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
Having a prior bachelors degree in a non-nursing major, it was more cost effective to do an Accelerated BSN. Also, not much of a job market where I am from to be an LPN.
I did the LPN program because I couldn't commit to a full-time two year ASN program (plus all the time to get pre-reqs) as a working adult with bills to pay. In the end, it was a spectacular payoff. By working as an LPN while I did pre-reqs, I could afford to take a couple extra semesters to do honors classes, special projects, volunteering, and leadership roles. That LPN degree gave me an edge over fellow students when it came to scholarships, life experience, demonstrating I had overcome personal challenges, etc, and a few weeks ago I was awarded a 40k/year scholarship to complete my BSN, as well as 250k for grad school.
So yeah, the LPN route may take a little longer, but it can pay off exponentially if you want to fund the rest of your education.
I'm doing the LPN program first because, I can work after I pass the NCLEX. In doing so, I will continue my education by bridging LPN-RN while making a decent income for my family.
I am contemplating this to back and forth. I right now make the average hourly wage of an LPN in my state, $22-$25 an hour. The LPN program has no wait list completes most of your prerequisites for the ADN program's in the state. Plus side is you are allowed to take your license to different area's of the U.S. because you are a nurse. It is depressing researching the growth and market of the job. I have only looked in my state and not sure how it elsewhere, but I don't feel like moving to the Plains or Western Seaboard, ha. Most jobs found was per diem work on weekends for VANs.
As one reader mentioned with an LPN your a nurse can go into a Bachelor program skip the associate work during school as a nurse. I do the accelerated program, but knowing me be an epic fail. Have until November to decide my route do CNA to ADN/BSN or CNA to LPN to ADN/BSN. Since I already have my degree take probably 2 year's for the BSN program and extra year doesn't sound bad with job possibilities.
I also went the LPN route after applying to numerous RN programs just to be put on their waiting list. It took me a total of 12 months to complete the PN program and I took the NCLEX 30 days later. After having my son 1 month after taking my boards and landing a job at an MH/MR facility, I enrolled back into the LPN-RN bridge program at the school I went to complete my PN. It only took 9 months to complete and I took the NCLEX 60 days later. Now I am currently enrolled in a BSN program after only being an RN for 2 short months and hope to be finished by December which then I will make the decisionon whether or not to pursue a masters degree. It took me a total of 3 years to complete all of this all while raising 2 small children as a single parent. The only choice that I would have changed would have been to went to a 4 year college to experience the "college" life but I had my first child at 19 so I had to go into mommy mode and do what was best (which I have mastered excellently if I do say so myself :). Whatever route you choose just make sure you're doing it because you want to not because other people want you too. Good luck! :)
I can't see myself doing 2 straight years.I have no children or any thing but being in school 2 straight years would drive me insane, I need lil breaks thats y I chose lpn route first because after u receive your lpn everyrhing else is a year on out so I say depends on the type of person you are & what you can handle personally & whats best for you.! Lpn lays a good foundation, gets your feet wet and is a confirmation on weather this field is or isn't for you.and you can work and gain skills while your going back for your RN
Specializes in Emergency, Case Management, Informatics.
I can't see myself doing 2 straight years . . . gets your feet wet and is a confirmation on weather this field is or isn't for you.and you can work and gain skills while your going back for your RN
Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
I can't see myself doing 2 straight years.I have no children or any thing but being in school 2 straight years would drive me insane, I need lil breaks thats y I chose lpn route first because after u receive your lpn everyrhing else is a year on out so I say depends on the type of person you are & what you can handle personally & whats best for you.! Lpn lays a good foundation, gets your feet wet and is a confirmation on weather this field is or isn't for you.and you can work and gain skills while your going back for your RN
I didn't have kids when I had my LVN & I thought "Oh I'll just bridge right after!". But life is funny that way & now I have a 1 year old. And wouldn't clinicals be a confirmation as to whether you liked nursing or not, at least at the bare minimum?
PacoUSA, BSN, RN
3,450 Posts
Having a prior bachelors degree in a non-nursing major, it was more cost effective to do an Accelerated BSN. Also, not much of a job market where I am from to be an LPN.