What would you do? (a little long!)

[GaMBA]

Hi everyone! I would love to hear your advice, especially those who have faced a similar situation. I have been working on prereqs for an LPn program at the local community college since last July. I'll be done with all of them next quarter and be eligible to begin the LPN program that starts this summer (1-yr program), assuming I got accepted. The LPN program would be paid for by the state of GA via a grant program I am eligible for (and that has been paying for my prereqs and books)

I ultimately want to get my BSN and was originally planning on bridging my way up (for financial reasons), but have recently been thinking about bypassing the LPN route and just going straight into a BSN program. I haven't seen any LPN jobs in my area that appeal to me and becoming an LPN would take me away from the hospital environment that I enjoy working in and want to stay in. I currently work as a CNA at a local hospital here in GA.

If I start taking BSN program prereqs next quarter (starts in March), I'll be able to apply for BSN programs that begin next yr. I have 2 degrees and I only need to complete 5 or 6 more prereqs (mainly the sciences) to be eligible for the BSN programs next yr. Going straight for the BSN via a 2-3 program could mean more money out of my pocket, but it will be a more streamlined process to my goal and allow me to keep my job in the hospital. Hopefully I could simply transition into an RN role once done with my schooling.

I also have been considering the fact that there's a part-time 2.5 yr BSN program in my area at a state school, that would allow me to keep my fulltime job (and benefits) and get my degree in a timely manner.

So my question is, what would you do? Would you go ahead and do the (paid for) LPN first then bridge your way up (hopefully employer sponsored) and just work at jobs you may not like for a while until you reached your goal, OR would you bypass the LPN and just go straight for the BSN even though it might cost you more money out of your pocket (via loans)?

I appreciate everyone's advice! TIA

[81ke83]

I personally would go straight for the BSN. You will save alot of time. Not sure how it works in Georgia. Our LVN program is 1 1.2 years, Then you go into the RN program, another 1 1/2 years. That give you an RN with an ADN degree. You then have another two years to get your BSN. I am guessing some of your prereqs will transfer. I sure would look into it. I didn't have a choice when I did my RN with ADN. We didn't have any schools nearby that had a BSN program. Now there is one and it is impacted. I am doing my BSN online starting this semester at a Cal State.

Good luck to you ! whatever you decide:heartbeat

[teensmom]

I would do the part-time BSN route. Maybe your present employer would help pay for that, as long as you kept working? I am not knocking LPN's, but there aren't many jobs out there for them. It just seems to make more sense to go part-time, keep your benefits and get it all done in 2.5 years.

Good luck!

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

I would do the part time bsn route myself. I'm in a program where you can get your lpn and continue on, which is what I did and I would have rather have had the opportunity to do a ba part time. You don't get that much more experience as a lpn really. I took a job in ltc and basically run the whole night shoving pills down residents throats. There is a bit more to it, but you really run and shove! Good luck in whatever you decide.

[litbitblack, ASN, RN]

I honestly think lpn needs to be a requirement but it also depends on the amount of clinical time the bsn program gives. You get more actual experience with more clinical unless you want management which most bsn programs tend to be geared towards. going the cna,lpn,rn route kinda gives you a broad based experience

[GaMBA]

What experience would I get as an LPN that I won't or can't get as an RN and in a BSN program?

[Batman24]

Go the p/t BSN route and keep your current jobs, benefits, etc. You will have more opportunities available to you as a RN than a LPN. I also liked the suggestion someone had above about your current employer helping to pay some of the costs. Do you have tuition reimbursement?! I'd look into that ASAP. :)

[Rabid Response]

I would do the BSN program without a doubt. Most of the hospitals in my area are not even hiring LPNs anymore. My own hospital has a few LPNs that are working as CNAs. If you want to work in an acute care setting, you should get your RN. I don't see what clinical experience you would get training to be an LPN that you wouldn't get in BSN clinicals or even that you already have d/t working as a CNA. It may cost you more in the short run to go for the BSN, but I think it's worth it.

[sunray12]

Different point of view from the previous posters: I would take the lpn route because my priority would be to be working as a nurse as soon as possible. If you do the lpn program you'll be done and ready to work in a year. If you go with the bsn route from the timeline you described with additional prereqs and start dates you may not be working as a nurse until 3-4 years from now. Additionally the lpn program is at no cost to you - that's definitely a strike in its favor. Just my 2.5 cents. But I am open minded to a variety of work experiences because I learn from all of them so if being I had the opportunity to be a lpn for a while as I worked on my bsn or msn I would be fine with it.

[GaMBA]

Sunray, my original thinking was the exact same as yours. Thing is, even though I'd be able to work as a nurse sooner going the LPN route, I haven't seen any LPN opportunities that appeal to me. My manager at the hospital told me the hospital I work at isn't hiring LPNs anymore. When I look online, it doesn't look like many other hospitals in the area are either, but the hospital environment is where I'd like to be.

Also, while I won't have to pay anything for the LPN program itself, I would very likely have to cut back my hours at work to part-time, which would decrease my income for a year, increase the monthly cost of my benefits (drastically!), and I'd probably have to take out loans to help pay for basic living expenses for the year I'd be in school. And after doing all of that, I'd have to come out of LPN school and look for a new job or I could continue to work as the hospital CNA that I am now but with LPN behind my name (at the CNA pay) until I got my RN license.

When I first considered the idea of LPN school, the idea of working in a nursing home until I got my RN sounded fine to me b/c I didn't know any better. I figured I'd just do what I have to do to get where I want to get. But now that I've worked a little in both the LTC and hospital settings, I know that the hospital is more in line with my interests. I don't want to work in a dr's office, or as a school nurse, in home health, in a clinic, in a nursing home, or in a jail. I'd like to get experience working with the variety of patients and diseases/illnesses/emergencies/conditions I see in the hospital, a place where I can move to very different areas if I choose to and see so much. I think I'd miss out on all of this by being an LPN, even if just for a little while.

[chevyv, BSN, RN]

Not to mention that as a new lpn in ltc, you'll be lucky to get out on time ever! I'm new and still find myself almost 2 hrs after my shift just punching out! These 10 hr days are killing me!! I barely get any sleep because I have to get my kids up and off to school, I'm a part time nursing student, and a new lpn to boot! The long shifts are very difficult. I would go for the bsn! You'll have alot more opportunities and really time is going to go by no matter what so do something you think is worth it! Good luck

[MB37]

If you want to be an RN and work in acute care, it makes more sense to me to pursue that degree now. If you feel you can get the loans and that you can get by on CNA pay for long enough to go for it, go for the BSN right off the bat - if you've already completed some prerequisites, it most likely won't take much longer than an ADN program would. Make sure you check into GA's tuition reimbursement programs too - you may be able to get at least some of your loans paid back for you. And no, BSN programs are not all about management - but that discussion is for another forum.