Need advice on nursing career

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I am currently going to school to be a medical assistant. I would like to go back to nursing school in the near future but I don't know whether to go for an LVN or RN. I also have a 5 month old daughter so I'm not sure of when to return to school. Of course I will work in the field as an MA after I graduate in November. Please if anyone has any advice it will be very appreciated.

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Specializes in progressive care telemetry.

My neighbor who is a NICU nurse has "just" a diploma from an RN program that was a 1 year program that doens't even exist anymore. She told me to totally bypass the LVN/LPN and get an RN. She said the salary disparity between LVNs and RNs is huge and is totally worth it to go the extra time and get an RN degree.

Good luck!

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I wouldnt waste your money on medical assistant school. I did that back in 97 and still have no job. They all want experience and no one will give it to you.

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Whether to become an LVN or an RN is a big decision for many people. The best choice for you may not be the best choice for someone else.

It usually comes down to a few things- money, time, availability of program, wait lists and your family/ personal situation.

Sit down and think about those factors. That may help you reach your decision. Hedge your bets and apply to as many types of programs as you have prereqs for (LVN and RN).

If you become an LVN you may decide later to take a bridge program to the RN. You may decide you like being and LVN and do that forever.

Good luck to you. We are always here to answer questions

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I think it would be best to check around with your local programs and go from there. Some places have long waiting lists for RN programs and it's easier to bridge over later. Some places don't have that long or no waitlists. I would do some research in your local area and find what's right for you, then go talk to the school counselors and they can give you and even better idea of how to go about reaching your goal. Good luck!

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jlhalloween,

Like you I was also a MA student, but unfortunately I had to tranfer out after I found out that my credits would not transfer, not even my math's and english's bc i was in an accelerated program and my classes were only 5 weeks long. How long was your program? Do you enjoy what you are learning as an MA? I start my pre-reqs for the RN program at a local community college in augest and for a while I was considering doing the LPN course so that I could eventually bridge over, but a friend of mine who is a nurse informed me that after my first year of my ADN, thru the college I am going to go thru I will be able to sit for the PN-NCLEX exam. My suggestion to you is to look around, see if you some of the programs will allow you to sit for your PN-NCLEX after your first year. Do this only if the waiting list at the college is not long, or if there is no waiting list. Luckily for me, my college has no waiting list but is first come, first serve. If all the colleges you apply for have a really long waiting period before you are accepted I would suggest looking into the LPN-RN bridge program. Good luck with whatever you decide.

~carebear~

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