So Confused?

I'm still a student myself, but many a woman in my family has worked as either a LPN or STNA (nurse's aid). I was thinking about doing something similar to what you want to do with the LPN, but all of them cautioned me to go straight through and get my RN license. The problem with LPN is they are largely getting phased out - a friend of mine told me that in Maine they won't hire any STNA's or LPN's; you have to have at least a basic RN or don't bother applying for the job. (I live in Ohio, and about the only place LPN's are wanted are in the nursing homes.) In the short term, a LPN program might be cheaper, but be sure to scout out the jobs in your area for them.

I understand where you're coming from with having a lot out in loans. I recently changed majors due to realizing that there was no job outlook for the field I was in (astrophysics). Did you check with any of the hospitals in your area? Sometimes they have scholarships/grants and they may even have diploma RN programs which cost about the same as a community college program and is the same education. Most RN programs that I've seen cost ~$10,000. It might even be slightly less considering that you probably already have substantial chemistry and biology classes - correct?

Hope this helped!

When I started out my career goal was(and still is BS in Nursing). I received my acceptance letter to a community college 2hours away to a practial nursing program. Weighing it out I decided to move and take the spot instead of wating for something else to come along. I graduated from LPN school and 2 1/2years later I graduated from the same college with my Associates in nursing. While I was going to school for my RN I was able to gain valuable experience, accelerate myself into the third semester of the ADN program, and make a better living for myself than I could without my LPN. After graduation with my RN I changed jobs waited 2years and I am now going back for my BSN. I think you have to look at the market in your area. If you can get hired as a CNA and have an employer pay for your school. If you are accepted into one program and not another it may be worth looking into changing your plans (maybe not your overall goal). Hope this helps.

In the area that I live in I've heard many LPNs are being "phased out" and being replaced with CNA II. I've heard this from many RNs lately. I'm sure it has to do with money! The CNA II can do many of the things LPNs can do and require less pay.