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)?
In my situation I don't have a choice. I don't have four years to go to school before I become certified. Its not a matter of saying "hey I'm a nurse", its a matter of putting food on the table for my child and working twards my ultimate goal in the meantime. You need to realize just because it is a waste of time to you doesn't mean thats what it is for others. You are coming off as very condesending and its not appreciated. When someone asks for your advice thats what they want. They dont want to be told that your way is the only way.
only temporary. i don't plan on stopping. and it's better than the $12 an hour i was making as a paramedic working 24 hr shifts with a bullproof vest on, thats for sure.
Ah, so, even though you like it, you are getting away from it. Doesnt that say it all. You dont like it enough to stick with it. If someone has the opportunity to leap frog the LPN step, why wouldnt you?
bf is a travel nurse, only renewed until april 09, had to poop or get off the pot, so i did the LPN program.
Like I said, there are always other options. BF renew again so you have time to get the RN, or.....get a staff position just till you are done with school. Or, get the next travel position close enough so that you will still be able to see him. I traveled between Baltimore and Pittsburgh for 13 weeks, its not that bad.
if there weren't people like me who made "bad decisions" and became LPNs, who would work in LTC, ALF, MD offices, clinics, and those sweat-shop like floors, the nursing "shortage" would be alot worse.
Actually, I dont blame LPNs for nursing homes and other places with sweat shop conditions, but if they had to change their ways, I dont think anyone would complain. If the politicians actually abolish the whole LPN program (not my suggestion, just pointing out that that is how they act, as if they plan this), these places would be forced to do business a different way.
When I say I would not suggest getting the LPN license, its because I hope the person asking wont have to make comments like " i work very hard, for less pay, but my bills get paid". Someone who does what an LPN does should not be feeling that way. LPN is only different from RN in the books, in real life, they are mirror images, twins. Why should you, doing the same thing I do, have to count pennies to pay bills and get treated differently than me?
i absolutely think the OP should go for the RN first, and i said that too... all i was saying was if she has to become an LPN first, there is nothing wrong with it. why make her feel bad about it? you do what you have to do to put food on the table. i know in my area there are no part-time RN programs. most advise you not to work at all. i put in 40-50 hrs per week in nursing school bc i had to.
if i could go back to being 16, still had the option of my parents paying for college, i would have graduated hs and gone right to a 4 yr university. but it didnt work out that way. i made alot of bad decisions and here i am. i never wanted to be an LPN. my plans didn't work out as i wanted them.... but why should i be negative about it and mope about being a LPN? it's a great job!
anyway, with this economy, i'm incredibly blessed to have a job, as we all are. i know quite a few LPN's and RN's (mostly new grads) who are having trouble finding a job right now r/t hospital cutbacks. i haven't seen a new face in months!
erik, still love you, even if you are a bosox fan. :heartbeat
i absolutely think the OP should go for the RN first, and i said that too... all i was saying was if she has to become an LPN first, there is nothing wrong with it. why make her feel bad about it? you do what you have to do to put food on the table. i know in my area there are no part-time RN programs. most advise you not to work at all. i put in 40-50 hrs per week in nursing school bc i had to.
if i could go back to being 16, still had the option of my parents paying for college, i would have graduated hs and gone right to a 4 yr university. but it didnt work out that way. i made alot of bad decisions and here i am. i never wanted to be an LPN. my plans didn't work out as i wanted them.... but why should i be negative about it and mope about being a LPN? it's a great job!
anyway, with this economy, i'm incredibly blessed to have a job, as we all are. i know quite a few LPN's and RN's (mostly new grads) who are having trouble finding a job right now r/t hospital cutbacks. i haven't seen a new face in months!
erik, still love you, even if you are a bosox fan. :heartbeat
So you can go to school part time to get your LPN? Be in school less each semester?
See, I didnt know that. Shoot, I worked 36hrs a week while in school, sometimes more. Hated it. Didnt do so well on a test or two simply because the work/school schedules collided.
Now that would be a reason to go the LPN route maybe. That I can respect, going part time because you have to and you want to take in everything being taught. Hmmm, now, would I have been an LPN had I know it was a part time program? IDK.
So you can go to school part time to get your LPN? Be in school less each semester?
See, I didnt know that. Shoot, I worked 36hrs a week while in school, sometimes more. Hated it. Didnt do so well on a test or two simply because the work/school schedules collided.
