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Discussion

Picking LPN over RN

I have had quite the month. I'm an extremely busy mother and I'm also in school full-time to be a RN. I must say I have hit "burn out". At the school I attend after the first year we can take our LPN NCLEX exam and then the last year we can take our RN NCLEX. I get really good grades all A's and B's, but I'm really burnt out. My weight has increased, my hair is falling out and I look like crap. I have considered just getting my LPN in May and then returning to finish my RN later. I also have my Surgical Tech. degree, but there weren't any jobs. My family and my husband want me to finish my RN because they feel I may regret it later and because of my good grades I should make it through the program. I also feel that the way the school has the LPN program set up, that I look like a failure because most people who become LPNs in my school actually failed the RN program. The school I attend only does a ceremony for the RN program, but the LPN program is not acknowledged. Has anyone regretted being a LPN and not getting their RN? Is it really worth another year of missing life for my RN?

Featured Replies

take a vacation when you are on break from school and finish. there will never be a convenient time or energy or money. youve made it this far.....you can do it.

  • Experts

Take the LPN exam when you are able to do so, but continue on with the RN program. Having your LPN license will take part of the load off your shoulders. However, I would not put off the RN part. I did something similar to this, and before you know it, 18 years have gone by and you realize that the RN license is not going to come from heaven and appear in your mailbox. And you have no idea what events might come about that you have no control over. What if, three years down the road, the school makes a decision not to let people in your circumstance to return? Then you have a situation that is not very pleasant at all. Don't make the mistake of leaving the school after you get the LPN license.

How long can you stay away after you obtain the LPN license? Maybe a short break (a semester) is what you need. If they allow you a term or two without penalty, then, maybe think about it, but if RN is really your goal, don't do stay out of the loop for too long. Another thing to take into consideration is the job prospects for LPNs in your area. If they don't look too promising, then, you might as well complete it and have both under your belt. Also, even if there are plenty of LPN positions floating around, consider WHERE they are. If they are only in LTC, home care, or things you are not interested in, then, again, even with all of the jobs you can obtain, you may not be happy. I didn't obtain my RN and have no regrets, but that doesn't mean that is the route for everyone.

  • Author

Thanks for all the great comments. I'm going to take my LPN NCLEX in May and try to take the summer off and return for my RN. Hopefully the time off with help motivate me.

DONT QUIT! Keep going. I can imagine its hard but take some time off, get refreshed and continue. THat one more year would go by so fast. In my opinion I think you would regret it. I am an LVN and currently in progress on getting my RN and I totally regret doing this but I had my reasons so I cant totally discredit my actions. But as an LVN your options are very limited and geared towards geriatrics and long term care (well here anyway).

You have an advantage because your school offers you to get your LVN WHILE you are still in school for your RN. THeres no such thing like that here, you would have to get your LVN then apply for the RN program, which would end up taking way more time.

SO take advantage of that opportunity you have. If you choose LPN over RN you are choosing to make less money, have less options on where you want to work, people will judge you based on your LVN title; that you are less competent then an RN etc, and I will say again you will make alot less money!! Here in dallas, TX and LVN starts between 20-25/hr while RNs start between 35-40/hr. and thats ADN RN not BSN. My dad is an ADN and makes 43/hr at a hospital. And this is not based on experience (Actually, I have noticed in nursing the pay is not based on experience. A nurse with 15 years exp. would be making the same or maybe .50 more then a grad)

also,RNs have options like working seasonal. I saw an ad in the paper from Methodist hospital looking for seasonal RNs where they work a total of 3 months. 3 days/week -12hr/shift at $65/hr

  • Author

Thanks so much for all the comments. I have decided to take the summer off to refresh and then finish my last year.

  • Experts
Thanks for all the great comments. I'm going to take my LPN NCLEX in May and try to take the summer off and return for my RN. Hopefully the time off with help motivate me.

This sounds like a great plan. I got my LPN first and am very glad I did. If nothing else you will be comfortable with taking NCLEX and have much of the pressure lifted because you are already a nurse! Hang in there.

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