Which road to take? LPN or RN?

Blackcat99 · Mar 15, 2005

Go for your RN. I have been an LPN for many years. With your RN you will have much better job opportunities. Good luck :)

Sierralee · Mar 15, 2005

Hi, I'm a freshman at a local college in Colorado Springs going for my nursing degree. I've been working on getting my pre-reqs out of the way so I can get on the waiting list for nursing school. Right now I'm in A&P 1 and not doing so hot! Originally I planned on becoming a RN, but since this class I've started to look at all my options. I've struggled with the Biology classes, but this one is killing me!
Right now I'm leaning towards LPN - what's your view on that? I'm afraid I'm going to fail or not pass with a C in my A&P class. I've been advised that if I feel that way that I should withdraw. If I do withdraw I'm thinking about taking the basic A&P class which is required for the LPN program. Once I have that class done I would be put on the list. Since there is a waiting list and since I have to be a full time student - for insurance, I would then fill my time up with getting CNA certified and also would retake the A&P classes. Would taking that basic Anatomy help me in taking A&P the second time? I'm not sure if this is the right thing to do. It seems somewhat logical to me, except I know LPN's are not hired as much as an RN - in hospitals especially, which is what I want to work in. During my senior year of high school last year, I participated in a program at Memorial Hospital called Learning Link. From that experience I discovered a true passion for working in the neonatal unit. While doing a rotation I talked to a nurse who told me about the CNA program and how if I got certified and then went to work at Memorial they would guarantee me a job out of nursing school. With that in mind - if I did pursue the LPN program and after becoming a CNA, would I still have that job at Memorial? I do also understand that LPN's are a step under RN's so they can't be in charge like an RN would, but honestly I'm not concerned about that. I just want to be able to give the bedside care and procedures in a hospital. Please give me any advise! Thank

Bit the bullet and go for the RN. I just finished LPN and the job search is not going well. If you are young put the time in now, you will really appreciated in your future. I know you are thinking about what happening now, but don't forget to think about your future. Life can throw some mean curve balls to you in the future, protect yourself. I not going on, because I am 48, mother and wife and I am tired of schooling and studying. JUST DO IT!!! It will all work out in the end. I wish I would have done all of this right out of high school. Good Luck

Tweety, BSN, RN · Mar 15, 2005

Dito the advice to go for the RN. Good luck in whatever you do! :)

FocusRN · Mar 15, 2005

This is not directed to the op or anything, but I am getting really tired of this question. It is just in my opinion more fuel for the LPN vs. RN fire.

No one can tell you what to do, and you can't base your decisions on what others may do. If you ultimate goal is to become and RN (as is mine), well fine. Now that you have your long term goal set, make some short term ones. Now either you, keep on taking courses, toward your RN, and wait until you get accepted, go for your LPN instead, or just take a break from school.

Evaluate you situation, be your own career therapist. I personally want to be an RN, but I need a job with stability, flexibilty, and money to pay the bills asap. So I don't have time to struggle through school, for 3 or 4 years to become a nurse. I would rather struggle for a year and a half, get a job that won't have me in debt struggling to make ends meet. So I am going for LPN first. Right fter I graduate I will continue my education, I will either do it though distance learning, or I will find a school, that accepts LPN training for more than 1 or 2 courses. but while I am doing that, I will be living a modestly comfotable life, without worrying about when the lights and water will be cut off, and wondering when I will have the money to get then turned back on.

You on the other hand may be different, so I would advise you to make 2 lists, one for going straight to RN, and on for going to LPN first. Make them pro and con lists. To make it simple +1 point for each pro, and -1 point for each con. At the end do the math, and if you don't like the answer just sit back and look at your lists of pros and cons, and think about which decision you can stick with, without living to regret it at some point.

kbean04 · Mar 15, 2005

Bit the bullet and go for the RN. I just finished LPN and the job search is not going well. If you are young put the time in now, you will really appreciated in your future. I know you are thinking about what happening now, but don't forget to think about your future. Life can throw some mean curve balls to you in the future, protect yourself. I not going on, because I am 48, mother and wife and I am tired of schooling and studying. JUST DO IT!!! It will all work out in the end. I wish I would have done all of this right out of high school. Good Luck

So is it best for me to withdraw from the A&P class and retake it? My idea was to withdraw and take the basic Anatomy so I could at least be on a list(which would be LPN) for nursing school. While waiting I would retake A&P 1 and 2, so that as soon as I had that complete I would be able to "bridge" to RN. At my school they have a program for LPNs to bridge to RN. Also I would already be on a list and would not have to reapply. Thanks for the advise!

kbean04 · Mar 15, 2005

This is not directed to the op or anything, but I am getting really tired of this question. It is just in my opinion more fuel for the LPN vs. RN fire.
No one can tell you what to do, and you can't base your decisions on what others may do. If you ultimate goal is to become and RN (as is mine), well fine. Now that you have your long term goal set, make some short term ones. Now either you, keep on taking courses, toward your RN, and wait until you get accepted, go for your LPN instead, or just take a break from school.
Evaluate you situation, be your own career therapist. I personally want to be an RN, but I need a job with stability, flexibilty, and money to pay the bills asap. So I don't have time to struggle through school, for 3 or 4 years to become a nurse. I would rather struggle for a year and a half, get a job that won't have me in debt struggling to make ends meet. So I am going for LPN first. Right fter I graduate I will continue my education, I will either do it though distance learning, or I will find a school, that accepts LPN training for more than 1 or 2 courses. but while I am doing that, I will be living a modestly comfotable life, without worrying about when the lights and water will be cut off, and wondering when I will have the money to get then turned back on.
You on the other hand may be different, so I would advise you to make 2 lists, one for going straight to RN, and on for going to LPN first. Make them pro and con lists. To make it simple +1 point for each pro, and -1 point for each con. At the end do the math, and if you don't like the answer just sit back and look at your lists of pros and cons, and think about which decision you can stick with, without living to regret it at some point.

