Which path do i choose?

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

I'm hoping that some of those who have already been through the LPN process can give me some input. When I went back to school in 2008 I knew I wanted to go for nursing. I had my sights set on the LPN program at my local community college I was attending. However I wanted more, that ASN was waving in my face and I felt like I had to get it. So I changed from there on out I took classes for my ASN. The problem is 2 years later I'm still doing it, Im retaking and retaking because so few are accepted and Im not one of them. Im starting to get discouraged, rethinking the reasons I even went back to school. I've known I always wanted to be a nurse from a very young age, I never steered clear of that.

I originally started at 19 taking classes to get there some day. Once I became pregnant, I couldnt continue my education. Oh and trust me I kicked my butt every single day! But at that time I knew I had to be an adult and take care of this new life I was bringing into the world. Well 2 kids and a divorce later I decided I was going to go ahead and do it, I was so scared I was making the wrong decision but just jumped in and LOVED every minute of it. I love school, its who I am. I love studying and thinking that it might eventually happen. That one day I may be that angel at someones bedside at just the right moment, those comforting eyes that they needed to see. The reassuring hand.

But here I am, I thought for sure I would be in nursing school by now but yet all I do is retake things an to no avail cant seem to get in that lucky applicant pool. I'm a single mom with 2 kids ages 6 and nearly 4, I've got a mortgage and a job and so far I've kept it all together. Well, I've lost alot of "friends" because I gave up that time in my life for this, I've missed out on alot of opportunities to date again to dedicate to school. And here I am 48 credit hours later with a 3.2 GPA. I've got roughly another year to focus on school. Obviously I can't get my ASN in that time, but maybe i should just go for that LPN. Maybe thats where I am meant to start.

There's a school here called Medtech college. They've got the LPN program about a year in length and its open and waiting for me to go. Do I go? I worry because its sort of gotten a stigma to it, being a new school here in town its in the process of becoming nationally accredited and thats what steers people clear of it. That and its privately owned so its pricey. I feel like I just need to do it, that if I dont do it now, then it wont happen. And my dream of becoming a nurse is squashed forever. I can't let that happen can I? I wont! I'm an extremely dedicated person, I give it my all but for some reason with the small applicant pool its just not good enough. God, thats so disheartening. I know I can make this program work for me. I don't believe in failure so thats not an option.

I'm so confused, I dont know if I should listen to others and just try to keep bettering my scores i already have and eventually become that nurse. Or if I should just go for this LPN program and make it a reality rather than a dream. Any advice would be great.

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Specializes in Home Care.

If you ultimately want to be an RN then I suggest you stop thinking about LPN.

You have to consider the economy which right now stinks and things aren't expected to get much better for a few years. You have a full-time job now; what if you get your LPN license and then can't find a job. What if being an LPN doesn't pay as well as your current job...you'd have wasted your time and money on LPN school and not be able to pay your bills.

Its never too late to go to school. I waited til my kids were grown and I could afford to go to school. I went the LPN route out of frustration at not getting accepted right away into RN. If I'd been patient I would have been an RN now and wouldn't have the extra student loan debt.

I'm starting the RN transition program in August.

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I have always wanted to be an RN. I started right after high school taking courses...long story short, things happened and I had to drop out. A few years later I met my husband (then boyfriend) and he encouraged, pushed and insisted I go back to school. I did and again..long story short, things happened I had to stop going. Flash forward a few yrs later, we were married, I had the "school bug" again and started taking my courses all over. Most of my credits were beyond the point age wise of being usable. Found out I was pregnant..and gain had to stop since I was a high risk preg and was on a modified type bed rest.

When my youngest entered kindergarten, I decided, and went to LPN school. My plan was, finish LPN school, do the LPN to RN bridge and cut out a year or so of school. I did graduate LPN school, became licensed and got a job. The enconomy tanked, I have a child entering college this year and had to worry about getting all the student loans, grants etc for her and put my education on hold. And here I am again, registering to take some pre-reqs to satisfy the needed courses for the RN program.

Now, with that long winded short story of what happened to me..I say with YOU and you having 48 credits you aren't too far from a degree! Don't waste those credits, the time you put toward them and your effort. USE THEM..and keep going! Certain classes have a time limit you can use them..don't waste them.

Don't get discouraged. Keep applying to the RN programs.

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

I completed a very expensive LVN/LPN program at a private trade school in late 2005 and have been earning decent money ever since. The money and flexible hours that arose out of being an LVN/LVN had enabled me to return to school to earn my RN license. I am now a new RN, but I attribute most of what I know about nursing to my 4.5 years of working as an LVN/LPN.

