Noobie help - LPN to RN or straight to RN?

PurrRN · Mar 19, 2007

Ultimately, you are going to have to decide what your end goal is for your future and how the present fits into your life schedule. If nursing is what you want to do....start by getting the info for your local schools and then see how many pre-reqs you are going to have to take, how competitive the schools are etc.

I feel that going RN instead of LPN is the way to go, simply because alot of times people will get their LPN first intending to go right into an RN program, start working and then life gets in the way. We all know how this can happen. Then before you know it, it's 3,5, 10 years down the line before you find the time to go back to school.

Unfortunately, alot of places around the country have seriously ridiculous waiting lists to get into a nursing school slot. So if this is what you find, and you can get into an LPN school faster, I'd go that route (but make sure you research your classes and start taking them NOW, so that you could transfer to an LPN-RN bridge program immediately).

Of course my advise is strictly for if that's the way you want to go. Many people are happy being LPN's and have no wish to get their RN degree. I just figure why limit your opportunities and money making ability.

Good luck in which ever path you choose.

AimeeJo RN · Mar 19, 2007

I would advocate becoming an LPN first. My personal experience has worked out well. I just finished the LPN program in december of 2006. The college I applied to has such a long waiting list for RN and LPN and the pre reqs for RN are much more involved than LPN. I want to be an RN, but I had a coworker who suggested taking LPN first. I was able to take the 3 pre reqs for LPN all in my first quarter of school. And put in my application for the LPN program while I spent the waiting time working on RN pre reqs. It took a year and a half to get accepted to LPN and the program was a year long. When I was done with that I had just 2 classes to take for RN prereqs. So I just finished micro and A&P II last quarter. The Transition program at the college I attend is much easier to get into than the RN program, I wont have to fight for a spot like the students who are trying to get in the RN program and they will have 2 years worth of school to get the associates degree. I will have just 1 year. Just 3more quarters of school and I will be an RN.

My plans have had to be adjusted somewhat because I am due this June to have another child. This one was a surprise. (yes I know what causes it) The way things have worked out for me I am half way to the RN degree and it is going to be easier to take a break between the programs rather than stopping in the middle of the RN program. I have the option of working as an LPN until I go back to school.

There are many things to consider but I figure it doesnt hurt to put in your application for LPN while working on RN pre reqs and take the path that opens up first. You may have more choices depending on where you live. The school where I live is packed with students trying for a nursing career. So it worked out better for me. Unfortunately though I have to take the NCLEX for LPN and again for RN. It also ended up being a bit more school in my case because the LPN program is 4 quarters and the Transition program is 3 quarters. Where as the straight RN program is 6 quarters because they don't attend during the summer.

PurrRN · Mar 19, 2007

Also, if you wish to take a CPR class now, that would be great...I think everyone should have CPR under their belt. Just be aware that ( at least my NS required this) the CPR certification had to be good for two years at the start of the class, and that it be a health care provider CPR course. WHich is different than the local CPR course usually provided through ARC.

AimeeJo RN · Mar 19, 2007

SiamCat1 has a good point, I have seen a few nurses who don't end up going back to school for RN. But in my case I am done with the pre reqs for RN and that is a major hurdle for many students keeping up the schedule of an LPN while trying to go back for RN.

I like the cat picture. I have 3 female siamese cats myself. They have such unique personalities.

Suninmyheart · Mar 19, 2007

In my RN program (graduating this spring 07) halfway through the program you become eligible to sit for the LPN NCLEX. You can either exit at that point or continue. I don't think many schools offer this option. It is MCTC in Minneapolis - but long waiting list too.

AimeeJo RN · Mar 19, 2007

My school doesn't offer the option for LPN licensure in the middle of the RN program. That would be a nice option. It is such a rat race. I couldn't help but sit back and be glad that I have most of my work out of the way while the pre nursing students taking micro and A&P along with me last quarter were obsessing over factoring points and GPA's hoping to just have a chance to get in next years RN program. I want to go on for a BSN eventually but I am taking things a step at a time for now because of my family.

AimeeJo RN · Mar 19, 2007

Congratulations on your upcoming graduation that is awesome.

And Phacade, more power to you in becoming a male nurse. There were only 3 men in my LPN class out of 30 students. There is no reason not to pursue the career that appeals to you.

sunshines66, BSN · Mar 19, 2007

It is a difficult decision to be made. One potential pitfall with becoming a LPN, some hospitals change the status of LPNs every few years. Here in Illinois a lot of times the LPN gets demoted to nursing tech. LPNs can have lots of job opportunites outside of the hospital, but I wanted you to be aware of what happens at least in Illinois.

The RN route there is the choice between a two or four year degree. It just depends on what you want to do in nursing.

dottimur · Mar 19, 2007

Phacade, I am a career changer and I have all my pre-reqs for RN completed. I would not have gone this route but it fell into my lap. I am doing LPN then bridging to RN in the fall at TCC. I have goals beyond RN after that but the LPN to RN route is my next step. TCC requires you get certified as a CNA or PCT as part of their program. I think it is good to see what is entailed in nursing prior to the commitment to the rigorous schooling. CNA and PCT programs offer that sneak peak. Good Luck!

ralt099 · Apr 5, 2007

I disagree with going the LPN route. If you have the time to commit to obtaining an associated degree then your opportunities are almost limitless in the nursing field. In fact, I know several nurse managers who only have an RN associates degree. Also, the opportunity for financial return is significantly higher as an RN than as an LPN even on the floor where responsibility is not significantly more. Also, with your background in IT as an RN you could go into the field of Nursing Informatics which is growing by leaps and bounds as adoption of EHR's by hospitals continues to grow. Your return on investment of a little extra time and money now could be significantly higher as an RN than as a LPN. Good Luck!