[Ms Future Nursie]

I'm in the EXACT same boat as you! I've applied to two LPN schools and two RN schools. RN is my first choice of course, but if I have to do LPN then RN, then that's what I have to do! My thinking...it's easier to get into RN school once you have your LPN b/c RN school is very very competitive now days.

[ohmeowzer RN, RN]

i have nothing against LPN's at all. i think you should go straight for your RN, because you will have more job choices and a better pay for doing the same work a RN does.

i think it all depends on your needs. working as a LPN the pay is very good, and it's a quick way to get into the job market. LPN's work in home health , hospice, long term care and in some hospitals. my hospital no longer hires LPN's, and that seems to be the trend.

good luck on your schooling and keep us posted on how you are doing !

[Ms Future Nursie]

I would def. rather go straight into RN. My long term goal is Nurse Practioner, but RN school right is very difficult to get right into. I've applied and I'm praying I get in b/c that is the route I prefer!

Also, I've heard the a lot of hospitals aren't hiring LPNs anymore...I'm wondering why?

[donnasRN]

Hey, congrats on the A average! :yeah:If I were you, I'd go straight for the RN. I work in a hospital and they stopped hiring LPN's, I've heard most hospitals have started doing that. The LPNs we do have, have been strongly encouraged and given the option to get their RN online, but that is offered only for the ones that were already hired (most have been there for a few years). They also limited them in not being able to work nights, and they can only work during the day shift if a RN is working. This began about 2 years by the JCAHO, OMH, etc. who are implementing these regulations in medical facilities. From my understanding, LPN programs will be done away with and most places are actually encouraging Associate Degree Nurses to get their BSN. I hope this helps, and good luck with everything!

[EverNurseRN]

if you can, go straight through for your rn....i got my lpn first and regret it on sooo many levels...pays about half what the rns make in my area, i can't work in a hospital, and now that i am working, i have to go online to get my rn...i wish wish wish that i would have just waited and went straight through...

good luck to you!

jocelyn

[Delirious]

As a BSN I have been nothing but impressed with the LPNs with whom I work. Their skill levels are often much better than those of many of the RNs where I work. In hindsight I wish I had gone the LPN to RN route. The length of training is essentially the same regardless of which route you choose.

[nursekara78]

I graduated high school as an LPN (they offer vocational school w/ junior and senior yrs). I went to college right away and worked part time as LPN. I am glad I went that route. I think it is a good thing to "walk in those shoes". You get more job opportunities and thus...experience. There really are some amazing LPN's out there. (I work w/ some too).

However, I only recommend it if you are going to follow through w/ RN. If it is what you want, then you HAVE to accomplish it. In the long run, RN gives you way more career opportunities and advancement.

Good Luck and congrats on that A!!!

[kcochrane]

I graduated high school as an LPN (they offer vocational school w/ junior and senior yrs). I went to college right away and worked part time as LPN. I am glad I went that route. I think it is a good thing to "walk in those shoes". You get more job opportunities and thus...experience. There really are some amazing LPN's out there. (I work w/ some too).

However, I only recommend it if you are going to follow through w/ RN. If it is what you want, then you HAVE to accomplish it. In the long run, RN gives you way more career opportunities and advancement.

Good Luck and congrats on that A!!!

I'm with you. I got my LPN first and should graduate in December with my RN. I had got laid off and needed to get back in the workforce quickly. But I do not regret it. I'm glad I've had the experience of being a LPN first. But being an RN does give you more options.

To the op: whether or not you get your LPN first depends on several factors IMHO..some of which I am repeating.

Do you need to get working quickly?

Are there jobs in your area that you would be willing to work as a LPN? Some places do not hire LPNs in the hospital, but my area still does.

How long is the wait list, even if you get good grades for RN school? In my area, if you have your LPN and at least a C average in the pre-reqs, the slide you right into the next nursing class. You can also challenge some classes, so also check that out. Non LPN students can wait up to a year to get in.

Good luck with whatever you do!

[HopefulLInurse]

I want to say thank you to everyone who replied to my question!

I guess I'm just chomping at the bit here; I'm presently working in an office job that is really boring...LOL! I'm the kind of person that once I decide I want to do something, I want it to happen RIGHT NOW.

I already have a BA in English, but, unfortunately, that degree is not doing anything for me right now. I just don't want to go through the same situation - where I spend a lot of money for a certificate that I won't be able to use or spend money (and time, and effort, and discipline) taking and getting good grades in my prerequisites and still not be accepted.

I agree that getting the LPN may give me a "leg up" for getting into an RN program. I have checked these boards and the want-ads in my area and found out that LPN's are making basically the same amount of money that I'm making now working in an office.

It's something that I will have to think about further before deciding.

Thank you all again for taking the time to answer! I appreciate it!

[Delirious]

I also already had a bachelor's degree (in business). I actually chose a nontraditional cohort program which was called a BA/BS to BSN program. It took me 19 months to earn my BSN from start to finish. It was intense, but also worked full-time up until the final semester when we started into critical care. The classes were offered nights with clinicals on weekends. If you are in a hurry, you might look around for something like that. We had a student in our program that commuted for 2 1/2 hours each way. All but one of us passed the NCLEX on the first try, and each of us found employment immediately. Again...just something else to consider.

[JA27]

Can you tell me the name of this school?? Thanks