Need some advice..

towntalker · Jun 26, 2008

difficult to answer there are so many variables

how long is the lpn program..it is certainly bridge from lpn to rn but it would put off final goal for several years ie yo would have to finish lpn school and then get a job and then start rn school

i don't know what kind of work you are doing now but going to either school is very stressful, many many people work while going to school but no body ever said it was easy

also another thing to think about is the type of nursing that you want to persue, many of the larger hospitals are cutting back on hiring lpns esp for med-surg positions

i hope that you make a good decision that fits your needs and aspirations

Lexxie, LPN · Jun 26, 2008

Another thing to think about, you have to have one year experience as an LPN before you can apply for the bridge program via the hospital (don't know about the CC here). Also in my part of PA (south-central), the hospitals aren't hiring LPNs.

MisterSimba, BSN · Jun 27, 2008

Another thing to think about, you have to have one year experience as an LPN before you can apply for the bridge program via the hospital (don't know about the CC here). Also in my part of PA (south-central), the hospitals aren't hiring LPNs.

I'm in CA and both of the hospitals I volunteer at do not hire LPN's, only RN's....so if it was me, I'd just go for the RN to begin with. I'm in the same boat as you....can't wait to start nursing school!

Have you looked into financial aid, scholarships, and student loans? Also, some hospitals will pay at least part of your nursing school tuition if you sign a contract to work there upon graduation. If it's a good hospital that you think you'd be happy at, it might be worth looking into.

Good luck!

AB092504 · Jun 27, 2008

The LPN program is 12 months, Jan-Dec. I don't believe the cc has a "bridge" program persay, from what I can tell, they just have advanced placement for the LPN wanting to come in. You can test out of the first year of nursing courses, so then that would just leave me w/ a year left. Is this the same as a "bridge" or is that a specific thing you sign up for and know you're starting when you start the LPN program at a specific school?

So the one year working as an LPN before going on to an RN program is a school by school thing? I was wondering if this was a nationwide thing but couldn't really find any information for Pennsylvania. My thought was to go LPN from Jan-Dec of 2009 and then start RN in Fall 2010..

Not sure about whether hospitals around here are hiring LPN's anymore. I do believe that some have them on staff, but I don't know if they're actively hiring anymore. I'm not sure what type of nursing I'm interested in as I have no healthcare experience . I've been working as a desk jockey since I graduated w/ my BA back in 2003. It's ironic that my husband works at a hospital (as an office manager, not clinical), so I keep telling myself I should go shadow one of his co-workers just to see what a unit's like..pediatrics and rehab are two things I've thought sound interesting, but again...no experience or any idea...

As far as financial aid, I do already have a degree, so I know that comes in to play. I wouldn't be eligible for grants. I was really hoping to not have to borrow money, which is what pushed me towards the cc option. But I wonder now if it's worth it just to take out massive loans and go Accelerated BSN and worry about paying stuff back later?? I don't have any idea really of what monthly payments are for loans. I was lucky in the fact that my Dad paid off all my loans for my degree and my in-laws paid my husband's way..so is it $100/month or $600/month? I read something on here where a lady took out private loans and then had $600/month payments :eek: . I know I'll be making more as an RN in the end, but my goodness...is that typical? And w/ the economy the way it is now, I worry that we'll be able to even get a loan.

Again, I appreciate any advice...thanks!

tiggerdagibit · Jun 27, 2008

If it were me, I'd do the ADN program at the cc. If I figured right (which I may not have.. it's been a long day. lol) and if you do have to work a year before the LPN to RN program, you could finish the ADN program before you would even start the advanced placement/ bridge program. See if this is right...

LPN Jan-Dec '09

work Jan-Dec '10

LPN to RN Aug '11 to May '12 (I'm assuming it starts in the fall, so that might not be correct.I'm also assuming that it's 2 semesters like ours is.)

ADN Aug '09 to May '11 if it's 5 semesters straight through like mine is.

I hope that makes sense. lol I'm only going by what I know of the programs. I'm currently in the ADN program and plan to do the RN to BSN program sometime down the road. Here there isn't a pay difference between ADN and BSN and since I don't plan on going into management right away.. lol, if ever, I'm not rushing the BSN.

On the other hand, if you're truly wanting to get away from your current job now, you could be working as an LPN sooner than if you do the ADN program. I think that's what you need to decide. Do you want to change jobs asap or become an RN asap?

