Should I get an LPN degree as a way to get an RN degree?

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Hello everybody, I live in Central Florida, I'm taking Anatomy & Physiology at a local community college. I am ultimately interested in getting out of my current career - I have a bachelor's degree from a looong time ago - and getting into nursing. I am interested in being an RN. Local community colleges have obscenely long waiting lists. Would getting a degree as an LPN, working for a couple of years at a hospital, and then going for my RN make sense? As in, would that get me right into a bridge program, without waiting forever? Of course I would love to go straight to RN school, but I also want to start my nursing education as soon as I finish my prerequisites, not three or four years from now! Jeez. No wonder there is such a desperate nursing shortage in this country.

If it helps any, I am interested in working in the ER. I also like forensic medicine. Any and all suggestions appreciated. I thought about going into some type of forensic science field, but my understanding is there is nowhere near as much demand or potential for pay. Yes, I love public service, but if one branch of it pays better, it makes sense to go there.

That is awesome news. Let us know what happens.

Have you checked into UCF's accelerated BSN?

Hey, I just set up a telephone appointment with an advisor there for next Monday! I would be THRILLED if I could do that program in 15 months. It would be worth whatever ungodly sum I am sure I would have to pay.

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So how did you like working as an LPN? And how long did you work as an LPN before going for your RN?

I went for the LPN first, going for the RN (eventually) now. I wanted better odds at getting in RN programs, i wanted the intense learning that myLPN school provided. I chose this route because that is what was best for me.
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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, Peds, LDRP.
That is awesome news. Let us know what happens.

let us know what they say!

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I will! I will grill them mercilessly and pass along all their deep dark secrets. I want to ask them how many people applied for how many slots for this year's class, what the average GPA is of those accepted, and of course, how much the program costs. (Shudder). As well as how many of my 20-year-old credits from my old, creaky bachelor's degree would be accepted there.

Thanks for all the help, advice and support! This is a great board. It really makes me want to get into nursing, because I can see I'll be working with a very caring, helpful bunch.

That is awesome news. Let us know what happens.

let us know what they say!

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
So how did you like working as an LPN? And how long did you work as an LPN before going for your RN?

I like it very much, i love what i do, but if i have to hear "oh you're an LPN. Are you going for your RN?" one more time i'll scream.

I graduated June 2004, took a year off (wanted plenty of time to adjust and train for the job), and just started back to school this fall.

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I like it very much, i love what i do, but if i have to hear "oh you're an LPN. Are you going for your RN?" one more time i'll scream.

You know, I'm guilty of thinking the same thing - not because I think that an LPN is an inferior degree, but because I know that one more year of school will get you a huge boost in salary! And probably more paperwork and responsibility and stress and administrative duties, but if I'm making $10 bucks an hour more, I'll deal with it.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, Peds, LDRP.
I like it very much, i love what i do, but if i have to hear "oh you're an LPN. Are you going for your RN?" one more time i'll scream.

I graduated June 2004, took a year off (wanted plenty of time to adjust and train for the job), and just started back to school this fall.

Marie,

this is off topic but I was wondering where you worked for your first year as an LPN? Can u tell me what it was like when u first started?

Ill also probably be doing the same thing (taking a year off) because the timing of my graduation was off so I missed the LPN-RN transition application period for this January, which means Ill have to apply for next January in the Fall. If I dont have the patience to wait, I may get my RN online. Im currently looking into local job opportunities, I really want to work in a hospital but the chances are slim bc they arent hiring many LPNs at the hospitals here, and the few positions available require experience. I wanted to work in a hospital bc I know thats where you learn the most and I thought it would make me a better nurse for it, as well as make it easier when I become an RN.

Good luck in your RN program!

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
You know, I'm guilty of thinking the same thing - not because I think that an LPN is an inferior degree, but because I know that one more year of school will get you a huge boost in salary! And probably more paperwork and responsibility and stress and administrative duties, but if I'm making $10 bucks an hour more, I'll deal with it.

But being asked "are you going for your RN" might as well be followed with "cuz you're diploma's not good enough in my eyes". Not saying that's what you think, i'm just saying that's how it feels every single time people ask a question that really doesn't involve them.

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But being asked "are you going for your RN" might as well be followed with "cuz you're diploma's not good enough in my eyes". Not saying that's what you think, i'm just saying that's how it feels every single time people ask a question that really doesn't involve them.

The interesting thing is that most people who say that or think that probably could not tell you what the difference between an LPN and an RN is. Myself included. My mother is an LPN, she told me people refer to it as "Lady Playing Nurse".

Is your RN program local (central Florida?)

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, Peds, LDRP.
The interesting thing is that most people who say that or think that probably could not tell you what the difference between an LPN and an RN is. Myself included. My mother is an LPN, she told me people refer to it as "Lady Playing Nurse".

Is your RN program local (central Florida?)

lol, Ive also heard LPNs referred to as "Practically a nurse"

Ive decided Im going to get my RN through Excelsior College online, I should start around November/December and finish about the same time next year. I have most pre reqs already so I may finish even sooner....I only have about 6 classes to take, if I do one a month thats 6 months....but there is a long wait for the CPNE (clinical exam). Really I just am in a rush to get the pay I deserve bc the truth is LPNs do almost everything an RN does for far less pay and respect. Also, more so than caring what others think, I just want to be able to tap into the numerous opportunities for RN's. There are so many more doors that will open. After that Im going to try to go into the RN-MSN program. If I cant get into the one at UCF, there is a distance learning RN-MSN program that will soon be availablen thru Indiana State University, which I plan to research.

let us know how the meeting went with UCF!

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