Not sure which nursing path to take.

[Blueeyes09]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the group. I'm currently at a community college taking classes. I have taken all of the prerequisites for the R.N program and am currently taking A&P 1. The waitlist for the program is at least a year to get in, if not a year and a half. The local vocational school has no waitlist for the L.P.N program. I would more than likely go on to the R.N program if I did the L.P.N program. I'm wondering if I should just get on the waitlist and not bother spending a year to become an L.P.N, or if I should try to get into the L.P.N program. Sorry for the rambling, I'm just confused about what to do. Any suggestions? Thanks. :)

[direw0lf, BSN]

I'd personally wait for the RN, and while you wait see if you can get a job as a PCA or patient observer at least, preferably in a hospital you'd like to work in as an RN..will make getting hired a lot easier once you have the RN (my area does not hire many LPNs, you'd want to research your area though for this before making a final decision!)

[beekee]

I would wait if your end goal is RN. Take a look at what transfers from the LPN to RN program; it’s probably not much, so why spend the time and money for something you won’t use? Try to get a job as a CNA in a hospital while you wait and earn as much money as you can, because many students find it difficult to work and go to school.

If you are thinking of getting your BSN, take a look to see if there are any required general education courses that you can take during your time off.

[Golden_RN, MSN]

I agree to wait for the RN program. I love beekee's ideas to get training as a CNA, save money and take more GE for BSN while you're waiting.

[Sour Lemon]

I'd be worried that the wait list would turn into competitive entry while I waited. Wait lists seem to be less and less common.
Except for that concern, waiting sounds like the best plan ...especially if the LVN program is private and expensive.