Please lend an ear.....

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Oct 24, 2002

The differences between RN and LPN? In my part of the country, somewhere in the neighborhood of $7-10 an hour. It's only one more year of school. AND, your employment opportunities are much greater. You can always get your LPN and work part-time while you finish your RN program, but that's hard for a lot of people. When I started nursing school I was 36 and had 4 kids, and I needed money so bad I probably never would have finished the RN course if an LPN program had been available to me at the time. You definitely should go for the RN if you can possibly manage it---it's well worth the time & money involved, IMHO.

ShortFuse_LPN, LPN · Oct 24, 2002

It's true that RNs make more money and have more opportunities, however, there is nothing wrong with being "just" an LPN. It is more of a personal decision, in my opinion. Don't let others talk you into becoming an RN if you don't want it. Good luck in whatever you decide is best for you.

DawnPN · Oct 24, 2002

I am currently doing the LPN program at my college, with pre-reqs next year, then one year of RN classes. The reason I decided to take this route instead of the straight RN program (BOTH take three years with pre-reqs) is that I wanted to be able to work part-time as a nurse while finishing my final two years.

This week we had a discussion about the two different "routes" a student can take to become a RN, and my teacher told the class that on average, the LPNs entering the second year of RN classes have an easier time/higher test scores because of practical experience they have gained in the work environment. :)

renerian, BSN, RN · Oct 24, 2002

Being an LPN or an RN are both good things. LPNS can be the right arm of an RN. I had an LPN that I worked with who was great to work with. The pay is alot higher for an RN. Maybe you could get your LPN, work some and go on for your RN degree while working part time.

Let us know what you decide,

renerian

Rena RN 2003, RN · Oct 24, 2002

it's personal choice and what you eventually want to do in nursing.

i worked with an LPN today that i would LOVE to have as a team member when i'm an RN. TOTALLY reliable and knew her sh*t. very nice, compassionate, BRILLIANT ideas, and she and i clicked. we agreed on the course of care for the day for my (our) patients. it was a very self esteem boosting day because i've yet to work with an RN that told me i was doing something "right".

so there is nothing wrong with "just" being an LPN.

but the decision must be made about:

1. do you want to be a RN?

2. do you want to work first and then be an RN?

3. do you want to eventually get your BSN or maybe even go for your masters?

4. do you need to work soon? (i do which is why i chose RN over going BSN...i'll get to BSN eventually)

personally, if i were you and knew i wanted to be an RN, i would go straight for that.

ntigrad · Oct 25, 2002

I also had wanted to be an RN. But due to cirucmstances beyond my control, I opted for the LPN course and I am SOOOOO happy I did! Turns out it is the kind of nursing I want to do and didn't know it at the time. I was told by an RN who had always been an RN that"....you don't want to go that route..." but I am glad I did. You don't know unless you've done it. Some RN/PNs say it's a waist of time, but most do not. And, like many have said, you get your PN, you ARE a nurse, you most likely will get to do most of what they do (we do) and the experience of that helps you later, just like the experience of being an aid helps with patient care later. You can take time off and have a marketable job qualifications and take classes for RN at a slower pace and not have to give up working or try to do both. If RN is what you want, no ifs ands or buts, do it. But get some sound advise from different people. I have 6 weeks left out of a 14 month course. I have LOVED it through and through, but I am soooo glad I don't another year to go before I can be a nurse!

Jill

SimplyMe · Oct 25, 2002

Thank you all for your opinions. It is so much better to hear these things from the mouths of those who know what they are talking about. I am currently taking a CNA class which is required for both RN and LPN, so I have a little time to weigh my options. Having a family (two kids: a husband and a 5 year old,lol) makes it harder to dedicate so much time. I am sure you all know that!