47 yr old nursing student, should I work as LPN before RN?

[tkw68]

Hello everyone,

I am a 47 year old nursing student, yes I know I've waited long enough, but I'm not giving up on my goals and dreams and have accomplished the LPN program so far. :) I am married and my children are grown, so I was able to leave my office job of many years, even though it's been a struggle, to attend the LPN program in my area. I graduated from the program in December 2014 and did not work during school. I do not know how I would have done if I had worked, it was hard enough after all these years. I took a full load of prerequisites in the spring for the RN program that I will be attending in the fall, and during that time received my LPN license, but did not work. Now it is summer and I'm concerned that I may need to get some nursing experience before going into the RN program, however, when August comes, I would have to either quit work or work very little hours because I want to do well in school, and that's important to me.

Does anyone have suggestions on what would be best for me to do? If I choose to work, what type of LPN job would be the best? I know that there are BSN programs where you do not get your LPN in the process, so is it possible to not work as an LPN and still do ok during the RN program? Anyone's insight would be appreciated :).

[bsnprg]

Would be nice to have some experience than none. Everything will make a lot more sense if you have actually been in a medical setting prior to your RN program .

Good luck.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses

[Noune2867]

My advise to you would be to get a job even if it's part-time for now it will make more sense

getting your feet wet as they say in order to be able to comprehend or have a better understanding of

nursing my story is similar to yours. Also a forty something mom with older kids just graduated from an LPN

program getting ready for my board and working as a PCA which mean CNA in some places it really help

having an understanding of the job or task ahead.

Congrats and good luck

[JaaaeyRN]

Depending on the school you plan to attend required you to have certain hours to be admitted or not.

When I finished LPN, I didn't have a chance to look for a job. Then I got accepted to RN school. I graduated without any real nursing experience.

My school now required 1000 hours of working as LPN.

I found it is hard for me to find a job compare to my peers but not as hard. Many teaching hospitals love new grads because we haven't developed any habits just yet as a nurse. So they can form us the way they want.

If I were you, I would pick whatever the chance come first. Because if you don't, then you have to wait especially for school.