Question for RNs please

SunnyAndrsn · Aug 2, 2009

This question is about school but i rather have a answer from a RN. So, I just recently got my certificates in CNA and PCt and am working for a assisted living. I was going to go for my LPN but a girlfriend suggested I go straight for my RN. So do you think this is a good idea? or should i do the LPN first. I live in MI. i dont know if thats matters

I was an LPN first, so that I could work while finishing my RN. My reasons for doing so were because my husband was in school full time as well, and he had been working full time on top of that. He was dog tired and needed a break. So with me working full time instead, he was able to stop. That last year of school was long, but I spread out me class work by taking classes during the summer, so that my final semester was clinicals only.

It worked for me and my family. A lot depends on what your career goals are. The day my RN license became active I received a $4.23 raise.

lilwhitfkd · Aug 2, 2009

I am also going for LPN, I guess it's what works for you. I have been an aide for one year now and ready to move on. I believe I am making the right choice. My long term goal is a Nurse Anesthetist. So good luck and do your best because it is hard. Only the strong survive.

CECE,RN · Aug 2, 2009

If you are able to, go for the RN, especially if that's what you want to ultimately be. My school taught us well and the LPNs that joined later to finish their RN missed out on alot of the material that we had been learning through out nursing school. I felt like instructors 'expected' them to already know more material than us too. A majority of the LPNs also failed the NCLEX the first time around. Maybe this was a coincidence....who knows. You don't want to do RN work for LPN pay because it's not a big difference besides the teaching, assessments, etc. depending on where you wanna work. You'll have more options in regards to your career too. :twocents:

Jules A, MSN · Aug 2, 2009

I did the LPN first and am very happy with my decision. I worked nearly full time through LPN and then the RN bridge program. FWIW unlike the previous poster the LPNs that joined my RN class graduated in the top 10% and we all passed NCLEX the first time. In hindsight my LPN education had me right up to speed to join the second year students and in fact we had an extra semester under our belt and were probaby more prepared. :)

emnicams · Aug 2, 2009

If your ultimate goal is RN and you are able to financially, go straight for the RN. Just my opinion! :)

Smokey9283 · Aug 2, 2009

There is nothing wrong with doing your LPN first then obtaining you RN. The benefit is you gain nursing knowledge and experience while you are working towards your RN. And you can take a little longer to get your RN too. Why would I want to take a little longer to get my RN? Because you gain a lot of experience as a nurse and can use your experiences to ease your training in RN classwork. You will also have true clinical experience to rely on, not just the mamby pamby clinicals that you are in throughout nursing school. LPN school focus more on skills, ie, cath insertion, head to toe exams, wound care, enteral tube care plus a whole lot more. They also have a theory component so that you can recognize when something is amiss, what to expect when treating and monitoring a problem. RN classes are (from what I am told by LPN - RN co-workers) nursing theory based. There is so much to learn about disease processes, that it's difficult be able to focus on skills to the extent that you can in LPN courses. BTW the best nurses that I work with were LPN's first.

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Aug 2, 2009

This question is about school but i rather have a answer from a RN. So, I just recently got my certificates in CNA and PCt and am working for a assisted living. I was going to go for my LPN but a girlfriend suggested I go straight for my RN. So do you think this is a good idea? or should i do the LPN first. I live in MI. i dont know if thats matters

I would say that whether or not you should go for your LPN vs going straight for your RN depends on various factors. For one, do the RN and LPN programs in your area have a waiting list? Typically an LPN program can be done in 1 year, an RN program in 2. How long can you live on a CNA salry? Are you able to live on a CNA salry for the time an RN program might take?

There is really no right or wrong answer to this question, it's really whatever works best for you.

FLMom3, RN · Aug 3, 2009

I'd say go straight for the RN because before ya know it, you're going to want a BSN. I'm sorry, but LPN's really aren't in big demand... esp. if you want to work in a hospital. The RN will give you more options. Good luck in school!

ChristineN, BSN, RN · Aug 3, 2009

I'd say go straight for the RN because before ya know it, you're going to want a BSN. I'm sorry, but LPN's really aren't in big demand... esp. if you want to work in a hospital. The RN will give you more options. Good luck in school!

If, however, the OP doesn't mind working in LTAC's, doing homecare, or working in other areas outside of the hospital setting, opportunities are very plentiful. Some areas it is easier to find a hospital job in than in others. Around me, you typically on see LPN's used inpatient for psych units.

NeoNurseTX, RN · Aug 3, 2009

It depends on your situation. I went to school right after high school and knew I'd settle for nothing less than a BS in something. Nursing came after a few changes in major, but still went through school w/ no breaks, but I had no family responsibilities either.

Jjo19 · Aug 3, 2009

I am not sure of the guidelines in MI... First you need to decide what area of nursing that you want to enter. The LPN is faster to obtain only by about 6 months. There are limitations on the LPN license of what procedures you are allowed and not allowed to do. With the RN you are pretty much free to work where you choose. If you would ever decide to go back for your RN, LPN licensure only eliminates about 1 semester of your RN program. So you need to consider tuition costs. I was a CNA for 8 years before I decided to take the leap and continue. RN has many more job opportunities and more educational portability for advancement. Also, the LPN's that entered my program struggled because they became familiar with their experience and found it difficult to change their mind set. The decision is entirely yours to make but I would consider where you want to be in the future.