Need Advice!!! RN or LVN!? Pls read, very complex situation!

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I'm going to try to make this as short and clear as possible. I have a complex situation and can't decide what to do :( I have talked to so many and everyone gives me wonderful advice (even my boss!) but I figured I could get the best advice from people who have been to nursing school.

Here's my situation in a nutshell:

  • I work full time in a very well-known medical facility where it's practically IMPOSSIBLE to get hired at (lots of competition) and I have great benefits, pretty much any benefit you can think of! Tuition reimbursement, medical insurance, great hours, great pay, lots of connections, paid leaves. As an administrative assistant.
  • My goal has been R.N. school for the past 2 years. I already have a B.A., and completed ALL nursing pre-reqs other than physio.

Now my dilemma is that I am so close to being able to apply to nursing school, but I have serious credit card debt (approx $20K). And a huge car payment, so this pretty much means I cannot afford to quit my job just yet. I am estimating if I work full time for another 2 years, I can pay off everything (I JUST started working full time, I got promoted from part time last month), then afford to quit working and my parents and/or bf (possibly husband by then) will help me with living expenses.

Working in a clinic I have seen up front the huge demand for nurses at any level, be it R.N. or L.V.N. I work with many L.V.N.'s and where I work their pay is fairly good ($28/hr +), hours are AMAZING and they can definitely work OT/weekends if they want. So that has started to make me think... what if I try an LVN program first?

That's my dilemma. I'm so close to R.N... But the money issue really sets me back :( I wish I had been smarter in my first adult years! I'm hesitant to spend $20K on LVN if I'm going to do R.N. in the long run, but really that's not the biggest issue. I am very attracted to doing LVN first because my company will help pay part of the cost, ($2K a year), I can continue working here if I do an 18-mo part time program, and pretty much have a guaranteed job when I finish the program. What I don't like about this route is that I probably won't do RN school for maybe another 5 years :( I am 25 right now.

I dream about being a nurse. I want it more than anything. I work closely with doctors and nurses and I go to work everyday wishing I was in their place. :(

My two options are to start LVN, keep my job, get an LVN job when done, then keep saving for when I quit my job for RN school. When I get an LVN job I'll be part of the union and I'll have even more security of a guaranteed job when done. Second option is to just keep saving now until I can go straight into R.N. school. The difference will be I guess time, and less money spent if I don't go the LVN route.

I know this is soooo so complex and probably a pain to read this all... but I would really appreciate your help!!! I have no idea what to do. I wish someone could just decide for me!!! Thank you so much to those who took the time to read this!

I say LVN first... I contemplated and contemplated a VERY similar situation.. I chose LVN fist which I will start Spring 2012. The reason I finally came to a decision was that RN school takes a few months up to a year to actually get in! So why not do LVN now and bridge to RN later. Chances of getting into an RN school as an LVN are much greater.. hope I've helped =)

Ps. Don't stay stuck with your wheels spinning and not moving anywhere.. =) Get in the nursing field so you don't have the sorrow of always wanting to be in their shoes! Get in their shoes! LVN is in fact a nurse as well! So just do it! =)

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Dave Ramsey would tell you to sell the car and get rid of the debt. Eat rice and beans and beans and rice. Then SAVE for school. BTW, how in the heck does one obtain 20K of credit card debt?

Ughhhhhhhh I have no idea. :( being 18-20, young and dumb, and having a shopping addiction. it's really a dark period in my life -_- definetly paying the consequences now!!!!!!

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Dave Ramsey would tell you to sell the car and get rid of the debt. Eat rice and beans and beans and rice. Then SAVE for school. BTW, how in the heck does one obtain 20K of credit card debt?

Part of it was also textbooks while working on my BA.. but it was mostly being young and dumb and wasting money.

I have $19,210 to be exact =/

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Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.

"i guess trying to do lvn first is a bad idea."

no it is not if that situation works better for you. rn programs are very competitive. how do you know you will get in an rn program?

i always say do rn first and do lpn as a back up. that's what i did and worked full-time as an lpn and finished rn school full-time in one year.

good luck!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Home Health, LTC.

There are some student loan forgiveness programs I believe- if you set up before you request loan..in exchange you would

commit to working in a rural area in need for specific period of time.... I have seen couple years.

Blessings~

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Specializes in PICU, ICU, Hospice, Mgmt, DON.

Stay far, far away from the private for profit colleges..whether it's for LVN or RN..you can get a very good education from state schools....$20,000+ for an LVN is CRIMINAL....or even for ADN/RN education...I don't care where you are located. (I didn't pay that much for my Masters degree! or for my Bachelors for that matter)...

and try to pay down that debt, and go to RN school. I worked while I was in nursing school and while it wasn't ideal it can be done. (I was also a single parent with a little kid) If you want something enough, you will do what it takes....just watch the tuition...ok?

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"i guess trying to do lvn first is a bad idea."

how do you know you will get in an rn program?

very true!

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Stay far, far away from the private for profit colleges..whether it's for LVN or RN..you can get a very good education from state schools....$20,000+ for an LVN is CRIMINAL....or even for ADN/RN education...I don't care where you are located. (I didn't pay that much for my Masters degree! or for my Bachelors for that matter)...

and try to pay down that debt, and go to RN school. I worked while I was in nursing school and while it wasn't ideal it can be done. (I was also a single parent with a little kid) If you want something enough, you will do what it takes....just watch the tuition...ok?

I guess I have an advantage because I don't have kids or a husband!!! Thanks for your advice and insight. Makes complete sense. That is alot of money.

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Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.

in addition, maybe you can just apply in an accelerated bsn (absn) program for a bachelor degree holder?

usually you do the program in less than 2 years and at the end, the school awards you a bsn. it is very expensive, however. so better do your research well.

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in addition, maybe you can just apply in an accelerated bsn (absn) program for a bachelor degree holder?

usually you do the program in less than 2 years and at the end, the school awards you a bsn. it is very expensive, however. so better do your research well.

i have looked into those! they sound great. thanks!

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
Dave Ramsey would tell you to sell the car and get rid of the debt. Eat rice and beans and beans and rice. Then SAVE for school. BTW, how in the heck does one obtain 20K of credit card debt?

Pretty much the same philosophy, minus the "old time religion" Ramsey is known for.

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Specializes in LTC, MDS Cordnator, Mental Health.

I had no choice...I waked full time &the went toschool full time....it is doable

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