RN vs. LVN

Ansumana · Sep 10, 2012

First of all, LVN/LPN isnt a ADN nor is it a BSN. It's a certificate of proficiency which only takes a year to get. LVN is nursing and it's only hard I assume because you have to learn he basis of nursing. This first of anything is difficult because the basis isn't there yet. Here, you will be learning about child delivery, doing clinicals, and basic patient care. However, LVN's are more suitable for nursing homes and a FEW hospitals but hospitals are Wesson LPN's out and shifting their job to RN's.

RN is where you get technical and advance training and this is where the true degrees starts. The first is obviously your ADN where u will learn how to administer shots, critical thinking is upped a bit, and I assume you will be dealing with a variety of illness and diseases.

Your BSN of nursing is where you can take a supervisory or administrative position or break off into a specialty nurse I believe. You have child delivery nurses, wound care nurses, ER nurses, etc. this will take 4yrs+.

zoe92 · Sep 10, 2012

Most people can get an ADN in 2-3 years and a BSN (not a bridge program, but traditional BSN) in 4 years, depending on how many credits you already have. You could do an ADN hybrid/evening program to spend the day time studying/with your children and then do a bridge program for the BSN later.

Kimynurse · Sep 11, 2012

My question is who is saying which is harder?

I think the only people that can answer that as unbiased as possible is some that has done all three.

I am not that person. I'm a LPN , starting a ADN in January, not a bridge.

I did the following, and it helped me make a decision that worked for me.

But, I think make a list of all your re-recs if you have them. I had none

Look at what you need for each program.

Find out price for each program

Time of each program

Where you can work with each degree.

Good luck!

Keep us posted

.

mitzijane · Sep 11, 2012

From what I've seen in hospitals, LVN's do the exact same work as RN"s except for running IV medication. So saying that LVN's only learn the "basics" is partially true but in the field, they do the same work.

Anyway, if you don't mind being in school for 4 years or more (depending on how long you'll be in the nursing program's waiting list), I would suggest going RN. More employment opportunities and most importantly, double the salary of that of an LVN.

If you want to do something fast, go LVN and do the bridge program. A lot of hospitals will even pay LVN's to get their RN. That way you can work and go to school at the same time. Also, RN school won't be AS difficult since you pretty much covered the basics on everything in LVN school.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Sep 11, 2012

Since the OP is using the term "LVN", she's either in CA or TX. I would advise her to look into career ladder programs - with multiple entry & exit points. She could start with a (college hour) LVN program and then segue into an RN program through their reciprocal agreements. I think that San Antonio still has a career ladder arrangement between St Philips CC, SAC & UTSA and this model can be found in most other large Tx cities. Dunno about CA.

mazy · Sep 11, 2012

First of all, LVN/LPN isnt a ADN nor is it a BSN. It's a certificate of proficiency which only takes a year to get. LVN is nursing and it's only hard I assume because you have to learn he basis of nursing. This first of anything is difficult because the basis isn't there yet. Here, you will be learning about child delivery, doing clinicals, and basic patient care. However, LVN's are more suitable for nursing homes and a FEW hospitals but hospitals are Wesson LPN's out and shifting their job to RN's.
RN is where you get technical and advance training and this is where the true degrees starts. The first is obviously your ADN where u will learn how to administer shots, critical thinking is upped a bit, and I assume you will be dealing with a variety of illness and diseases.
Your BSN of nursing is where you can take a supervisory or administrative position or break off into a specialty nurse I believe. You have child delivery nurses, wound care nurses, ER nurses, etc. this will take 4yrs+.

This is incorrect information.

allnurses Guide · Sep 11, 2012

To the OP: do some research about where you want to work. Do they hire LPNs? Do they require a ASN or a BSN as a new grad hire?

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Sep 11, 2012

Some specialities (like public health) require a minimum of a BSN. As for other specialities like ER, ICU, progressive care, L&D...there are ADN-prepared nurses working in those units. A lot of hospitals nowadays, though, are pushing for BSN-prepared nurses as opposed to ADN-prepared nurses. LPNs in hospitals are slowly being phased out, it seems. Where I work, we have VERY few LPNs - a few work in the fast track ER and there may be one or two on our med-surg unit. Otherwise, we are all RNs. I used to work at a hospital that had a lot of LPNs but a majority of them got laid off. It happened to another hospital close by. I'm not saying it is impossible to get a job in a hospital as an LPN but nowadays it seems to be very difficult. LPNs typically work in the LTC setting.

LPN programs (I think) are around 16-18 months in length. You learn the basics of nursing. You are limited in things you can do and it varies by state. Typically, LPNs take care of patients with stable, predictable outcomes. They cannot do the initial assessment; that has to be completed by the RN but again, that varies by state. LPNs cannot push IV medications or administer blood. They work in collaboration with the RN to provide patient care. Usually an RN as to sign off on their charting. Completing an LPN program makes you eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam.

ADN programs are 2 years in length and are typically offered at community colleges. Having an ADN degree makes you eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam.

BSN programs are 4 years in length and are typically offered at a university. Completing a BSN program makes you eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. In a BSN program you learn all of the basics of nursing + you get your theory and research component. You have opportunties to advance with your BSN degree.

Overall, RNs do have more responsibility than LPNs, but I would think any program, regardless if it is an LPN, ADN or BSN program, is difficult.

For the record, I have worked with EXCELLENT LPNs, ADN-RNs and BSN-RNs. Having a "lower degree" doesn't equate to skill level if that makes sense. I had an LPN help me run the fast track ER when I was a new grad RN. They taught me.

If financially feasible and if you want to go to school for 4 years, I highly suggest pursuing your BSN degree and I personally think it is the best option. It also depends on what you want to do, though.

MarsupialL · Sep 11, 2012

Thanks for the comments. Yes, I am in California. Just trying to sort out which program will work best. I have all prerequistes done for both programs. My biggest problem is the RN program has a cut score of 80%, I have 78%. I can boost this up by retaking a course, if I retake English (I got a B several years ago) and get an A I will definetly make the cut. But, I can also apply fro the LVN and probably get in first try because its not filling up, from what I've heard. However, maybe I just need to retake a course, be patient and hope I get in the RN soon. But if I don't I feel I will be wasting time waiting to get in the RN. My main goal is to be an RN one way or another. I also don't have many options with trying different schools, one is within 10 minutes the others 40+ minutes. I normally wouldn't mind but having two small children would make a commute like this almost impossible. Thanks for listening, any more insight is appreciated.

allnurses Guide · Sep 11, 2012

These are difficult choices to make. I would take the fact the LPN program isn't filling up as a suggestion that there are some reservations about it in your practice area.

sjbrk · Sep 12, 2012

These are difficult choices to make. I would take the fact the LPN program isn't filling up as a suggestion that there are some reservations about it in your practice area.

Agreed.

My opinion would be to wait, retake the class, and try for the RN. At that point, you can always go for the LVN if you don't get in. I wouldn't think of it as a year wasted... Think of it more as spending some quality, school-free time with your kiddos!