Why in the world would you go lvn route???!!!??!

Jen_Loves_Nursing · Nov 29, 2014

I want to address the two bolded statements. First, like your LPN to RN program, mine cut out the first year of NURSING courses. However, I was still required to complete the pre-reqs for the RN program as well as the first year non-nursing courses. In my program if you had no transferrable college credits toward the pre-reqs as well as the 1st year non-nursing courses, you still had to complete them. The pre-reqs had to be completed before you began the nursing courses. While it did shave off several of the nursing classes we still had a year (or more depending on how many classes you could handle at once) or better before you could begin the RN program.
As for the 'new grad' status..you will still be considered a 'new grad RN'. Some hospitals will consider LPN/LVN experience and see you as a new grad RN with LPN experience, while others still see you as a new grad with no experience as they are coming from the position of looking at you as an RN with no experience as an RN. I had 5 years LPN experience and it took a very long time to land an acute hospital position.
I went the LPN to RN route because while more expensive (I did a for-profit LPN school) it was much quicker for me to get to my ultimate goal of RN. Trying to get into an RN program in my area can take years. Very few people are selected for each school and if you don't get in one year, you start all over again trying to get in the 2nd time. I have friends who were trying to get into RN school. I was able to complete both LPN and RN school before they ever got into RN school or they were in the RN program with a year or better left to go. It was easier to get into the 2nd year of a 2 year RN program (more seats available due to people dropping out or failing out the first year) than it was to get into an RN program.

I do have my pre reqs done for an RN program. I do not want to take fluff class or just wait, and I need an income so lvn is for me.

Jen_Loves_Nursing · Nov 29, 2014

I'm going LPN first, starting in January, for many good reasons.
Tell your husband to have faith in you, trust you, and to STOP bringing home the negativity. Why would he constantly chip away at you like that? My own husband would have gotten a big loud KNOCK IT OFF a while ago! Just because he hears it doesn't mean he needs to pass it on to you. Tell him to tell people that you know what you're doing and it's not open for discussion.
I'm a 39 year old CNA with no prereqs completed (and I don't need any for the program I'm starting). I came to this career after earning a BA in my early 20s, then getting married and being a SAHM. LPN is the quickest, easiest, cheapest way for me to start working as a nurse and earn a higher paycheck while working my way up than if I stayed a CNA while doing prereqs and waiting out the 2 to 3 year waiting list for RN programs. My employer gives tuition assistance and hires LPNs, so this path makes sense for me. Naysayers can take a hike.
Good luck!

Oh he did get a firm KNOCK IT THAT FLIP OFF! Not sure why he's feeling the need to tell me everyday.

ashsoontobeRN · Nov 29, 2014

I am not planning on staying an LVN, this is just the route I am taking, there are many roads to the top of the mountain. The hours are great and when I'm finished I will advance place into a RN program.... cutting off the first year of RN school... so why is this such a big deal to people? I KNOW job security in nursing is with a degree.... I KNOW LVN are slowly being phased out... (i also know my area still hire them)

I also know when i graduate RN school Ill have a year or more working under my belt and will not be a "new grad with no experience", SO ill get that great job i really want!!

I choose this route because when I was younger I made horrible decisions, and at the time in HS I'd rather have been popular & best dressed while school was secondary, college I had my son and been working crap jobs since, so getting into a traditional BSN would have been a while to get into, but also personally I'd like to work as a LPN while I earn my RN so my son and I can live comfortably.

Nienna Celebrindal · Nov 30, 2014

I hate to burst your bubble but I got my LVN in Socal and it only helped me get into nursing school because my school did a pilot LVN to BSN but they won't do another class. I waited several years to get into an RN program once I went back.

It also did not help me get a job. I was a Navy Corpsman and LVN with 12 years experience including med/surg, ortho and ER.

The socal job market is unbelievably SATURATED with new grad RNs.

I don't share this to frustrate you but you should be doing this with your eyes wide open but it sounds like you are looking at it idealistically. I don't think LVN is a terrible route but a lot of the things you talk about are not realistic in my experience or the LVNs I know.

It's a great job to have while in school, the hours are good and the pay isn't bad. It can help in nursing school. It can help you figure out what you like and don't like.

