To LPN or RN?

[colleen10]

Hi everyone,

I am a 25 year old college graduate living in Pittsburgh that has decided to go into the nursing field. I currently make pretty good money as does my husband. However, I do not believe that we would be able to financially handle me going back to school full time for two years to get an RN. But I believe that if I save up we will be ok if I go to school full time for an LPN. Then, I figured while I work I could go back to school on weekends/Adult Education to get my RN.

Has anyone out there tried this? Any ideas/advice? Do you think I would be better off in the long run just sticking it out and getting my RN in one fail swoop?

If you know what the major differences are between LPN and RN in our area I'd be interested in that too.

Also, if anyone has any comments on LPN and RN schools in the Pittsburgh area I would like to hear what you think.

[Teshiee]

If you speak to a lot of nurses you will find we were LVN/LPN's before we became RN's. Thank goodness becoming a RN has several path ways. For me was what your dilemma was I didn't have 2 years to sacrifice so I did become a LVN first and 4 years later a RN. I know that some RN programs will let LVN start in the last 2 semesters because the LVN courses met the criteria. Check around. I know in Los Angeles many RN programs are testing LVN's to place them in second semester if they don't score high enough. I also found that RN school wasn't hard because of my LVN background. Starting as a LVN does have its advantages. :p

[RNforLongTime]

I say go for the RN. I believe that the Pittsburgh area has some hospital based diploma schools--my opinion is that these schools put out the best nurses cause they spend more time in clinicals. And I am a BSN grad but I started off in a diploma school! Good luck!

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Philly area nurse here .....coordinate Pittsburgh referrals for my homecare agency. WE 'RE CRYING FOR NURSES in PGH area! Have to turn down referrals (bad words) due to lack of staff.

Heres some sites for you to visit that discuss what the nursing profession is like today:

http://www.tobeanurse.com

http://nursing.about.com/cs/aboutnursing/

Link to all PA shools of Nursing:

http://www.dos.state.pa.us/bpoa/nurbd/nurprograms.htm

I started college 73, car problems so dropped out, got married went to LPN 1 year program 76 then returned for 3 years finsh BSN 82. Don't regret that route but few programs in those days.

Since you already have a degree, I would investigate bridge programs in your area. You might be surprised how few courses it would take to get your RN degree---LPN is one FULL YEAR at least 6-8 hours day straight class time. RN will open many more doors. If finances tight, look at Community college programs as least expensive. Since nursing shortage just really hitting your area, call local hospitals to see if any tuition assitance in exchange for work committment too.

PM if more info needed.

[soapy612]

Babs,

I also live in GA and was wondering where you were talking about that offers an RN with an AD. I have been attending a University in hopes of getting a B.S.N. but have found it to be very challenging to get into nursing school and was looking for the best way of getting an RN in hopes of later getting my BSN. Any information you could give me would be very helpful.

Thanks,

soapy612

Nursing school is very demanding and time consuming and will pull a student far away from his/her family. Everyone married classmate I had (and there were quite a few) was on the brink of divorce by the time the last quarter came around. School on nights and weekends? Never saw a nursing program like that. Classes are usually sequential and are provided with co-requisites. Here in GA all the tech schools (only place to get an LPN diploma) have gone to "technical college" status and are now giving Associate Degrees which makes me wonder why anyone in their right mind would go for LPN anymore when you can get your RN with an AD.

But whichever road you may decide to take, don't make the mistake of thinking your life will be any better (or of thinking that you'll actually HAVE a life) during OR after nursing school. It won't, and you won't.

Best of luck,

Babs