Please Help! Need Advice!! LVN or RN????

LuxCalidaNP · Aug 21, 2009

Go RN! A little more elbow-grease now will be easier than an LVN-RN program later, and will pay much better! Best of luck, and welcome to NURSING!

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Aug 21, 2009

please get your RN .... i love LPN's , but they are not hired much in hospitals anymore , RN's have more jobs available and better pay...

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 21, 2009

I assume you're in California or Texas due to your use of the term "LVN."

The LVN job opportunities are abundant in many parts of Texas. On the other hand, it might take 1 year or longer to find an LVN job in most parts of California due to a flooded job market that has too many LVNs, not enough jobs to go around for everyone who wants to work, and even more LVNs being churned into the job market every 3 to 6 months after graduating from the local trade schools.

The RN will open up more doors to opportunity, jobs, choices, and income.

jean36 · Aug 21, 2009

If you already have your preqs,why even consider LVN,to echo what ohmewzer said,very few hospitals will hire LVN's/LPN's.

lerabelle · Aug 21, 2009

RN! I have been an LPN (same as LVN) for 13 years and now I am in school for my ADN. I wish I had of just went for my RN to begin with, although I would not trade my experience as an LPN for nothing. I fortunately was able to work in a hospital for the last 4 years and gains a lot of skills and knowledge. But don't waste your valuable time, got for the RN.

picurn10 · Aug 21, 2009

I just finished my LPN and am bridging to RN. I never planned to be an LPN, but it shaved about 6mo off the whole application process compared to going straight into a 2-yr RN.

That said, I have a ton of respect for what LPN's do, but in my neck of the woods all the local big hospitals DO hire LPN's, they do almost exactly the same job (you can't tell who's who unless you look at the name tag) BUT they get paid significantly less than the RN's. In several places I've looked its almost $10/hr more to be an RN, than LPN. So for that reason alone, I say go for the RN because 1. you will have more job options (I can't work peds or NICU which is what I really want) 2. you get paid much better. I just think its got to be sooooo frustrating for those LPN's on the floor who make about half what the RN's do, and yet they're handling the same pt. load, same duties, etc...

The thing about BSN is that unless you're planning on going into management, it really is not a big help. Most of my local hospitals only pay $1/hr more if you have a BSN and some hospitals don't pay a dime extra for a BSN! I plan to go on and become a NP, so I will be getting my BSN, but there are a TON of programs that offer a BSN 1 night a week for two semesters, and if you're working your hospital will likely pay for it, so IMO get the RN, if you really still desire the BSN spend a little time and get it while you are working making RN pay! Good luck!!!

Oh, and I wanted to add that many RN programs allow you to sit for LPN boards after your first year of nursing school, so you could get your LPN and work doing that while in your last year of RN school.

Jules A, MSN · Aug 21, 2009

What is the time difference? For me getting my LPN first made sense because I was able to work for a decent wage while I finished up my RN. Since you have a degree it might be just as quick to go right to RN which as others have pointed out offers more opportunities and way more money. Good luck.

lpn16yrs · Aug 21, 2009

I have been a LPN for 16 years now and would not trade my experience for anything, but with that being said, I urge you to go straight for your RN. I am just now preparing to go back to school for my RN. My original plan was get my LPN, then work part- time as LPN while going to school for my RN, well, life happened as it always does, befor I knew it there was a husband, kids and a job and going back to school would be to overwhelming. So I urge you to go straight to RN, I wish I had. Good Luck in whatever you do.

ravenmothermary · Aug 21, 2009

Yup I am a Texas girl. Thanks so much for the advice. It is good to hear from the working side of nursing.

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · Aug 21, 2009

The thing about BSN is that unless you're planning on going into management, it really is not a big help. Most of my local hospitals only pay $1/hr more if you have a BSN and some hospitals don't pay a dime extra for a BSN!

I completed an ADN program, and I'm now a DON. It doesn't appear that the lack of a BSN has hurt my career in the least. I chose ADN because I had to work full-time the whole time I went to school (out of financial necessity), and the BSN programs in my area seemed to expect you to be available for classes and clinicals pretty much all day. An ADN program in my area offered night classes specifically for people in my situation.

Some employers, and some positions, require a BSN, but they seem to be the minority. I have decided that two degrees is enough, and I have no plans to get a BSN.

I totally agree about going for the RN right out of the box. The salary and the opportunities are much better. Plus, you never know what lies ahead. If you get an LVN instead and then something happens that prevents you from going to school, you're stuck.

mariahas4kids · Aug 21, 2009

Check out the schools. I went to a community college to get my ADN, much cheaper than going to a 4 year university. Also the nursing program encouraged you to sit for your LPN (LVN) boards after the first year and work while you completed the next 3 quarters for your RN. I also went back to school after children to do this. Thank God for my wonderful and supporting husband :1luvu: