Need LVN and RN advice !

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Feb 6, 2006

At age 23 I had none of the RN prerequisite classes completed, so I paid a tuition of $20,000 to attend a private LVN program in southern California.

I plan to complete an LVN-to-RN bridge program in the near future.

If you absolutely cannot wait to get into nursing, then the LVN would be the quickest way into entry-level nursing. If you're willing to complete the prereqs and do a little waiting, then the RN is the way to go. Ultimately the RN license will result in more career opportunities and higher salary.

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Feb 6, 2006

Hi kerybery and welcome to the boards. My advice is to go for your RN degree right off and here is the reason why: LVN school costs more than just going to your community college and getting a higher degree. Plus if you go to community college you don't have to pay all at once. You pay some each semester which makes it easier on the pocket book. In the long run it will take you longer to become an RN if you do LVN first. Think of it this way.... you are ONLY 22 :) and have plenty of TIME (especially since you have no childre) to study hard and go for your RN which is what you really want anyway. I know that it's hard to wait and right now you're looking at the end, how old will I be when I finally get such and such done. Don't look at it that way. Take one semester at a time. You can apply to your community college RN school after taking your science pre-requisite courses and then while you are waiting you take your other courses like Psychology and Sociology and your general ed. It should take you 5 years to get thru the entire program if you attend full-time.

Here is another major concern that you should keep in mind. Many hospitals have new grad RN training programs. They want to hire the new grad RN. I have never found one that had a new grad training program for LVN's. They don't mind hiring the experienced LVN. Also, several of those private LVN schools do not have a good reputation in the community so it's harder to get hired. If your degree comes from a college in your area then you can get hired by the local hospitals.

I too live in Southern CA (San Diego area) so that's why I know these things are true for this area. May be different in other parts of the country. (Heck if I were a hospital administrator trying to save money I would hire lots of LVN's because I could pay them less and they do just about the same job!)

Also, a bit about me, I'm going for my LVN because I'm in my 40's and don't have all the time in the world. My husband just retired from his job and I need to get a full-time job to provide health insurance for my family. My LVN school is adult ed and has an excellent reputation in the community. We've been told we can get hired right out of school when the employer is asking for one year of experience as a nurse. My school is a good school and this is the right path for me. And it only costs $2,500! But sometimes I feel down becuase I know then I will have to take the time to go back to school to do the LVN to RN transition program. I have a family to take care of too and I know that working full-time and going to school won't be easy. I just wish I could go straight for my RN but that will take longer and our health insurance will run out. Since you don't have these concerns just go for your RN right now. In the long run you will be glad you did. :specs: That was the advice everyone gave me when I had the same questions as you as to what route I should go. I think it's good advice.

Keep us posted on your decision!

blessings, FW :nurse:

Trauma Columnist · Feb 6, 2006

I don't live in CA, rather in the cornfields of the Midwest. However, I did my LPN first only because my husband was in the military and I didn't know how long we would be living in one place. I would just bite the bullet and go for a BSN if I had to do over. The reasons are several:

1. Many more job opportunities.

2. When you get some experience as an RN, you may want a masters degree and you will already have the BSN completed.

Since you are young, no kids, I would encourage you to explore the BSN route...in the end, it will give you more.

Good luck.

Lorie P. · Feb 6, 2006

ok just finished a 12 hr shift.

i live in ga and i went lpn route due to that facts: 1- age 40 when i started back to school..2- at the local votech lpn program, everything was paid for through pell and ga hope grants. 3.i wanted to make sure i could make it through the stress of nursing school ( post cabg x 2 and mitral valve repair 2 years before school) 3- finances, hubby was only one working and 4- had a 4 year old at home.

also the hospitals where i did my clinicals at all hire new lpn graduates due to the fact the program is a year long and clinicals are every tues, wed,& thur. so the nm of the floors and different units got to meet us and knew that we were getting experience as we were learning..

now that i am healthier and going on to complete my rn degree.

just my story!!

