Not sure which direction to take...LPN or RN

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I am 36 yrs old and have my BS in Psych and my MS in Counseling. I graduated from college in 1991 and grad school in 1994 so my course work won't be accepted in either a LPN or RN program...all programs require prerequisite coursework to be taken within 5-7 years of applying to the program. So I am ready to have to take alot of entry level courses that I took already.

Here is my dilema...I am the primary breadwinner and hold all medical benefits for my family, my husband and 2 daughters, 3 and 5yrs old. I am willing to quit my job to dedicate 2 years to nursing school but I am unsure which direction I want to take...LPN or RN.

I have read so many great posts, some say go for LPN because you get so much experience before going for RN but others say jump right into the RN program...I would like to be able to get a job as soon as possible and I thought if I went for LPN I could get a job faster then maybe the hospital would pay for me to get my RN...I live in CT and both hospitals in our town has great LPN to RN programs. These are all the things I have to consider and was hoping for some advice.:confused:

Thanks so much , Shari

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Shari,

I have a BA and am in my 40's. Last summer when I decided that I would go back to school for nursing, I had no idea how hard the process would be....some waiting lists are 2-3 years long. So I applied for 2 LPN programs as well as the RN program at my community college (which is VERY competitive).

I have already received acceptance into the LPN program, so if I don't get into the RN program for fall '06, I will do the LPN program and then bridge to RN after that (while working as an LPN).

Why don't you apply for both types of programs and take pre-req's while waiting to hear which program you will get accepted into. Maybe the acceptance letters will guide you.

Good luck.

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Specializes in Too many to list.

I agree with the previous post. You will be working in the field faster with the

LPN program of course, and as stated will be able to bridge to RN. I'm moving to CT soon, but don't know anything about the programs there. Best of luck.

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WHy not go the accelerated BSN way. I hear you can have that program done in 18 months. Scince you already have a Bachelors and MS im sure it would be easy for you to gain acceptence. But if thats not an option id try for the RN that way you can just go to school ,and when you are done just work and have the rest of the time with your hubby and kids and not worry about going back to school all over again. either way good luck

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Hi I'm not sure what part of ct you live in (I am in Fairfield,Ct) I do know that Bridgeport Hospital has a evening program for RN. It would take a little longer but you would be able to keep a day job. I am currently struggling with all the options. Money, insurance. kids........how will I be able to afford to take 15 months off to go to school full-time? :uhoh3: What lpn schools are you looking at??

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I am one who selected nursing as a career change. I quit my previous job to attend LVN school full-time for 1 year. Guess what? The year passed by so very rapidly and I now earn decent money. In addition, I like my job.

My friend has a B.S.W. (bachelor degree in social work) but was being paid only $10 per hour as a case worker. She attended LPN school full-time for 1 year and now earns twice as much money. We both would have went straight for the RN program; however, neither of us had the prerequisites completed. And we both did not have the time to spend on long waiting lists. The RN license offers higher wages and better opportunities, but the LVN/LPN license was the best choice for us at this time.

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I am also in Fairfield County...I thought about working and doing the night program at Bridgeport Hospital but it has been so long since I was in college and I want to focus 100% on school...and try and find time for the husband and kids too:-) I am just afraid that trying to work and go to school will be next to impossible. I plan on saving as much money as I can now and then starting school in Fall of 2008

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Beth, I selected NETI in Shelton for LPN...I forgot to add that to my last post

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