Should I go for LPN?

"Just" a nurse · Nov 15, 2015

That's what my plan was. 3 1/2 years later, I'm still an lpn. In the nursing homes, not so bad. In the hospital, IF you can get a hospital job as an lpn, forget about it. I'm really learning that nurse bullying is still rampant. A lot of people forget that lpn doesn't mean "little pretend nurse."

If you have the opportunity to go for your rn now, do it. It's really easy to say you'll go back, but much harder to do. As far as the cost, community college will get you your adn, then you can go back for your bsn. Much cheaper that way, and if you choose well, just as good an education.

Also, as an rn,you can get a job as a nurse fellow. This would give you a little more hands-on experience prior to graduation. Additionally, if you go adn, it's only two more semesters for rn than lpn. At least, it was at my school.

Whatever you choose, good luck, and welcome to nursing. :up:

honeyforasalteyfish · Nov 15, 2015

That's what my plan was. 3 1/2 years later, I'm still an lpn. In the nursing homes, not so bad. In the hospital, IF you can get a hospital job as an lpn, forget about it. I'm really learning that nurse bullying is still rampant. A lot of people forget that lpn doesn't mean "little pretend nurse."
If you have the opportunity to go for your rn now, do it. It's really easy to say you'll go back, but much harder to do. As far as the cost, community college will get you your adn, then you can go back for your bsn. Much cheaper that way, and if you choose well, just as good an education.
Also, as an rn,you can get a job as a nurse fellow. This would give you a little more hands-on experience prior to graduation. Additionally, if you go adn, it's only two more semesters for rn than lpn. At least, it was at my school.
Whatever you choose, good luck, and welcome to nursing.

Thank you. The problem with my adn program application is the teas my school requires a 73 in the reading sectiomI got a 71.6, and a 71.3 overall.

If I can't raise my tease score I am not even eligible to apply. I figure I can get the minimum score, but with a 3.25, and a score in the low to mid seventies I don't know how competitive I will be.

I have gotten this far, and I have one more crack might as well take it again.

LPNtoRNin2016OH, LPN · Nov 15, 2015

I have been an LPN since 2008, now in a bridge program for my RN, I think becoming an LPN had been very beneficial. I will give you a little list why it has been for me:

- Gaining entry to the bridge program is easier because there is a small pool if it's truly an LPN to RN bridge program. Mine is 100% seperate from the regular nursing students. My program is hybrid between online and campus which is wonderful

- I did my LPN program at 19 so I never went to a regular college and did pre reqs. I started my pre reqs two years and they have been quite easy for me considering I have been in the field already

- I have made valuable contacts that will allow me an easier time finding a job in the hospital

- You do not have to work in LTC! I do PRN right now just because it's easiest but most of my LPN career has been spent as an allergy nurse in an ENT clinic and as an occupational health clinic. SNF is the worst really but it's good for keeping your skills up

- you can find a job that will pay all or half of your RN education. But keep in mind, most places require that you stay part time or full time to get this funding

- clinicals are easier. I have a good foundation, know how to interact with patients, and am confident in my skills. I also know I have a lot to learn and realize clinicals can be sort of a "interview for the future" so I make sure to work my booty off

There are cons to being an LPN:

- lack of respect as stated above. In LTC you will do the same job as your RN co worker but be paid less, many people consider you not a nuse but a glorified medical assistant

- in some areas, jobs can be hard to come by, but thats true for RN as well

- your options of where you can work are limited

- in the long run, it can cost more to do LPN then RN than if you were to do just your RN

That said, I am glad I did my LPN first. After I graduate with my ADN, I have two semesters online for my BSN, and I am done. Not all programs do this, but mines builds your BSN pre reqs into your ADN program so you can immediately bridge to that after graduation.

Also be aware that many bridge programs require you to essentially take the NCLEX PN again for entry. This hasn't been a big deal for me but it can be for some if you had difficulty with it in the past. I know of some bridge programs that require no entry test, just a good pre req GPA and working experience.

goo luck :)

LPNtoRNin2016OH, LPN · Nov 15, 2015

That's what my plan was. 3 1/2 years later, I'm still an lpn. In the nursing homes, not so bad. In the hospital, IF you can get a hospital job as an lpn, forget about it. I'm really learning that nurse bullying is still rampant. A lot of people forget that lpn doesn't mean "little pretend nurse."
If you have the opportunity to go for your rn now, do it. It's really easy to say you'll go back, but much harder to do. As far as the cost, community college will get you your adn, then you can go back for your bsn. Much cheaper that way, and if you choose well, just as good an education.
Also, as an rn,you can get a job as a nurse fellow. This would give you a little more hands-on experience prior to graduation. Additionally, if you go adn, it's only two more semesters for rn than lpn. At least, it was at my school.
Whatever you choose, good luck, and welcome to nursing. [/
Thank you. The problem with my adn program application is the teas my school requires a 73 in the reading sectiomI got a 71.6, and a 71.3 overall.
If I can't raise my tease score I am not even eligible to apply. I figure I can get the minimum score, but with a 3.25, and a score in the low to mid seventies I don't know how competitive I will be.
I have gotten this far, and I have one more crack might as well take it again.
The reading score may prove to hinder you during any studies, LPN or RN. Is there a reason for this, like english being your second language?

honeyforasalteyfish · Nov 15, 2015

JU

The reading score may prove to hinder you during any studies, LPN or RN. Is there a reason for this, like english being your second language?
No it's just been years since I have taken any English courses. I scored a 87+ in the paragraph comprehension. It was the informational source section that killed me. Like a 60 something, but I rushed through it.
I have the study guide going I am going to try again.
On the bright side I scored in the 93 percentile in science, hopefully I can duplicate that part in the second try.
I am going to get a tutor, and work specifically on informational source content.
I scored a 30 in the reading section on the ACT, so I think I can bump up my reading score on the teas.
Another factor is I took it the day after my CNA final, so I didn't have much time to study.
What studying I did do was for the mathematics.

quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN · Nov 16, 2015

You can get the TEAS Mastery App and use that at times, you are waiting for stuff. Anytime you have a chance to answer a few questions.