RN worth it?

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Specializes in School. Irse.

I am an LPN. I am a building nurse currently. I don’t want to do anything else but I feel like getting my RN would give me more confidence in my work. But I can’t wrap my head around spending 30,000 and not making anymore money.
I love school nursing and I do not want to be an LSN....so is it really worth it to go back?

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That really boils down to what you really want in life. Do you want to gain more knowledge and/or are you satisfied where you are?

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Why is LPN to RN $30,000?

BTW, getting more education will not just increase confidence, it will increase competence.

But, $30,000 is a lot to spend for personal growth and uncompensated professional growth.

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8 hours ago, hherrn said:

Why is LPN to RN $30,000?

BTW, getting more education will not just increase confidence, it will increase competence.

But, $30,000 is a lot to spend for personal growth and uncompensated professional growth.

But, if the OP ever decided to change jobs the differential in opportunities between RN and LPN is substantial.

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My community college lpn-rn “bridge” program wasn’t even $5k including some ridiculously Overpriced e-book packages. (Pretty certain the books cost more than the tuition). If there’s no imminent need for the rn credentials, there’s no need to go to one of the for-profit schools.

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Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.

RN would open additional opportunities if you some day decide to do something else. It may also result in a pay raise in your current setting (depending on your contract).

LPN-RN is not worth $30K. However the community college bridge program I've seen runs about $5K which seems reasonable.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Tele, PH, CM.

Without getting into an argument regarding LPN vs RN competence, I believe LPNs may soon be going the way of the Diploma RNs. Let me qualify by saying this was a frequent topic while I was working on my Masters in Healthcare Management. There are many states where it is difficult to find a job as an LPN. I believe the handwriting is on the wall. The NLN wants all nurses to be "professional", and they still consider LPN as a technical degree. Look for a Bridge Program at the Community College level. Will take you one year and cost much less than $30k.

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11 hours ago, verene said:

LPN-RN is not worth $30K. However the community college bridge program I've seen runs about $5K which seems reasonable.

Best way to look at this (IMO) is to spread the cost of that additional degree over the course of a career and consider the additional wages made over that same career.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, Home Health, Corrections, School Nurse.

One thing you haven't mentioned is your age, and where you are at in your career. I'm one of the old diploma nurses, and I was able to do everthing I wanted throughout the years. But if I was a relatively new nurse right now, I would be doing what just about every other nurse is doing --going for my NP.

If you are just starting out, I'd get my degree, you never know what future opportunities may be out there. If you're ready to retire in a few years, then why bother.

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Specializes in school nurse.
On 11/4/2019 at 8:51 PM, Katie82 said:

Without getting into an argument regarding LPN vs RN competence, I believe LPNs may soon be going the way of the Diploma RNs. Let me qualify by saying this was a frequent topic while I was working on my Masters in Healthcare Management. There are many states where it is difficult to find a job as an LPN. I believe the handwriting is on the wall. The NLN wants all nurses to be "professional", and they still consider LPN as a technical degree. Look for a Bridge Program at the Community College level. Will take you one year and cost much less than $30k.

Don't forget the part in which the pressure will then be on to get the BSN, though...

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I spent 15 years as an LPN before finally going back for RN. Got this sweet little gig right out of school as a public school nurse-making slightly less than I made as an LPN ? . I am starting my 6th year here and actively looking for a new job. 5 years ago I would have said this was where I want to be forever, but things change. I now have 2 sweet grandsons that I want to put through college one day. I can't do that on this salary. Oh and I am tired of dealing with parents everyday. All that to say that I am glad I got the RN ?

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