KST1123 · Feb 6, 2006

I was in a similar situation back 15 years ago and I did the LVN route and I am

so glad that I did because it was proof that I love what I do and it made good

money for me. Now I am attempting to get through RN

school (ADN) and the one thing is the experience I have had as an LVN has

been so helpful in my studies and will be for you as well if you do the same. If you need to get done quickly and start your career and make a descent living then my advice is LVN and you can always work towards the RN, being as young as you are you have so much time to do so. It's never to late for that but in the mean time you will be learning and earning!

Inquisitive one · Feb 6, 2006

I got my LVN at age 38 and my RN at age 48. Having worked as a nurse for 10 years helped a lot when in the RN program. You are young, have little commitments (no children) and have nothing but time going for you. Time is going to pass anyway so you might as well do something productive with it. So in ten years instead of saying I should have, just do it. Take as many prerequesites as you can now and get your name on waiting lists for both programs and make a decision when your name comes up. I'll never regret doing things the way I did them. I learned excellent bedside nursing skills in the LVN program which were enhanced by advanced theory in the RN program. Being as young as you are I would definitely go the BSN route if and when you decide in an RN program. Go for it - don't remain idle and waste time deciding. Time has a way of slipping by and you don't want to be kicking yourself later with I should have thoughts.

LPN1974, LPN · Feb 6, 2006

My advice is just "Go!" Do something. LVN or RN....do it.

You won't regret it. If you go LVN first, that's ok, ......you are better off than not having gone, and if you can see your way to do RN right off the bat, that's good.

Just get in a program. You will not regret it.

If you go LVN first, you don't have to stop there. You can go back later. I understand there are LVN to RN bridge programs that are easier to get into.

We all want a career that we love, but we have to face facts, too.....we have to eat. We have to be able to pay the bills and support ourselves.

That's an obligation we have to ourselves, no matter what we do.

loriannlpn · Feb 6, 2006

There is many different ways of compeleting your nursing goals. It depends on if you want to get into it and get your feet wet.

I have always wanted to be a nurse. Came from a Business career. 31 years old ( at the time) and decided it was time to live for me. I took a CNA class, quit my career, worked as a CNA until I got into the first program that came available. ( good cridentials) Got my LPN, worked very hard to obtain it. Not an easy road. I worked as a LPN for less then six months and started the "bridge" program. It is a program where 1 +1 = ADN. I feel that I "shine" more then RN students that have never stepped into any type of care facility. Based on my experience while being in the field already.

Basically, If your finacial situation will allow you to take 2+ years to get your ADN straight forward. It is for you.

I heard allot of people say that the 1+1 programs are expensive. Yes they are, but in a traditional college setting you need to have pre-req's to get into certain classes which costs $. So, I would weigh your options, your goals and see what is best for you.

I would have never changed the experiences I have had and the way I am doing it. Being a NA, LPN is a great attribute to being a good RN.

I was a better PN student because I was a NA before PN.

Good luck with your decision.

L&D_2b · Feb 6, 2006

Help !!!
Let me start off be telling you guys my back round and where Im at in my life. I'm 22 years old recently married with no kids and I work in a hospital as a secretary in an out pt. sx center. I have my cna but am not currently using it. Here is me situation. I have always wanted to be a nurse but I just dont know weather to go the lvn route or rn. I'm just so bummed that all the nusing schools have at least one year wait list, by the time i get done with my pre-reques. it will be three years and then apply it will then be 4-5 and then go through the program 2 years. Im just so excited to start school. what I want to know is if a vocational school would be better and then work on my rn while wrking as an lvn ? Also as an lvn would i make enough to make it worth spending 23,000 to get my lvn or should i go to a jr. college and not graduate for 6-7 years ??? Please help...

I already have a bachelors degree in another field, so I qualify for a BS to BSN program that usually take 12 to 18 months to complete. However, these have a two year waiting list just to get in. In addition, all of the RN diploma or Associates degree programs do also in this area. Therefore, I'm going the LPN route for two reasons. 1. It's the only type of nursing evening/weekend program we have around here. ( I have a husband and 4 children). And 2., the waiting list is MUCH shorter. I can do an Lpn license and then an Lpn to RN bridge program in shorter time if I want to then to just wait around for an RN program to have a spot for me.