Need your input...Wait til fall or start LPN in February

LilStudent · Nov 11, 2004

I would go to become an LPN and then go on to RN. That's the route I'm going to take. I am able to start school for LPN in January. If I wait for RN I will be waiting forever. It's easier to get into the LPN to RN bridge program here. I don't think the waiting list is quite as long.

I like the fact that I will be able to work as a nurse in a hospital setting while I go on to become an RN. Plus, the hospital's tuition reimbursement will pay my tuition.

I have read that LPN's are being "phased out" and that it is difficult to find work. That's just not true here in Florida. It might be elsewhere. Besides, I don't plan on staying an LPN long. I think I will work for 6 months as an LPN to gain experience and then go on for my RN. It will be easier for me as a single parent to take school in smaller parts than to try to go for 2 years straight.

I hope you find what will work best for you! :)

SarasotaRN2b · Nov 12, 2004

Whereabout are you in Florida? I'm looking at going to the LPN program in Sarasota.

I would go to become an LPN and then go on to RN. That's the route I'm going to take. I am able to start school for LPN in January. If I wait for RN I will be waiting forever. It's easier to get into the LPN to RN bridge program here. I don't think the waiting list is quite as long.
I like the fact that I will be able to work as a nurse in a hospital setting while I go on to become an RN. Plus, the hospital's tuition reimbursement will pay my tuition.
I have read that LPN's are being "phased out" and that it is difficult to find work. That's just not true here in Florida. It might be elsewhere. Besides, I don't plan on staying an LPN long. I think I will work for 6 months as an LPN to gain experience and then go on for my RN. It will be easier for me as a single parent to take school in smaller parts than to try to go for 2 years straight.
I hope you find what will work best for you! :)

LilStudent · Nov 12, 2004

Tampa. The school I will be going to for LPN is a technical school. Luckily, I got in with their lottery system. They have a waiting list now. I plan on pursuing my RN training at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa also.

Squaw · Nov 12, 2004

If both will finish the same time....then so LPN to RN.

My reasons: You can be working as a LPN making wages while in school for RN (only if it is part-time) and you will also gain valuable experience.

Now if it was going to take you longer for this route I would say no..not worth it.

akcarmean, LPN · Nov 12, 2004

I agree I would say go with the LPN then do the bridge program. I have been an LPN for 4 years. Starting in Jan. I am going for the bridege program and my BSN. Good luck.

Angelia

NurseFirst · Nov 12, 2004

Okay, here goes...right now I am on the waiting list for my ADN program, since I've finished my prereqs, I'm 99% sure that I'll be accepted come Fall 2005, with graduation slated for May 2007. My other option would be getting into the LPN program which starts this February, runs for a year and then going into the Transition program at my college which starts May 2006 and also finishes at May 2007.
What do you all think?

Then you will start building upon what you learned in your pre-reqs immediately, and will be less likely to forget it. I like the idea that you will have your LPN and will be able to work--gaining valuable experience--while in the bridge program. Don't forget, too, that you can build up seniority with your employer, if you should decide to stay with them after you get your RN. Personally, I'd want to get my hands on direct patient care as soon as possible--so why wait? Those extra hours may pay off by being able to get into subsequent programs (for instance, physician assistant) which require so many hours of direct patient care.

I also believe a "bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush." Who knows what may happen in the future. Maybe it's all that Costco shopping that's made me this way...but I believe you should go for the earliest opportunity to be able to start doing what you want to do--who knows what the future may bring? Perhaps something could happen so that you couldn't have finished the two year program--and, if not, you still will have your LPN to fall back on!

I seriously considered, and have suggested to others, that if it seems like there is going to be a delay in getting into an RN program--then go the LPN route and bridge to the RN. It just amazes me that people are willing to spend 2+ years "waiting" to get into an RN program, when they could get useful marketable skills in the healthcare field during that "waiting period."

NurseFirst