Should I try to earn my RN license or go back to college?

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Good day "allnurses.com" patrons. I have been an LPN for a bit. I am wishing to further my career as a nurse but I do not know which direction to go.... I want to maximize my earning potential while becoming better educated as a nurse (not sure what area to choose). I have heard numerous times that RN's have higher earnings than LPN's. I have a Bachelor's degree in nursing but I am starting to feel like a career boost would help me despite my current educational background. I know that you all are very helpful and passionate with your comments. Please let me know what you think I should do. I'm not even sure if I can go back to college for any degree that coincides with the nursing profession as an LPN. I heard and read from several sources that in order to earn anything that pertains to nursing, I must go be be an RN first. Thank you all for your feedback.

Gratefully,

Divine-LPN,BSN

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Oops, please pardon the type-o. My auto text has a mind of its own.?

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Where are you from? Things work a little different in my state it would seem. In NJ, practical nursing is more of a trade. There are schools that offer a bridge to RN program which is about 12-18 months and you end up graduating with your associates/diploma of nursing and then most people (or at least this is what I plan to do) earn their BSN online. But you have a BSN?! Can you just take the NCLEX-RN and become an RN?

I know things vary from state to state and stuff so I’m confused !

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Hi, Dontbetachy11. Yes, I may sit for my NCLEX-RN boards. I checked with the Board of Nursing where I am located. I'm not sure if I should do that or try to get into a college instead..... If you were in my situation, what would you decide? College (if possible) or the NCLEX-RN?

Thank you so much for your help...

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
40 minutes ago, Divine-LPN,BSN said:

Hi, Dontbetachy11. Yes, I may sit for my NCLEX-RN boards. I checked with the Board of Nursing where I am located. I'm not sure if I should do that or try to get into a college instead..... If you were in my situation, what would you decide? College (if possible) or the NCLEX-RN?

Thank you so much for your help...

What would you be going back to college for? Many schools aren't even going to admit someone for a degree they already have. If you have the degree and are qualified to sit for NCLEX, sit for NCLEX. There are many review courses out there that can help with studying and reviewing.

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Specializes in Rehab/LTC.

If you have already earned your BSN, why not just take the NCLEX and work as a RN instead of going back to college? Which I am confused about since you are wanting to work as a RN and you already hold a BSN.

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Merely curious: How did it work out that you completed a BSN program without a plan to take (or, without subsequently taking) the NCLEX-RN? Was it just a 'life happened' sort of thing?

It seems like you need to undertake whatever steps are required from here for you to take the NCLEX-RN.

Are you sure the educational program you completed granted a BSN degree?

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If you’ve completed a program that allows you to sit for boards as an RN then go ahead and sit for the boards and gain your license as an RN. Then, think about going back to school. At least I would if I were you. Best of luck whichever you decide.

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I feel like this question doesnt make any sense and maybe you need to edit. Are you already a RN with a BSN and passed your boards? Can you clarify?

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Hello and thank you all for the feedback. As I previously mentioned, I am a Licensed Practical Nurse and I currently hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. I am considering going back to school for graduate studies but I hear that being an RN provides way more opportunities. Well, I have been doing some research and I am so happy because I CAN go back to college to pursue a Master's Degree that will benefit my career as a Nurse. I thought that being an LPN had me barred from going further in school. I also thought that unless I am a RN, my degree would not mean much. Although that is not the case as of now with me holding a BSN - at my first job, holding this degree started me off with a higher than usual base pay,- I just figured that people wouldn't lie about that.

So if anyone is wondering, there are endless possibilities for Master's studies that will boost my earning potential as an LPN and allow me to work in other areas of nursing. I can earn my Masters of Science Degree in Public Health, Nutrition, Biology, Holistic Health, Health Informatics, Psychology and the list goes on. Colleges will also accept LPN's into their program if the school offers a "Nursing - Non Practitioner - BSN Track to (MSN)."For other schools, perhaps if you email one of the admissions counselors, notifying them of your current credentials they, may accept you despite the typical requirement to be licensed as an RN. There are also bridge programs that help LPN's earn a Master of Science degree in Nursing. I know first-hand that although those schools have the student attend the institution with the intent of earning their RN license, once you graduate, the degree is still yours. There is no requirement to become an RN. For example, any LPN who wishes to advance his/her career with a BSN can enter an LPN-BSN bridge program. You would finish the curriculum with the credentials LPN,BSN instead of RN,BSN if you chose not to take the boards.

My final choice is to go back to college and earn my degree in something that I find interesting. I personally feel that earning a degree is more beneficial than going back and taking the NCLEX-RN exam because I am already a practitioner and if I decide not to continue with the nursing profession in the future - which is unlikely since I love being a Nurse!- I can use my degree(s) to work in other areas. A sound education speaks wonders about my capabilities no matter where I decide to work in the future.

Sincerely,

Divine-LPN,BSN

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
22 hours ago, Divine-LPN,BSN said:

Hello and thank you all for the feedback. As I previously mentioned, I am a Licensed Practical Nurse and I currently hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing. I am considering going back to school for graduate studies but I hear that being an RN provides way more opportunities. Well, I have been doing some research and I am so happy because I CAN go back to college to pursue a Master's Degree that will benefit my career as a Nurse. I thought that being an LPN had me barred from going further in school. I also thought that unless I am a RN, my degree would not mean much. Although that is not the case as of now with me holding a BSN - at my first job, holding this degree started me off with a higher than usual base pay,- I just figured that people wouldn't lie about that.

So if anyone is wondering, there are endless possibilities for Master's studies that will boost my earning potential as an LPN and allow me to work in other areas of nursing. I can earn my Masters of Science Degree in Public Health, Nutrition, Biology, Holistic Health, Health Informatics, Psychology and the list goes on. Colleges will also accept LPN's into their program if the school offers a "Nursing - Non Practitioner - BSN Track to (MSN)."For other schools, perhaps if you email one of the admissions counselors, notifying them of your current credentials they, may accept you despite the typical requirement to be licensed as an RN. There are also bridge programs that help LPN's earn a Master of Science degree in Nursing. I know first-hand that although those schools have the student attend the institution with the intent of earning their RN license, once you graduate, the degree is still yours. There is no requirement to become an RN. For example, any LPN who wishes to advance his/her career with a BSN can enter an LPN-BSN bridge program. You would finish the curriculum with the credentials LPN,BSN instead of RN,BSN if you chose not to take the boards.

My final choice is to go back to college and earn my degree in something that I find interesting. I personally feel that earning a degree is more beneficial than going back and taking the NCLEX-RN exam because I am already a practitioner and if I decide not to continue with the nursing profession in the future - which is unlikely since I love being a Nurse!- I can use my degree(s) to work in other areas. A sound education speaks wonders about my capabilities no matter where I decide to work in the future.

Sincerely,

Divine-LPN,BSN

MSN programs require not only the BSN (or ASN in some cases), but also that the student has an active RN license. If you actually have a BSN that makes you eligible for the NCLEX-RN, that is your wisest move if you are going to advance your career. Comparing going back for another degree vs. taking the RN boards is apples vs. oranges.

If I were considering you for a position, someone who is an LPN with a BSN would raise my eyebrows. I would have questions for sure.

Also, it's not RN, BSN — you list the degree first because it is permanent, unlike a license. So BSN, RN. Or apparently in your case, BSN, LPN.

Good luck deciding on your future path!

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I’m sorry. I’m curious on how an LPN has a BSN?

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