Please research the local job market for LPNs in your area before you make this decision, as we cannot decide for you. Good luck!

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I'm hoping that some of those who have already been through the LPN process can give me some input. When I went back to school in 2008 I knew I wanted to go for nursing. I had my sights set on the LPN program at my local community college I was attending. However I wanted more, that ASN was waving in my face and I felt like I had to get it. So I changed from there on out I took classes for my ASN. The problem is 2 years later I'm still doing it, Im retaking and retaking because so few are accepted and Im not one of them. Im starting to get discouraged, rethinking the reasons I even went back to school. I've known I always wanted to be a nurse from a very young age, I never steered clear of that.

I originally started at 19 taking classes to get there some day. Once I became pregnant, I couldnt continue my education. Oh and trust me I kicked my butt every single day! But at that time I knew I had to be an adult and take care of this new life I was bringing into the world. Well 2 kids and a divorce later I decided I was going to go ahead and do it, I was so scared I was making the wrong decision but just jumped in and LOVED every minute of it. I love school, its who I am. I love studying and thinking that it might eventually happen. That one day I may be that angel at someones bedside at just the right moment, those comforting eyes that they needed to see. The reassuring hand.

But here I am, I thought for sure I would be in nursing school by now but yet all I do is retake things an to no avail cant seem to get in that lucky applicant pool. I'm a single mom with 2 kids ages 6 and nearly 4, I've got a mortgage and a job and so far I've kept it all together. Well, I've lost alot of "friends" because I gave up that time in my life for this, I've missed out on alot of opportunities to date again to dedicate to school. And here I am 48 credit hours later with a 3.2 GPA. I've got roughly another year to focus on school. Obviously I can't get my ASN in that time, but maybe i should just go for that LPN. Maybe thats where I am meant to start.

There's a school here called Medtech college. They've got the LPN program about a year in length and its open and waiting for me to go. Do I go? I worry because its sort of gotten a stigma to it, being a new school here in town its in the process of becoming nationally accredited and thats what steers people clear of it. That and its privately owned so its pricey. I feel like I just need to do it, that if I dont do it now, then it wont happen. And my dream of becoming a nurse is squashed forever. I can't let that happen can I? I wont! I'm an extremely dedicated person, I give it my all but for some reason with the small applicant pool its just not good enough. God, thats so disheartening. I know I can make this program work for me. I don't believe in failure so thats not an option.

I'm so confused, I dont know if I should listen to others and just try to keep bettering my scores i already have and eventually become that nurse. Or if I should just go for this LPN program and make it a reality rather than a dream. Any advice would be great.

Sorry to hear that you have had such a challenge getting into an RN program. I think the first thing to think of is if you would be satisfied being an LPN after such a struggle to obtain an RN degree. Then, look at the LPN opportunities available in your area. Looking at a newspaper, for one, ask other LPNs where the jobs are, etc...I mean, if you wanted to be an RN to begin with, and then even after obtaining the less desired position for a boatload of money, AND there are no LPN positions, you'd probably be even more frustrated.

I'd be more concerned about the price of the school and the fact that they are not yet accredited at this moment. You might also want to see if there are any LPN-RN bridge programs in your area. I think that a disadvantage of attending a school that is not accredited is that the credits may not be transferable. So, if there is a chance that you would obtain employment in your area upon obtaining your license and there is the chance that you can enter into an LPN to RN bridge program (if they accept your school's credits), I would probably proceed with the LPN program.

It may also be that obtaining a license in nursing on any level would be satisfying to you. Only you would know that. I'd at least see if first, if there are any LPN to RN bridge programs available, then, see if they would take credits from a non-accredited, new school and if there are any positions available for LPNs. Those alone would be my deciding factor, because you want the option to transfer if it is available.

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Specializes in MR/DD.

I was in a similar situation than you are a few years ago.. i finally bit the bullet and did the one year LPN program... I am working and our income is significantly higher.

There was no wait to get into LPN school.

I found a college that has an LPN to RN bridge program that I can do and work at the same time.. I begin in the fall.

I am going to graduate about 2 years sooner than I would have.. had i stayed at my original school and went straight for RN.

I do not understand why so many people are against LPN's.. The way I look at it .. and so do a LOT of schools.. LPN school is the first year of RN school .. just do some research and make sure you have a plan before beginning anything.. make sure that the credits from you LPN program will transfer to an RN program.

by the way I LOVE being an LPN and I am proud!! I am very happy that I chose this route because I am getting experience and a decent salary .. while I am still able to work towards my RN... :)

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