Stay with good paying job, or go with LVN program??? NEED ADVICE.....

maleRN2b_one · Aug 28, 2006

Well I was really excited I got accepted to a LVN program (which starts in 2 weeks, sept 5th). I got the letter in June. Then in July, I got an offer for a job at Stanford Hospital (SUMC), which is paying me $20/hr. So my plan was to do the program and work the per diem positions in the evenings (so its flexible with my school, and I would work as many hours).
So anyway, I wanted to originally do RN, and was going to a community college, finished all my G.E. but I would still need to do A&P and Micro for the ADN program... (but since there's a lottery and waitlist everywhere, that is why I decided to go and do my LVN, so I could work and gain experience as a nurse while getting paid decent money to support myself and two children.
and welll, now I'm thinking if I should back out of the LVN program, and continue to do my prereqs for RN, since I already have a good job that pays good money already. (and doesn't LVN's start around $15-19, of which I'm already making like a LVN??)
I don't want to regret it.. because 3 years ago I started an LVN program, but backed out...to go back to school to do my RN (that's why I finished all my G.E. and even received my A.S. already in Natural Science). But I regret it now. My friend who I started that program with three years ago, went through with the program... and has been an LVN since she graduated and now is making $30/hr.. plus she's back at school working on RN prereqs.
... I'm stressing myself out over this.. I need all your advice.
Should I just keep working here at Stanford getting paid $20/hr while finishing my A&P and micro, then apply everywhere... or should I go through with the LVN program (that I already got accepted to) for experience and already work as a nurse, but I'm already making the same as an LVN starting out or maybe more??
There are advantages and disadvantages.
Being an LVN first will give me experience as beinga nurse, on the nclex, decent money, I can be qualified for school reimbursment when I go back for my RN, etc... disadvantage, I'm getting paid already like an LVN.
being an RN, is of course a plus... but the wait and lottery are the disadvantages (as well as not knowing how long it will take you).

What a strange coincidence ! I am exactly on the same boat as you are. Anyway, to answer your question, I would just go ahead with the LVN program, and forget about your job in Stanford reason being is that there is always a potential to lose a job unexpectedly, get fired or laid off or something. What if you decided to do your prereqs, and keep your Stanford job, and then get into trouble with another co-worker or with your boss, and get fired or laid off, then what are your going to do? For me, doing the LVN program is a surer bet. First, once you are an LVN, you are closer to becoming an RN later. Second, it is relatively easier to get another LVN job is you happen to lose one unexpectedly. At this point in my life, I cannot take the risk. As you get older, you would want to only take a surer route. I am just done with taking career risks. I don't want to do that anymore. I have done that too many times when I was younger, and my advice to younger folks is to secure yourself first, and then you can take any kind of risk later on, and it would not matter so much at that point whatever the result is since you already have something secure, and stable going for you. If the result is positive, then I'd consider that as a bonus. I am not saying that you shouldn't take risks in life because sometimes with greater risk comes greater rewards. But you can certainly choose when to do it. For me, I'd rather secure myself first and go with a much surer path, and then later on, go with something riskier if I still want to.

Hope that helps! Just my 2 cents...I could be wrong and am certainly not an expert...

Good Luck on your decision. Let us know what you decide on...Post back here, if you will.

mentalhealthman · Aug 28, 2006

Going to LVN school would not be a bad idea. Not sure about the RN programs out there, but I think that most of them have bridge programs for LPNs/LVNs. So the time would not be a waste. If your job is flexible, which it sounds like it, Go For It. I know that having a license has payed off for me. Like the last comment, you never know what you don't know.

tirzo13 · Sep 30, 2006

I'd check out college of san mateo and chabot, i got offers from them on the first try.

I instead went to allan hancock which is in central california.

anyway, since you are working at Stanford, you know those schools.

i suggest applying to every school in the bay area.

if you are making $20 now, i'd suggest working on your RN prereqs, then getting into a program.

some schools will let you on the list without the prereqs done, just have to have them finished when you start the program.

different schools have different rules.

or getting your LVN first.

either way is fine.

I went LVN first because after my CNA, i had a invitation because the directer of the LVN program was my CNA teacher, and she wanted me in.

i didn't want to wait for the RN prereqs, which i did later and then went to RN school.

i don't think i helped you?

but you seem to be making good money now, some don't, that is why i think you can skip the LVN.