Medical Assistant - Which path: LVN or RN?

Nurses Nurse Beth

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

Hi Nurse Beth,

I am a Medical Assistant who has a short period of time to make the final decision of choosing the LVN route or RN route. I currently have a 6 year old stepdaughter and very supportive man. We would like to start having children of our own. If I choose to begin that I feel LVN would be the best route because I could do the short term crash course and become LVN and work part time while do the bridge program to RN. While I we start to try to have kids. I need suggestions and advice. Pros and Cons.

Please and Thank you!

Dear LVN or RN,

If your ultimate goal is to be an RN, the shortest route is to go for your RN. Getting your LVN first and then bridging over is a detour that will take longer, and is more complicated.

The job opportunities for LVNs are limited compared to those for RNs. As an LVN, you will have difficulty finding a job in acute care. As an RN nursing student, you could work as a nursing assistant in acute care. Working as a nursing assistant will help you land a job as an RN down the road.

It's true that you would earn more as an LVN for a few months, and only you and your husband can determine how important that is.

My advice is to look at the long term and not the short term.

Best wishes,

Nurse Beth

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I agree. while going on for your RN i would make it a BSN. the trend/recommendations for entry level nursing is the BSN. it will take longer but u will be done. unless u decide to go further.

i am an LPN & have not worked for 15 yrs & now need a refresher course to go back to work. there are no refresher courses near me. so i have to decide what i'm going to do.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

I was a medical assistant and I chose RN. Get it over with before you have kids. It's hard going to nursing school and working while having small children.

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I have been working per diem as a medical assistant while in an ABSN program. I have a four year old and it has been challenging but I don't regret anything about it. I second what NurseBeth said about becoming a nursing assistant while in school because you have an opportunity to be an internal candidate when you graduate. I would have done that but I love the not for profit that I work for sooo much that I can't say goodbye just yet.

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If you do not have kids that you are supporting full time right now go for your RN.

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I am at a point in my life that is similar in some respects. I was talking to my daughter about it over the Christmas holidays. She is currently in her third year of medical school. She stated that the LVN programs will start being phased out by 2020. I am not sure what this means for current LVNs. She stated that RNs with Bachelor degrees will be the employers choice of candidate. I suppose that the employers are wanting someone w/ more knowledge. She did not tell me the reasoning behind this. So, as I make my plans I am searching only for programs which are for a Bachelors degree. While you may be busy with child rearing you might be able to handle an online program are offered by reputable colleges and universities around the country.

I am teacher who is trying to change careers. I have 2 yrs to take prerequisites before I quit my teaching job and make the move.Good Luck with you decision.

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I haven't seen any short term crash courses for an LPN program but that's just me. Most I've seen are 12-16 months full time. I originally went this route thinking it would be easier and if I had to do it over again I would have gotten my RN and skipped getting my LPN first. I ended up getting married, having a family, and at first deciding that I would just stop at the LPN..,until the job market took a nose dive where I live. Now, I'm finishing a bridge program while married with a five year old 15 years after finishing my LPN and going back to school with all the extra responsibilities is not easy. In the end, getting my LPN first only cut out the first semester of the RN program (not very time saving considering I went to school 24 hours a week for 16 months to get my LPN).

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
She stated that the LVN programs will start being phased out by 2020.
This is erroneous hearsay. To be blunt, it isn't true. LVN programs will not be phased out in 2020.

The person who originally posted this appeal for advice is either in California or Texas due to her use of the acronym 'LVN.' If she is in CA, this is one of the worst markets for LVNs and she is taking the very real chance of being unemployed for the first year after graduation.

Although I had a successful run as an LVN before becoming an RN, I advise people to pursue the RN licensure if they intend to remain in the nursing profession for any length of time.

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Specializes in Cardiac (adult), CC, Peds, MH/Substance.

Denise, there are plenty of refresher courses that are online with a local clinical component. Depends what state you're in. I did my online didactic portion through a South Dakota university, but am from Texas. I did my clinical hours locally.

I agree with those who recommend you going straight to BSN if you can, and it sounds like you can with a supportive spouse and a step child who has gotten pass the toddler years.

I agree. while going on for your RN i would make it a BSN. the trend/recommendations for entry level nursing is the BSN. it will take longer but u will be done. unless u decide to go further.

i am an LPN & have not worked for 15 yrs & now need a refresher course to go back to work. there are no refresher courses near me. so i have to decide what i'm going to do.

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Specializes in ICU.

I'm going to advise you to thoroughly research your local job market. Listening to the local rumors is nonsense. I would get in touch with the HR depts of places you want to work and see what they are hiring and what degree is needed.

Do not be under the impression that a LVN program is easier than a RN program. Some LVN programs are much more vigorous.

Investigate your options.

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Where can I verify this info on LPN's?

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