Now that would be a reason to go the LPN route maybe. That I can respect, going part time because you have to and you want to take in everything being taught. Hmmm, now, would I have been an LPN had I know it was a part time program? IDK.
i don't know how many hrs it equates to a semester, but i went to 6 days a week (monday-saturday). for the first few semesters, it was alllll lecture. then for the last year and a half or so, i went monday, tuesday, fri 5p-11p, clinicals weds, thurs 5p-12a, saturday lecture/lab 7a-3p.
it was definately a much better choice for me since i could not afford to quit my job. most ppl in my class were working adults who were rejected from the local ADN programs that also worked full time. it wasn't my first choice, but it was my best option. :)
In my situation I don't have a choice. I don't have four years to go to school before I become certified. Its not a matter of saying "hey I'm a nurse", its a matter of putting food on the table for my child and working twards my ultimate goal in the meantime. You need to realize just because it is a waste of time to you doesn't mean thats what it is for others. You are coming off as very condesending and its not appreciated. When someone asks for your advice thats what they want. They dont want to be told that your way is the only way.
that WASNT pointed at you eriksoln
I'm assuming this was your passive-aggressive way of saying your comment was meant for me. I don't know how anything I said could've come off rude, I was just stating my decision after posting and reading this thread, and how I came to it. Like I said before I didn't come on here to offend anyone or spark any debates. I came for advice. You made the comment "You want to start working as a nurse ASAP!" and I responded that no, my goal is NOT to become a nurse ASAP. My goal is to get into a career I will enjoy asap but efficiently and in a manner that is best for my family (me and my son). There is a difference. You then went on to say that just b/c an LPN isn't for me doesn't mean it's not worthwhile for others, something which I had already said pretty much verbatim myself already on this thread. I don't see anything I've written that has been condescending. You may or may not agree with things I've written, but just because you don't agree doesn't mean that what I am saying is condescending. I certainly haven't tried to be condescending or rude to anyone and apologize if I have come across as so in any way.
I have no idea what you meant by your comment "When someone asks for your advice thats what they want. They dont want to be told that your way is the only way." I'm the one that asked for the advice in the first place and people gave me their opinions, then I responded with what I had decided. Logansmom, I wish you the best of luck in your endeavors and pray that everything works out for you.
i wasnt saying that to you!!! i didn't know that was from you. i thought it was someone else and i was trying to defend you and i by saying what i said!!!!! when i said people come on here for advice i was referring to you! i had no idea it was you. i thought someone was trying to push their opinion on you...lol! omg! im soooooo sorry i got totally mixed up!!!!:heartbeat
I'm confused too now. I say we get this done the right way. We can set up a mud pitt, you guys wear bikinis and go at it. I'll film it all and make money from airing it on youtube.
See, everything is all better now. I know I feel better.
Whatever the op decides is right for her, is right for her. My opinion as I have already said. I think a person learns more from the experience as an lvn first. In the hospital anyway since you do basically almost the same tasks. notice I said tasks not anything else. The bsn programs DO not have as much clinical exp as the adns or the lvns for that matter. It all depends on what works for you. I needed something fairly quick as I was a single mom. It was in no way easy. I in no way look down on lvns as they have saved my butt a few times. I needed a quick way to earn a living and the lvn program was it,. I then could take my basics one or two at a time, then I was at my hospital long enough they started a program to pay for the adn program or I probably wouldn't have done it. Now I would like my bsn but that **** chem is kicking my butt and don't know if I will get there. WHichever way you need to go to work for you is the way i would go
I don't know how anything I said could've come off rude, I was just stating my decision after posting and reading this thread, and how I came to it. Like I said before I didn't come on here to offend anyone or spark any debates. I came for advice. You made the comment "You want to start working as a nurse ASAP!" and I responded that no, my goal is NOT to become a nurse ASAP. My goal is to get into a career I will enjoy asap but efficiently and in a manner that is best for my family (me and my son). There is a difference. You then went on to say that just b/c an LPN isn't for me doesn't mean it's not worthwhile for others, something which I had already said pretty much verbatim myself already on this thread. I don't see anything I've written that has been condescending. You may or may not agree with things I've written, but just because you don't agree doesn't mean that what I am saying is condescending. I certainly haven't tried to be condescending or rude to anyone and apologize if I have come across as so in any way.
SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN
10,263 Posts
BSN. Hands down.