Opinions Please: LPN school now or wait for RN school

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Dear Community,

I would love to have some honest input related to a few questions.

Question # 1:

Is it better to go ahead and do LPN school, which I can start this fall, then continue on to my RN after my LPN; or wait until a spot in RN program opens up, or I get accepted at the high dollar private universities, which I won't know till next year. (All my pre-reqs for RN are done, and have A's) My thought is it might be better to work as an LPN (told by ADON I'm guaranteed a job as an LPN at the LTC where I currently work as a CNA) thereby making more $$$$ as an LPN and getting experience while I wait for LPN to RN program (which there is yet another wait list here).

OR

should I just wait to get into the university of my choice (which is insanely expensive) or sit on the wait list for RN school here at the community college.

Question # 2:

Does anyone regret getting their LPN? If so, why? Any LPN's out there who went on to RN?

Background: I am working as a CNA. Love my job. You have to, or you would not last as an aide, as some of you well know. Anyway, I have the opportunity to start LPN program this fall. My goal is the get my Nurse Practioner license. P.S.I have a 3.9, fabulous references from my CNA instructor, and ADON from where I work. Problem is, schools are very competitive and I won't know till next year. I don't want the conversation to turn OT to the ridiculous wait lists at the schools, etc. etc. I am 47 and really don't want to wait any longer.....IF I was younger, I would be going to med school, but alas, as the saying goes, no use crying over spilt milk

Thanks for any and all opinions, rants, etc. you are willing to post. :)

~ Mariamsally

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Specializes in Maternity.

i don't think that many people regret becoming an lpn. many of the lpns in my program do very well because they have experience and they have seen and done many of those things before. however, i wouldn't go to lpn school if i was trying to pick between the two. you have to repeat a lot of the classes again in rn school, that you had to do in lpn school. i would wait for the rn spot, just mo :)

good luck with whatever you decide!

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Many people go the LPN route to help them get into an RN program. If this is a possibility, then I would consider it if I were you. Getting an LPN license to work and gain experience, as well as to assist with the RN program admissions process, is a good idea. Good luck.

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I just got accepted to an LPN program. I originally wanted to go for RN, but the wait lists are out of control around here. I decided to become an LPN, start working, and then apply for advanced standing in an RN program. I know I will have to take some classes over again, but most of them I will be able to test out of. I already completed bio, chem, psych, english, I'm taking A&P now, and then plan to continue taking the rest of the general classes I need for the RN program, while in the LPN program. That way I will only need the remaining nursing courses once I am in the RN program. I can even start working towards a bachelors degree if I have time to take more classes. It doesn't make sense to me to sit around and wait, when I can start an LPN program, begin working and getting paid, gain experience as a nurse, and be eligible for advanced standing. Plus, don't some employers offer tuition reimbursement if you are already an LPN?

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Another idea, although a remote possibility, is the LPN license as a terminal step. As you know, life happens. There is the possibility that something drastic occurs that delays your RN program admission or completion, or even keeps you from finishing the RN program at all. In that case, you could continue working as an LPN as an alternative to not being able to work as a nurse at all. This has happened to some students.

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Specializes in Med Surg.

I'd go for the LPN and get out into the nursing world sooner. That's the route my husband and I decided upon. I could enter an LPN program a full semester sooner than an RN program. Plus, the school that I want to get my ASN then BSN from has an automatic acceptance for LPN's who meet their criteria. I do, so as long as I complete my LPN program, I'll start there this fall.

We also considered what Caliotter3 said. I had to drastically cut back on my work hours, so we weren't sure we could make it two years with me barely working; the LPN degree will allow me to work much sooner. Fortunately, it looks like we'll be fine through my ASN program, but it's nice to have that option.

Good luck, whatever you decide!

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Hi All,

The LPN to RN programs around here do not require you repeat anything. I think I will go with my gut and the wonderful advice here and do LPN to RN.

Life does happen, as I well know.I originally went to go for my RN at Hunter College in Manhattan 25 years ago, and then, well, life happened, and I got sidelined with 4 children, having to move, sidelined with another career, etc.

Thank you all for your time and advice......

Mariamsally

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Hi Mariamsally,

I was currently accepted into an LPN program and I am going to go for it!!! Its a foot in the door..and continuing to obtain your RN after having experience as an LPN puts you in a much better position to get into a school that has a transition program from LPN to RN!! It a great idea and although you don't make as much money as an RN, you make decent money and there is a HUGE chanced that you may not even have to pay to get you RN depending on where you work. You have to start somewhere and its a GREAT place to start!!! Good Luck and keep everyone posted on your progress!!

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Thank God my school doesn't do waiting lists!

In my state, you can no longer bridge from LPN to RN. So, if you lived here, that would not be a good option. The nursing curriculum changed statewide and now the two programs no longer match up. So, if a person is an LPN and wishes to become an RN, their only option is to start all over. There is one LPN in my AP class who is going to another state to bridge but that option isn't feasible to a lot of people.

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Hello,

I think that getting into an LPN program wouls be smart because I dont know wear you are from but here in Michigan every school has a waiting list. But if you do decide to choose an LPN program be very careful; make sure that they accept FIA

Good Luck!

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

A true benefit of becoming an LPN first is the fact that LPNs can earn a decent income and have a nursing license to fall back onto while attending an RN program. I earned pretty good money as an LPN/LVN on the weekends while attending an RN program during the week.

A common disadvantage of becoming an LPN first is the fact that many people become LPNs with the full intention of becoming RNs, but life often gets into the way of many of their plans to return to school. If you don't return to school to pursue your RN license soon after completing an LPN program, it is hard (but not impossible) to get into the mode of going back to school when so much time has elapsed. I've watched as many people with good intentions fall into this trap.

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Specializes in IMCU.

I am not doing the LPN route but recently read that LPN - RN programs require a certain number of hours worked as an LPN. Don't know if this is true for all.

So I would check to see if that is the case, locally, for you. It would be terrible to get your LPN and then find you couldn't enter an RN program because you hadn't yet completed enough hours.

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