Should I go LVN or RN route?

Jules A, MSN · May 5, 2007

Hi,

If you can afford to live on your secretary wages while in school I'd go for the RN but if not LPN is a great option. As for the time, it all depends on the school and their pre-req requriements. Good luck!

allantiques4me · May 5, 2007

It all depends on what you want.I wanted to be an LPN.I had four young kids and a husband when I went to school.It pays well and i love my job.You could always go back for your RN while working as an LPN making good money.Rns of coorifice make more money and have more responsibilities.I personally am content with being an LPN at this time.

GR8LVN · May 5, 2007

Hi if you are married and have the second income, LPN works. At least for me it did. I find being a LPN/LVN gives you more direct patient care. I mean after all, isn't this why we choose to be Nurses. The RN gets paid much better and with this comes the extra schooling and extra responsibility. Bottom line is, can you or do you want to run the floor? This will help you decide. Good Luck with what ever route you choose.

jlhalloween · May 5, 2007

It all depends on what you want.I wanted to be an LPN.I had four young kids and a husband when I went to school.It pays well and i love my job.You could always go back for your RN while working as an LPN making good money.Rns of coorifice make more money and have more responsibilities.I personally am content with being an LPN at this time.

How much do you get paid hourly because like you said I could always work while getting my RN.

antidote · May 5, 2007

In simple terms, an RN gets paid much more (in about 95% of all cases) and has much more responsibility than LPN's. This is simpyl due to the detail and how far in depth the training goes (the difference between RN and LPN).

However, as you most likely know LPN's can obtain additional certifications such as ACLS, IV Therapy and specialize just as RN's can. By having both certifications, your chances are more likely to find a job in an actual hospital and have a larger salary than the other LPN's.

If you're looking to touch the field and find out whether or not nursing is a feild that you're truley interested in, I'd go right for the LPN reoute despite that benefits of the RN route. If you have the money however, go right for your RN! It will be much easier to find a job and besides the benefits...!

Trauma Columnist · May 5, 2007

As someone who did the LPN and RN route, I would definitely skip the LPN and go right to the RN, in fact I will even go further and state go for the BSN - this will give you the most opportunities for great jobs and more pay.

mimis07 · May 5, 2007

i would like to know what is an lpn and a gn and what is the difference and on pay also

pagandeva2000, LPN · May 6, 2007

i would like to know what is an lpn and a gn and what is the difference and on pay also

LPN= licensed practical nurse; basic bedside nursing

gn= graduate nurse (no license yet)

RN= registered nurse; takes about 2-3 years with an associate's degree and 4-5 for bachelor's degree. They have more theory than practical, bedside skills

The rate of pay depends on the area you live, but in general, the RN does get paid more, and has additional responsibilities such as initial assessment and additional skills, a better variety of career options.

pagandeva2000, LPN · May 6, 2007

I was initially going for LVN but everyone is telling me to do RN. I am a unit secretary at a hospital for telemetry floor. Any advice would be appreciated. How long would it take me to finish prerequisites?

Many people will say that to you, because it is a fact, RNs have more opportunities and better pay than LPNs; and depending on who sees it this way, more recognition and respect. In many cases, RN programs are more competitive and the waiting lists are generally longer. What I suggest you do in any case is begin to assess your weak areas and begin preparing; for example, many programs have entry exams, such as the NLN exam, which is testing your skills in reading, writing, math and science. If you are weak in these areas, I suggest that you take some refresher courses because the higher your score, the better your chances are to be admitted into the school of your choice. If you are going for the LPN through a vocational school, there may not be any pre-requisites, but, just the same, brush up for their entry exams as well. From what I am hearing from these boards, most people that did decide to become LPNs first, did it because they didn't wish to be placed on waiting lists for 2-5 years...they wanted to become nurses early on and most of them are still working to become RNs while gaining nursing experience as LPNs.

From my perspective, I have not felt limited as an LPN; I have one main job and two agencies that keep me busy. And, I am not interested in becoming an RN because it is too much responsibility for me, personally. I have the ability to make close to $600 in one weekend, at an agency that does home care. The work is not that bad and I really enjoy my work. What I would do is ask both, the LPNs and RNs that you know what they do, compare and see what you wish to do. Hear what appeals to you and go in that direction. And, if you did choose to become an LPN first, you can always continue to become an RN.

nursynurseRN · May 6, 2007

This is what I did, First I did all my pre reqs for the RN program, then I applied. I have been waitlised everywhere since 2004. It's partly bad luck and partly cause my GPA was 2.89 not over 3.0. So in fall 2005 I started an LVN program fulltime. I graduated, got my license and now working in a hospital med/surg unit. I'm getting experience and now I just got another letter from one of the schools I applied at saying that I wasn't selected for fall '07 ADN program. As an LVN though, I have more options for schools. So I have started with ISU online. I will be getting my BSN in about 2 years. So honestly i didn't want to wait. If you have a good GPA and can get in fast get your ADN. If it looks like you are gonna have to wait more than 2 semesters get your lvn apply for rn schools and see what happens.

scaredofshots · May 6, 2007

At our hospital the LPN's make what the pre RN student nurse makes and the student nurse is doing tech work, SO think about this do you really want to get a degree that won't pay you for what you do. ie: LPN's do the same thing as the RN's but get paid ten dollars less. Just something else to think about... :nurse: