still undecided get my LPN then RN?

HM2VikingRN, RN · Dec 22, 2007

I would take A&P.

I would check out an accelerated RN program before committing to the LPN to RN bridge option.

It is possible to work while in school. I worked an average of 32 hours/week BUT I had a job where I could study while I was at work. If you can hold your work hours to 20 a week or less and still keep body and soul together that is probably the best compromise.

Best of luck in your career change.

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Dec 23, 2007

Great questions for our Nursing Career Advice Forum. I'll move the thread there for more responses. Good luck to you!

alicia09 · Dec 23, 2007

on the same note, I have a bachelors degree in Biology and I would like to be RN in a long run. I was planning to go for the accelerated nursing degree, but there are very few schools that have accelerated nursing program here in Northwest region. One of the RN that I am acquainted with told me that If I finish up two year RN program from a community college, then it would be equivalent to BSN Since I already have a BS degree. Just wanted to make sure if it is right.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 23, 2007

Are you're grades such that you're pretty much assured to getting into an RN program with ease? If so it's probably best that you stick with your goal and go for the RN for the consistency of learning and speed. What's another 9 months of school in the great scheme of things and you'll start out making much more money and having a wide variety of job opportunities. I'm not sure about where you live but LPN jobs here are scarce but for nursing homes.

Yes, I get breaks. To me it's part of my day that I schedule along with my other stuff. I've probably only worked a few shifts in 16 years where I didn't get to eat. Granted sometimes it's 10 minutes, but I do eat 99.999% of the time.

I worked 30something to 40 hours a week during my program. It was tough, but having all other classes, but nursing done helped.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 23, 2007

on the same note, I have a bachelors degree in Biology and I would like to be RN in a long run. I was planning to go for the accelerated nursing degree, but there are very few schools that have accelerated nursing program here in Northwest region. One of the RN that I am acquainted with told me that If I finish up two year RN program from a community college, then it would be equivalent to BSN Since I already have a BS degree. Just wanted to make sure if it is right.

Wrong. A BSN is a BSN without equivalents such an ADN with a degree in Biology. If that were the case, what would be the point of accellerated programs?

The basic nursing courses between and ADN and BSN are the same. But the BSN also has additional courses in Community Health, Leadership, Nursing Research, just to name a few, courses you don't have with your Biology Degree. Not to say that employers won't look favorably on a bachelor's degree in another field. I've seen many people get BSN-preferred jobs with appropriate degrees such as Business or Sciences. Just don't think that they are the same. All things being equal on down the line two applicants one with a BSN and one with an ADN with a Degree in Biology looking for a BSN preferred job, who do you think is going to get it?

However, if accellerated programs aren't offered, going ADN is a great way to get into nursing. I was an ADN nurse for 16 years and ended up doing very well making good money. There's a wide variety of jobs out there for us. I went to an online ADN to BSN program for greater opportunities away from the bedside as I age, and decided to use it to get an MSN.

Good luck to you.

There's many paths to take in nursing, no "one fits all" works. It depends on finances, time, location, grades, a bunch of facotrs.