Geez.. after thinking so much and typing that all out, I don't even know if that makes sense or helps you whatsoever! :chuckle

RedhairedNurse, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2008

I'm hoping for some advice on what path to take. I started my journey almost 2 years ago and have already taken A&P1&2 and Micro. I'm enrolled right now in a math class that's a prereq for the nursing program at a local cc. Once I finish that, I'll have everything I need to apply to the RN program for Fall 2009. I have a BA in Psychology and really thought I was going to go in to an accelerated BSN program when I started this, but figured out it's way too much money.
So now I've decided to do the cc thing because of finances and being able to work while in the program. My husband and I can't afford for me to stop working completely...
But my newest thought (believe me when I say they change week to week..I drive my husband and myself crazy:(:() is to go in to a full-time LPN program which would start in January (the ADN program doesn't start until August).
So I'd start sooner than the ADN program and be out in a year w/ a nursing job..and then could go back for advanced placement and finish the RN.
I guess my main question is if anybody worked, say, 30 hours a week while in an LPN program? I'm just so ready to be in a program now and done w/ my desk job. But am I doing the sensible thing if I go in to the LPN program? Or am I just going to put us in to debt? I'm not really concerned about finding a job because I see postings for LPN positions here in my area (central PA) all the time...but should I just wait for the ADN program to start? (if I even get in) I was really hoping to get through all of this w/out taking out loans, but I don't think there's any way I could work full time and go to LPN school..but it'd be nice to be making more $$ out of LPN school than what I do now...
Sorry so long, and I appreciate any advice/insight/hope/thoughts that anyone can provide. I feel like I've been for the past 2 years and am just ready to be a nurse!
Thank you for listening..

Go for the ADN... definitely! You'll just waste more time bridging to the RN program. You'll be thankful you chose this ADN route. I started to do LPN but decided to go for ADN. I'm so glad I did. There are LPNs I work with that have to go back for 16 months to get RN.....they've stated that they don't really learn anything that they didn't already know.

shelly304 · Jun 27, 2008

I am begin LPN bridge to RN in august. The hospital will pay with a one year contract. They also have an LPN program with 6 months of employment they will pay 100% (everything!) of school with a one year employ contract. This is in the southeast but check out all hospitals around you. I think you will have luck!

shelly

nocangel2 · Jun 27, 2008

Do the ADN. Check your local hospitals for those that are federally funded, (Veteran's etc.) there are special grants you can apply for when you work for them that will pay most of your tuition. 2 of my friends went that route. Also consider getting your NAC license. Its not that expensive and you can try out some different health care environments. Or just volunteer at a hospital, most schools require a certain amt of hours these days anyway! good luck.

AB092504 · Jun 27, 2008

If it were me, I'd do the ADN program at the cc. If I figured right (which I may not have.. it's been a long day. lol) and if you do have to work a year before the LPN to RN program, you could finish the ADN program before you would even start the advanced placement/ bridge program. See if this is right...
LPN Jan-Dec '09
work Jan-Dec '10
LPN to RN Aug '11 to May '12 (I'm assuming it starts in the fall, so that might not be correct.I'm also assuming that it's 2 semesters like ours is.)
ADN Aug '09 to May '11 if it's 5 semesters straight through like mine is.
I hope that makes sense. lol I'm only going by what I know of the programs. I'm currently in the ADN program and plan to do the RN to BSN program sometime down the road. Here there isn't a pay difference between ADN and BSN and since I don't plan on going into management right away.. lol, if ever, I'm not rushing the BSN.
On the other hand, if you're truly wanting to get away from your current job now, you could be working as an LPN sooner than if you do the ADN program. I think that's what you need to decide. Do you want to change jobs asap or become an RN asap?
Geez.. after thinking so much and typing that all out, I don't even know if that makes sense or helps you whatsoever! :chuckle

LOL! I understand the "long day" thing, worked all day yesterday and then had class until 9PM . This does make sense. I understand what you're saying. The ADN program is only 4 semesters though straight through..and I would be eligible to start (granted if I even got in), but prereq-wise, I'd be ready to apply for Fall 2009, so I'd be done Fall 2011...If I did LPN, my thought was that Jan-Dec 2009, then RN Fall 2010 to Fall 2011..so I'd end up finishing at the same time...if I didn't have the year of working in between to deal w/..

And I do want out of my job asap..but I'm worried about continuing to work while going to LPN school, or I could take out loans..and then I think if I'm taking out loans anyways, why not just try for the accelerated BSN and go all in??

I worry about having a hospital pay for my tuition because then you are bound to them. I do understand that if you find a good place and are planning on staying there anyways, that would beneficial..

But I don't know..again, I feel like I'm talking in circles :yawn:

nocangel2,

What's an NAC license? Is that a nursing assistant?

nocangel2 · Jun 27, 2008

Yes, Nursing assistant-certified. costs about 250$ to get the certification I believe.

AB092504 · Jun 27, 2008

Gotcha...yeah I've looked at a couple programs around here, they run around $600, and I'd have to stop working for three weeks...or work for a LTC facility and they'll train me, but I'll make a very low wage while training and then in the long run (a year later), I'll be making $5/hour less than I do now... I'd love the experience though..Thanks for the advice!