Now I'm not so sure

Start with your LPN if you want to. You can always do a bridge program for your RN if you want to later on. Check in your area....some ADN programs in some states let you sit for the LPN test after your first year of nursing school. You are still going to have to complete college classes along with nursing classes.

To me, the LPN is a very satisfying job.

It is just one step on the ladder. You can get your LPN and stop there, or go on for your RN.

RN does afford more opportunities, and better pay, but also awhole lot more responsibility.

I am satisfied in my job. I don't plan to go any further. However, I'm already 53 years old and am looking towards retirement now.

But if you are young, after you get your LPN and work there awhile I would recommend going on for your RN, but don't wait too long.

For ME, at this point in my life, I don't think it would benefit me financially.

LPN's are a very useful member of the health care team.

avoid pre-reqs,and get my feet wet...

Just curious, why do you think that you do not need to do pre-reqs in the LPN program? I am an LPN and I had many, many pre-reqs to do before I started the core nursing classes. Not trying to start an argument, but being an LPN is very satisfying. Not sure why people feel otherwise.

Get the LPN. A lot of LPN's are better at technical skills than RN's because from what I have heard that's what they concentrate on in school. I know a lot of people who think you should be an LPN before being an RN....I wish I had! If you decide to go on for RN then it will be so much easier on you. And yes, if you are a little unsure if you will even like nursing then LPN is a good idea.

Going the LPN to RN route is a very good way. Here new grads enjoy a wide variety of positions in nrusing homes and other LTC facilities, but hospitals jobs are very hard to come by for the new grad LPN. RNs enjoy a wider variety of job opportunities and start out at about $5.00 or more per hour, so it's worth it to try the RN depending on what your goals are. But getting the LPN first, getting on your feet is good. Just don't get caught up in working, paying bils and not going back to school.

We have several nurses here who are in the middle of their RN training and can challenge the LPN exam- then work as LPN's until they finish with the rest of the nursing courses. I was an LPN for 15 years before I finally got back to school. I too wanted to "try it out" but dragged my feet, started a family etc before I really got the guts to get back to school. I agree LPN's are great and for me- nursing school was a piece of cake when I finally went back because I had gotten so much experience as an LPN. Good Luck!

How about a different perspective? Go to college and take the pre-requisites for the RN and just go for that. Why not? The RN makes so much more money and affords you more opportunites. Get all your education now so you don't have to go back for it later. It's hard to go back to school later on once you start the grind of working.

Just curious, why do you think that you do not need to do pre-reqs in the LPN program? I am an LPN and I had many, many pre-reqs to do before I started the core nursing classes. Not trying to start an argument, but being an LPN is very satisfying. Not sure why people feel otherwise.

I guess it depends on where you intend on going to school. In the Dallas Community College District, the LPN program does not have prereqs, but instead has "support" courses that they strongly recommend you take before applying to the program. Many of these support courses are the same classes that the ADN program has a prereqs (i.s. A&P, English Comp I, Speech I, etc). The LPN selection process is based on a points system and you are ranked in order by how many points you have accumulated. The top 40 people are accepted to the program. In the event of a tie on points, they look at the applicant's scores on the NET test. You get extra points on your application for each support class you take ahead of time. You also get extra points if you have a certification like EMT, CMA, CNA, etc...

The ADN program has prereqs and the selection process is based SOLELY on your GPA in those specific prereq classes and nothing else. Saying that entrance to the ADN program here is competitive would be a gross understatement. There are only 100 slots and there are at least 5 applicants for each slot. The last class of 100 that was accepted to the ADN program ALL had perfect 4.0s. I was so discouraged by that until I found the LPN program. I'm not a 4.0 student (around a 3.2), and I don't feel that a GPA is the be-all-end-all measure of whether or not a particular applicant has what it takes to become a good nurse. To me being a nurse is SOOOOOO much more than just good test scores and book knowledge (helps to have it of course!). I'm just thrilled that there's a program near me that I have a chance at getting accepted into, thus allowing me to become the great peds nurse I know I can be!

It sounds like you have some excellent reasons for wanting to go the LPN route first. If that's what you want, then go for it. It's the route that I and many others have chosen and I don't regret it one bit.

I chose the LVN program because the RN programs in my area have such a long waiting list. I'm currently in the program, beginning clinical tomorrow and I just love it! If later down the line I want to get my RN, I'm bridge over; I'm sure you can as well. Either program you chose, you can't go wrong.

If you want to be an LPN, then be an LPN! There is nothing bad to be concerned about. LPN's are needed in many areas , you can make good money and you can bridge to a higher degree anytime you want. My grandmother was an LVN, and still to this day say's she never wanted to be an RN, and doesn't regret her decision about it either.... she just turned 85yrs.

I've personally never heard of anyone regretting their decision to go the LPN route.

You could do some prereqs that apply for both the RN and LVN programs. That's what I did. I took the A&P that was required for RN school (shorter class for LVN's), did my general education and when I hit a speed bump in terms of getting into micro (only one 35 seat class in the fall, no spring class at all!) I applied to LVN program rather than wait around to take my chance at micro a year later.

I did the LVN program, graduated, started working while taking micro, took a semester off from school completely and applied to the RN program. I got in for August 2006 and will finish in a year. Basically it took me one year to get my behind back in school. Like Tweety said, it's important you don't stall too long when it comes to going back to school.