Surg Tech or LVN ...Road to RN

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  1. Which Job will Better Prepare for L&D/ ER RN?

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      Surg Tech
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      L&D
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      Neither, Just Work as Phlebotomist Till I can Apply for RN

I just got my CNA and Phlebotomy license. My goal is to become an RN but its going to be a long road as I have prereqs still and 2 young kids. Ive recently been toying around with the idea of starting an LVN program in preparation for RN. However, I recently discovered Surg Tech and I really like the idea of doing this. I'm hoping to work in L&D and ER one day so I know have OR/Surg experience would be a benefit. Just curious as to what others think would be the best job to have while pursuing RN? I live in San Diego so income alone, Surg Techs make more than LVNs from what I have seen on the labor board of statistics.

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
Ive recently been toying around with the idea of starting an LVN program in preparation for RN.

I don't see LVN as a choice.

Becoming an LPN set the stage and inspired me to become an RN.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I worked as an LVN for four years before obtaining my RN license...

However, I have the sneaking suspicion that the OP is considering an overpriced investor-owned school with $30,000+ tuition to complete whichever program she chooses. After all, Kaplan College is in San Diego, the city where she lives.

The new grad LVN and surgical tech job markets are not good or robust in the area where the OP resides, so it would be a horrible idea to incur massive debt and not be able to secure employment after completing the training program.

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Actually the Grossmont ROP school is where I'm looking to get my LVN and it cost $4600 so I wouldn't be concerned about a sneaking suspicion especially since my question was about the comparison in jobs not schools.

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In some states an LPN can work as a surgical tech (but, a surgical tech can't work as an LPN). A few of my LPN classmates went on to work in the OR. If your ultimate goal is RN then LPN would be your best choice between the two because, you can bridge over. I'm not aware of any surgical tech to RN bridge programs.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Actually the Grossmont ROP school is where I'm looking to get my LVN and it cost $4600 so I wouldn't be concerned about a sneaking suspicion especially since my question was about the comparison in jobs not schools.
Your thread's been moved to the Pre-Nursing Student forum. Good luck to you!
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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
In some states an LPN can work as a surgical tech (but, a surgical tech can't work as an LPN). A few of my LPN classmates went on to work in the OR. If your ultimate goal is RN then LPN would be your best choice between the two because, you can bridge over. I'm not aware of any surgical tech to RN bridge programs.

I am also unaware of any ST to RN bridge programs. The most you could hope for is acceptance of previously taken prereqs.

I'd also be careful about assuming an LPN won't have any trouble getting a job in the role of ST- an ST completes a program that teaches them to know what to do in the OR. An LPN wouldn't, and therefore would need a lot of on the job training. A lot of facilities aren't going to do that when they've got an option of applicants who already know the basics of scrubbing.

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