So this questions is for my future/current LPN and RNs are more than welcome to help with my questions.
I'm currently going to a community college in Virginia to receive my A.A.S and will transfer to a four-year college to receive my BSN. I've been going to the community college part time for almost 2 years. In the fall I'll be going to school full-time and I'll be finished with the A.A.S by fall 2016. Honestly, I feel like LPN is the quicker way to get me into the work force and I was actually interested in it back in high school but I heard from everyone that going to school for Nursing is the better way due to financial reasons and its time saving as well.
MY question is, if you're a current or future LPN, are you satisfied with your decision of starting as LPN? Would you have rather went straight into nursing? Are you going to get your BSN or ASN in the future? I only know one nurse and I hate to bombard her with questions LOL Not only that but I need plenty of advice! It's easy to get advice from my advisors at school but I need help from the professionals
I don't recommend going to LPN. The reason being is that LPN's have a different way of thinking than registered nurses. For instance, they "gather data" and nurses assess. I feel you would end up struggling in school for RN because you had been taught heavily for LPN.
I don't recommend going to LPN. The reason being is that LPN's have a different way of thinking than registered nurses. For instance, they "gather data" and nurses assess. I feel you would end up struggling in school for RN because you had been taught heavily for LPN.
Oh please. Tell that to all the LPNs bridging into 3rd block advanced placement and becoming RNs in 2 semesters.
Specializes in Maternal Child, Home Health, Med/Surg.
Honestly it really depends on your goals. As of late I'm actually content with my decision to become an LVN first because it'll expedite my ability to bridge to an RN. Normal route takes 5-6 years with most of that being on waiting lists. Whereas if you spend the year to become an LVN, complete the pre reqs for the RN, you get direct entry and skip fundamentals and pharmacology. I say win, in that aspect.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Do you mean your community college has an LPN program? I only ask because I would wonder how much extra-time it would take, if any to finish an LPN program vs just transferring to the BSN program you mentioned.
In any case, if the plan you are now having questions about would not have you into the workforce until 2018 becoming an LPN first sounds like a good idea, but these days there is a real urgency in most areas for new nurses (and old nurses) to get a BSN so you'll be in the top tier of candidates when you are job-seeking and have more specialty options.
Each area of the country is different, but generally it's much more difficult for LPNs and ADNs to get hired than it used to be. All the best to you!
I started off going for my ADN, then finished my BSN and will be starting am NP program in the Fall.
I see nothing wrong with either choice! We had the option in my ADN program of taking LPN boards after the first 3 clinical semesters. Several students went this route, so they could get into the workforce and get their foot in the door while finishing out their ADN. I was very fortunate and already had a work schedule that worked for me, so I stuck with it. I also didn't PERSONALLY feel I could justify paying the money for LPN boards, when I would graduate with an ADN in 2 semesters, and take boards all over again. Not only that, but in my area particularly, it is SO hard for LPNs to find a job. I've heard it's becoming more the case elsewhere too. So that made paying the extra money even more of a bad idea to me.
Either way is fine! Do the program's you're looking at/in give you the open of testing for LPN at a certain time?
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I worked as an LVN for about four years prior to becoming an RN. At the time it was the most optimal decision I could have made. I was able to work full time as an LVN while attending an LPN-to-ASN bridge program, which is one reason I have no student loan debt today.
Not everyone is able to pursue the straight-line path into nursing (zero to BSN). Some of us had to take the stairstep path (CNA to LVN to ASN to BSN, or some variation). The end result is similar, so please do not knock us. Thanks!
I don't recommend going to LPN. The reason being is that LPN's have a different way of thinking than registered nurses. For instance, they "gather data" and nurses assess. I feel you would end up struggling in school for RN because you had been taught heavily for LPN.
The ADN program I started with, all students started together. The only difference was, those who wanted to continue pursuing their ADN kept on for 2 more semesters. Up to that 3rd clinical semester point, we all learned the same things, and thought the same ways. Those who chose to stop education there just did not get the last two clinical semesters...which included a high risk OB, critical peds, and management. We all got the same basics and emphasis on assessment. What you're saying is what the theoretical "books" say, but isn't true in actual practice. Plenty of LPNs have great critical thinking/assessment skills. I believe you can't really be a nurse(nurse, period, regardless of type of degree) without some sort of assessing and implementing on your findings. And really...I feel like an assessment IS gathering data.
I started as an LPN back in 2011 and have since bridged to RN. During my time as an LPN, I worked skilled rehab and in an LTAC and learned a tremendous amount during those two years as an LPN. I worked on PCU and now in CCU and can honestly say that my personal LPN experience has made the transition way more smooth than it would have been without that foundation. My advice would be to work in a skilled rehab or LTAC. Yes, it's a lot of work, but the experience you will gain is priceless. Plus, you'll have a good income while you're in school. Best of luck to you!
Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.
I spent 4 years as an LPN before getting my RN. If I had to do it all over again, I'd go straight to RN. This is not an issue of one being better than the other at any particular skill. It's an issue of lost opportunities and being exploited as an LPN. I've worked a few jobs as an LPN where the RN's and LPN's had exactly the same functions, but the RN's were paid $10/hr more. The RN's were only there for contractual or regulatory reasons.
Having said that, not everyone can afford to go straight into RN school. Many people have obligations that require them to get into and finish a program as quickly as possible, and going the LPN route is okay for this. But, if you can afford the extra time and expense, going straight through to the RN is the best option.
For those recommending that one go to LPN school to test the waters and/or to have a job while finishing RN school, that's insane. A year straight of 40 hours/week in class/clinical plus homework, with only a few weeks' worth of breaks spaced out over that year isn't exactly a good plan if you're just testing the waters.
If you know that you want to be an RN in the end, I would advise just getting the RN. From what I experienced, I spent a lot of time in LPN school only to skip fundamentals in a bridge program. As LPNs we learn a lot of the pre-requisite course work for the RN on a lower level and then have to take it again at a college level prior to entering the program. We have to re-take pharmacology in all the schools that I have looked into before chosing one, and all the time that you spent on nursing theory (except for fundamentals) will be re-approached again, adding some additional RN responsibilities. Plus, life has a tendency to happen and if you get your LPN, start working in the field, and hit a road block (family, financial, career obligations, etc) then you may not go on and finish the RN or you may find yourself finishing it much later than originally anticipated. Whatever path you chose, good luck.
missycrowell
82 Posts
ummmm LPNs assess too!!!!