Having an LVN is more helpful in other parts of the country but you need to plan for the market you are in. Unless you plan to move.

gearedup · Dec 2, 2014

It really is dependent on where you live. I live in a rural area, and I was far better off going the LVN route first. I know many new RNs that are driving from 50-80 miles to work in order to reach a level of pay that is worth it versus what an LPN makes. I too plan on adding a second bs (in nursing) in due time. We all follow different paths for different reasons. I'm choosing to work closer to home, with pay just a few dollars shy of what local rn's are making. I also have all but 1 pre-req finished, and I enjoy attaining my goals my way. If the results aren't satisfactory, I have no one to blame but myself :yes:

mh0712, MSN, RN · Dec 2, 2014

Nothing wrong with becoming an LVN/LPN. Many were CNAs before or even UAP (Unlicensed Assistive Personnel). You mentioned that it is not the top of the mountain for you, and that is your choice. I have worked with some excellent LVNs in my time and look up to many of them. I am in a DNP program now and was never an LVN, but you can learn from anyone no matter what position they are in. Also, many LVN students are better prepared clinically than some RN and BSN students. Do not let anyone discourage you, do your best and you will be fine!

mmlpn · Dec 2, 2014

I was also and LPN before I finished my ADN and BSN. I was a CNA and EMT prior to that... Became a CNA to pay for EMT. EMT to pay for LPN, LPN to pay for ADN, and ADN to pay for BSN.... Why not make more money to fund your future goal?

Jen_Loves_Nursing · Dec 2, 2014

Nothing wrong with becoming an LVN/LPN. Many were CNAs before or even UAP (Unlicensed Assistive Personnel). You mentioned that it is not the top of the mountain for you, and that is your choice. I have worked with some excellent LVNs in my time and look up to many of them. I am in a DNP program now and was never an LVN, but you can learn from anyone no matter what position they are in. Also, many LVN students are better prepared clinically than some RN and BSN students. Do not let anyone discourage you, do your best and you will be fine!

Thank you! !!

Jen_Loves_Nursing · Dec 2, 2014

I was also and LPN before I finished my ADN and BSN. I was a CNA and EMT prior to that... Became a CNA to pay for EMT. EMT to pay for LPN, LPN to pay for ADN, and ADN to pay for BSN.... Why not make more money to fund your future goal?

This is exactly what I've done/am doing! I'm working a a CNA to pay for LVN and LVN to pay for ADN... and so on!

Thank you!

Jen_Loves_Nursing · Dec 2, 2014

I'm going LPN first, starting in January, for many good reasons.
Tell your husband to have faith in you, trust you, and to STOP bringing home the negativity. Why would he constantly chip away at you like that? My own husband would have gotten a big loud KNOCK IT OFF a while ago! Just because he hears it doesn't mean he needs to pass it on to you. Tell him to tell people that you know what you're doing and it's not open for discussion.
I'm a 39 year old CNA with no prereqs completed (and I don't need any for the program I'm starting). I came to this career after earning a BA in my early 20s, then getting married and being a SAHM. LPN is the quickest, easiest, cheapest way for me to start working as a nurse and earn a higher paycheck while working my way up than if I stayed a CNA while doing prereqs and waiting out the 2 to 3 year waiting list for RN programs. My employer gives tuition assistance and hires LPNs, so this path makes sense for me. Naysayers can take a hike.
Good luck!

I agree! Thank you! Alos, with you having a BS elsewhere.. most schook will exempt you from generals. . AND Use alot of your pre reqs! Good luck to you too!!!

marie4nursing · Dec 2, 2014

Im choosing to be a LPN (LVN) first because I want to be a nurse sooner and earn money while pursuing the RN. Here in Georgia, they have some LPN-to-RN bridge programs that are hybird: classroom work done online and the hands-on done in person. You don't have that flexability when you are pursuing the ASN or BSN.

If the program for ASN wasn't so competitive, I would of went for RN. But LPN or LVN is good enough for me. My husband supports me in it 100%.

CNAAJ · Dec 3, 2014

I feel your pain which is why i have not shared the information with my manager yet that I will be going to LPN school I know she will be disappointed that im not going straight for RN but the LPN route makes more sense for me im only 21 but 1 I no longer want to be a CNA im ready to advance and 2 id much rather be accomplishing something within the next year than sitting on a waiting list at some college with no guarantee of getting selected. Like you said having a year or more of school under my belt will probably offer me more chances for advancement and it will help me a lot with the transition into RN school in combination with the many helpful RN's that i know.