Please help

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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Hello, I'm currently a bit lost deciding the best path.

I was going to become a CNA - RN but I'm not sure which is better LPN - RN or become a Part Time RN and work on getting my BSN ????

I want to become a registered nurse then of course nurse practitioner but for now I'm not sure what to do. Which route is better?

Thank you so much! Any answers or advice is greatly appreciated!!!

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Do you already have a bachelors degree in another field?

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Specializes in NICU.
Hello, I'm currently a bit lost deciding the best path.

I was going to become a CNA - RN but I'm not sure which is better LPN - RN or become a Part Time RN and work on getting my BSN ????

I want to become a registered nurse then of course nurse practitioner but for now I'm not sure what to do. Which route is better?

Thank you so much! Any answers or advice is greatly appreciated!!!

"Of course" nurse practitioner?

I'm confused. What are you now? You know there's no such thing as a CNA-RN, right? And if you want to aim for an advanced degree, you need a bachelor's first.

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You need to speak to an academic counselor. CNA, RN, and NP are completely different fields.

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Hi. If you want to be an RN... just get your pre-reqs done & go straight into an RN program. Most of the BSN programs are set up for the full time nurse so after you get your ADN you could work full time while obtaining your BSN if you wanted to. Good luck!

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

I would never recommend LPN-RN unless completely necessary. It's just more time (and money) wasted when you ultimately don't intend to remain an LPN.

I agree with Cristaa. Go straight to RN (although if you apply to both programs, get in where you can).

You can work on your BSN while you work as an RN.

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Specializes in Pedi.

Just enroll in a BSN program now.

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Specializes in Psychiatry/Mental Health.

I'll tell you the benefits of the route I'm taking (RN-BSN-NP).

I did a ASN program to get my RN and now I'm enrolled in a BSN program. The ASN option was cheaper for me because I couldn't get financial aid. Now I can work as a RN while I get my BSN and the jobs I have been applying to all offer tuition reimbursement so that will help with the cost of the BSN. I slightly regret not becoming a CNA while I was doing my ASN, because I think the experience would have been helpful and I could've worked in patient care while applying to RN jobs, also.

Also, in the LPN-RN program at my school, a lot of the LPNs said there was a lot of repetitive info in our classes. I'm not sure if they meant it was repetitive from their LPN education or from the "bridge course" they had to take before the RN program.

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Specializes in Critical care, Trauma.

I thought I'd give my position, which is pro-LPN programs. Whether or not I really "recommend" it depends upon your current station in life, but they definitely have their place even for those that are using it as a stepping stone.

If you have financial support then there's really no reason to not go straight through to the BSN. Or at least the ADN. But if you don't, then starting at the LPN level gives a great advantage in that you can start making more money faster, and LPN to ADN bridge programs can be online (clinicals in person, of course) allowing you to work more in your bridge program than in your LPN program.

I started my LPN program as a newly married 25-year-old. We were dirt poor, but were willing to take out loans (program was $5k, we took out $11k for program, plus living expenses). My program was a 2 hour round trip for me, 4 days per week. I worked every other weekend as a CMA in a nursing home. When I became an LPN I started working 4 days per week in a physician's office and was admitted to an LPN/EMT to RN with all classwork online with great flexibility in clinicals so I think I only had to take off maybe 4-5 days the whole year...a couple for orientation, initial skills checkoffs, and then we had one required clinical that was 3 days in a row. All the while, I was making 50% more per hour than I was before getting my LPN, and was able to really contribute financially with working FT. It Both my husband and I were in school at that point and I took out very little loans after that first year, even through my BSN.

Also, depending upon the structure of the program it doesn't have to take more time to bridge. One program near me actually requires all students to bridge, there is no straight ADN program. After the LPN year the students are expected to pass their NCLEX over the summer then have preference for the LPN-to-RN bridge the next year.

So, bottom line, the type of program that would work best for you depends upon a LOT of factors....namely proximity and financial status. Good luck with your decision.

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