New to Nursing

[rachjc727]

Hi! I just joined, mainly to ask this one question.

I am 20 years old and wanting to begin a nursing degree, preferably online but I can work around that. It looks like, just from google, that an LPN degree is where I need to start...? I also see "Practical Nursing" a lot but can't tell if it's the same. I eventually want to earn a BSN degree and just need a little help on getting headed in the right direction. Any advise would be awesome!

[Always_Learning, BSN, RN]

Hi Rach!

Well, after way too many years of reading college catalogues and program descriptions (and finally getting into nursing school myself), here's what I can tell you:

LPN = Licensed Practical Nurse

RN = Registered Nurse

One can become a registered nurse by completing a diploma program (normally 2 years), an associate's degree (or ADN, which is normally 2 years), or a bachelor's degree (BSN, which is normally 4 years).

Some folks opt to go the LPN route first, then transition to RN, then BSN. Some go straight to RN, then BSN. And others go the BSN route right away. It really depends on what options are open to you, what your finances can handle, etc. etc. Do some looking around and decide what is right for you. I definitely want to get a degree, but the hospital I work at provides free tuition for its diploma nursing program, so I'm there! Then I can take a few more classes to get my associate's.

You will, at some point, have to go to class because of the clinical component of any nursing program (whether it's 2 or 4 years, LPN or RN). But once you get your RN, there are lots of programs you can take entirely online to get your BSN.

Hope this helps - best of luck to you!