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
If the school you are attending/planning to attend doesn't require an LPN before RN, I would suggest going straight to getting your RN. I'm a little confused though on what you are doing right now? You said you are at community college now and would finish your AAS in Fall 2016, AAS in what? If you aren't pursuing nursing at your community college, are you at least doing your nursing pre-reqs? If no, why not? If you want get your BSN from a 4-year University, why don't you just apply to the University, start your pre-reqs, and get ready to apply to the nursing program? I'm a BSN student at a 4 year state university and I finished my pre-reqs in a year and a half going full time. I can't speak on all schools but I know majority of the schools in my home state of Minnesota have pretty specific pre-reqs you need to take like A&P I&II, Microbiology, Chemistry, and Ethics. If you aren't/haven't taken these it might be worth thinking about doing that now. Good luck to you!
It depends what you want to do. I didn't go to LPN school but my RN program offered a summer LPN class. the LPN program was fall and spring semester taking nursing 1 and 2 (the same curriculum as the RN students) but they did not get the summer off. they went straight through summer with clinicals and lecture and by the end of the summer if they passed they were eligible to sit for the NCLEX PN. I did not go this route for a multitude of reasons, a few being that it wasn't fully covered by financial aid, I was taking other summer classes to lighten my course load for the next semester, and I REALLY needed a break lol. I never saw it as a worthwhile endeavor for me personally (not to hate on the LPN's out there!) but my final goal was to be an RN and going to LPN school was extra money that I didn't have for classes and the NCLEX PN for a license that I would only hold for a year and probably not use. Not to mention, all the LPN students who continued into nursing 3 for their RN had to sit for their NCLEX PN during the semester, and at my school nursing 3 was the hardest, so that was an added stress on them. I just chose to forego the LPN program and just finish out the next 2 semesters and go for my RN. A lot of students that were in the LPN program at my school didn't even use the license they earned. I know 1 person that failed and 1 that dropped out for personal reasons in the 3rd semester but they had their LPN license to fall back on so it worked out for them(I'm NOT saying that being an LPN should be a "backup plan". LPNs are necessary and respected members of the health care team). the girl that failed is working in a LTC facility while going back to finish the RN program, and the one that dropped out is working as an LPN, but I don't think they are going back for their RN anytime soon.
One huge advantage the LPN students had was that a majority of the material that they learned over the summer (including lab skills) was covered in nursing 3 in the fall so they had a huge advantage over the students that didn't do the LPN program. They still had to redo the lab skills evaluations in nursing 3 though even though they passed over the summer which was unfortunate, but they still had an edge.
like I said, it depends on your long term goals.
If you know for sure you want to be an RN then I would just go straight through and skip the LPN.
If you are not sure that nursing is for you or you foresee any issues that may prevent you from completing an RN program, then I'd go for the LPN, get licensed, and get a job and see how you like it and go from there.
Well me personally. I have a 1 year old and STNA just wont cut it. Which is why I pursued LPN with people in my area starting off around 26.50. Most graduates from my school are getting that much or higher an hour. It just enables me to be able to live a more comfortable life while pursuing a long term degree. I say if you can afford to go straight for it. 2 girls that I graduated from high with are both in 4 Year BSN programs and they graduate next year with a Bachelors. I graduate a lot sooner in a December and Ill be thankful to have my Diploma but man just a few extra months for a Bachelors would have been fantastic. But Ill be going right back in, like I said it just depends on your situation.
I agree with everyones point of view from previous posts, I will just add my personal experience. I did not have the option to go straight in to a BSN program due to the fact that in my area, these were all "full time" day programs, as I still had every day adult bills that needed to be paid. But looking back, if I had the option of going straight to BSN, I would skip the whole LPN route in a heartbeat...but Money talks now a days.
RN! Nothing against lpns I was one before. But I was only given one semester credit when i bridged over, and they took none of my prerequisites I completed in LPN school. Don't waste your time or money.
Well me personally. I have a 1 year old and STNA just wont cut it. Which is why I pursued LPN with people in my area starting off around 26.50. Most graduates from my school are getting that much or higher an hour. It just enables me to be able to live a more comfortable life while pursuing a long term degree. I say if you can afford to go straight for it. 2 girls that I graduated from high with are both in 4 Year BSN programs and they graduate next year with a Bachelors. I graduate a lot sooner in a December and Ill be thankful to have my Diploma but man just a few extra months for a Bachelors would have been fantastic. But Ill be going right back in, like I said it just depends on your situation.
What area do u work in? I live near Fresno CA and lvns start pay is near 12-15 start =/
I am currently a LVN in Southern California and am in the process of finishing my pre. reqs to get into a LVN-RN Ladder program. I started off in the HC field as a CNA and after going back to school to become an LVN, I wouldn't have done it any other way. Being an LVN is rewarding and it'll help you decide and give you an inside on how it is to be a nurse and who knows you may not even want to continue on. Another plus side about doing a step up program is that the wait lists are not so competitive. I'm not really sure how wait lists are in Virginia but here getting in is almost close to impossible because of their point scale systems.
I think it depends on your situation. I became an LPN, due to the fact that I was divorced and a single MOM with no help. It was the quicker way to go. I was able to make some decent money and even buy
my house on my income. I have been an LPN for many years now and I make more money then some
RN's. If I had to do it all over, I would probably of continued on my journey. But then again, depends on your situation. I still had a house payment and was still a single MOM!!! Good Luck on your journey!!
I recommend that you pray and ask God to lead you in the path that he has for you. I began a BSN program earlier this year and had to withdraw because my finances were not aligned to pay tuition and to take care of my bills responsibly. I would have to wait to apply to another less expensive program like (ADN/ASN) for jan 2016. However, I am applying to a PN program and in high hopes that I will get accepted for the fall 2015 start. It's not about where you begin its where you are headed. I know a few FNPs who started off as LPNs and bridged over. Keep the faith and be confident in whichever path you choose to begin as a NURSE. Remember, everyone's experience will differ and we are all unique. What didn't work for someone else may work for you and vice versa. Good luck
What area do u work in? I live near Fresno CA and lvns start pay is near 12-15 start =/
I am never moving to Fresno, CA. From what I hear, CA has a very high cost of living compared to other states. My state doesn't have state taxes and the last time I saw a wage that low was at a hospital 15 years ago.
MinneNurse, BSN, RN
104 Posts
If the school you are attending/planning to attend doesn't require an LPN before RN, I would suggest going straight to getting your RN. I'm a little confused though on what you are doing right now? You said you are at community college now and would finish your AAS in Fall 2016, AAS in what? If you aren't pursuing nursing at your community college, are you at least doing your nursing pre-reqs? If no, why not? If you want get your BSN from a 4-year University, why don't you just apply to the University, start your pre-reqs, and get ready to apply to the nursing program? I'm a BSN student at a 4 year state university and I finished my pre-reqs in a year and a half going full time. I can't speak on all schools but I know majority of the schools in my home state of Minnesota have pretty specific pre-reqs you need to take like A&P I&II, Microbiology, Chemistry, and Ethics. If you aren't/haven't taken these it might be worth thinking about doing that now. Good luck to you!