Trying to make a decision! LPN? RN?

[TMS1980]

Hello all....

I am trying to make a decision! I am having trouble deciding what to do.... Ugh-

I am currently in an accelerated RN program and am about half way through... I am actually at the point where I can take my LPN NCLEX if I wanted to.

The issue is that I am thinking about stopping now and working as an LPN for a while(1 to 2 years) then I would stay at home for at least 6 years possibly longer-

The reasons why are:

My husband and I are broke! :) he is a grad student can't work more than 20 hours per week. I work 6....

We want to have a baby soon- hope to start trying in Nov of this year....

I plan to stay home to take care of the children once we start. (We are both on board for this as he will have his Master's for electrical engineering and will be able to support us on his income only.)

If I am planning on working for a year or two then taking a long break, why take all this extra time when I can be working and saving money right now! When I want to go back to work I could do LPN again, finish RN at that point or I can always go back to teaching which is what my first degree is in.

LPN can make great money! I don't know... I have talked with a lot of people and some think I should keep going and others think LPN will be the smart choice. I am leaning toward LPN, but part of me hates to think I wouldn't be finishing what I start with the program. Thoughts?

[missdixie023]

I definitely understand your reasons for wanting to go with the LPN. Where I live, however, they no longer hire LPN's at any of the hospitals, and jobs are definitely scarce in LTC. The pay for LPN vs. RN here is very different as well. If I were you, I would hate to stop now. I would definitely finish, you are so close! I would hate to see you make this decision and regret it later, but then again you must do what is best for you and your family in the situation. Good luck!

[guiltysins]

Agree with the person above. It depends on where you live and what you want to be doing. Where I am LPN's don't usually get hired in hospitals and make about $10 or less than RN's do.

[ImJustMe]

Please don't stop. This is coming from someone who had to do an LPN to RN bridge program and it is much harder when you have waited and things will always come up! Go for it now! you're almost there =)