Sorry to repeat this question! I'm new to this site so I guess I didn't realize it was all over the place. I know no one can tell me what to do, but at times I wish they could. School has gotten very frustrating, however I still am very passionate about nursing and feel that is where I'm suposed to be. I think I just wanted some feedback about each area from those who are in both. Your idea to make a pro and con list is a great idea - I guess I really should just sit back and quit thinking about the now and concentrate on my future goals. :innerconf

Sierralee · Mar 16, 2005

Sorry to repeat this question! I'm new to this site so I guess I didn't realize it was all over the place. I know no one can tell me what to do, but at times I wish they could. School has gotten very frustrating, however I still am very passionate about nursing and feel that is where I'm suposed to be. I think I just wanted some feedback about each area from those who are in both. Your idea to make a pro and con list is a great idea - I guess I really should just sit back and quit thinking about the now and concentrate on my future goals. :innerconf

This is what the site is for! Sometimes you just have to hear others suggestions. No question is stupid (quote from my mother) The opinions you read from others is just that, but they do help. I am a LPN and thats as far as I am going. My brother and his wife are RN. We respect each other. My brother is going on, but not his wife. Everyone has a different road to travel or a plan in life. Take it all in. Follow your heart and you cannot go wrong. Good Luck. I sure you will make the right decision for you.

Sierralee · Mar 16, 2005

Bit the bullet and go for the RN. I just finished LPN and the job search is not going well. If you are young put the time in now, you will really appreciated in your future. I know you are thinking about what happening now, but don't forget to think about your future. Life can throw some mean curve balls to you in the future, protect yourself. I not going on, because I am 48, mother and wife and I am tired of schooling and studying. JUST DO IT!!! It will all work out in the end. I wish I would have done all of this right out of high school. Good Luck

That is great about the LPN school bridges to the RN program. Have you talk to them to see what they suggest about your A&P classes. I hate to see you take that 3 times.

Trauma Columnist · Mar 16, 2005

I did the LPN to ADN to BSN to MSN and if I had to do it over again, I would have gone straight to the BSN. That said, though, there are always things in your life that might force you down another pathway. I wish you the best with whatever road you choose. You are only limited by your imagination.

RRN · Mar 16, 2005

Hi, I'm a freshman at a local college in Colorado Springs going for my nursing degree. I've been working on getting my pre-reqs out of the way so I can get on the waiting list for nursing school. Right now I'm in A&P 1 and not doing so hot! Originally I planned on becoming a RN, but since this class I've started to look at all my options. I've struggled with the Biology classes, but this one is killing me!
Right now I'm leaning towards LPN - what's your view on that? I'm afraid I'm going to fail or not pass with a C in my A&P class. I've been advised that if I feel that way that I should withdraw. If I do withdraw I'm thinking about taking the basic A&P class which is required for the LPN program. Once I have that class done I would be put on the list. Since there is a waiting list and since I have to be a full time student - for insurance, I would then fill my time up with getting CNA certified and also would retake the A&P classes. Would taking that basic Anatomy help me in taking A&P the second time? I'm not sure if this is the right thing to do. It seems somewhat logical to me, except I know LPN's are not hired as much as an RN - in hospitals especially, which is what I want to work in. During my senior year of high school last year, I participated in a program at Memorial Hospital called Learning Link. From that experience I discovered a true passion for working in the neonatal unit. While doing a rotation I talked to a nurse who told me about the CNA program and how if I got certified and then went to work at Memorial they would guarantee me a job out of nursing school. With that in mind - if I did pursue the LPN program and after becoming a CNA, would I still have that job at Memorial? I do also understand that LPN's are a step under RN's so they can't be in charge like an RN would, but honestly I'm not concerned about that. I just want to be able to give the bedside care and procedures in a hospital. Please give me any advise! Thank

If you want to work in the Neonatal Unit I'd check to see if you could do that as an LPN. I am not telling you what to do. I'll tell you what I did.

I was an LPN for over 17 years. Many LPN's what to go back to school but like another poster here said ..Life throws you some curve balls,, Like 2 kids, a husband and then an ex husband and 2 kids to raise on your own. I started on my RN in 1968 and finished it in 1996. In the meantime I went to LPN school and worked for all those years. I didn't go back to RN school full time until my youngest had his driver's license.

My suggestion to you would be to get a tutor for A&P. Get someone who's taken the course to help you with it.. If you have to pay them so be it.

I think you will be happier with being an RN. JMHO.

FocusRN · Mar 17, 2005

Sorry to repeat this question! I'm new to this site so I guess I didn't realize it was all over the place. I know no one can tell me what to do, but at times I wish they could. School has gotten very frustrating, however I still am very passionate about nursing and feel that is where I'm suposed to be. I think I just wanted some feedback about each area from those who are in both. Your idea to make a pro and con list is a great idea - I guess I really should just sit back and quit thinking about the now and concentrate on my future goals. :innerconf

No need to apologize. As I said that wasn't directed at you. When you spend more time here and on other nursing forums, you'll see the beef between LPN, and RN, which is better, which one to go for ect. ect. I have seen it so much that it upsets me, because sometimes it just seems as if people think that LPNs are not part of the big picture, and that RN's are more important, their jobs are more important, and that they are more competent.

But anyway school is fustrating for me right now also, but we all find some way to deal, I think no matter which path you take, there is a long hard road ahead. Good luck!!!...