2007-12-13 13:29:11 · 12 answers · asked by Irma D 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment ➔ Health Care
For every question like this, there will be several opinions, but there is no best answer, except that which meets your needs.
LPN education is shorter, and therefore less expensive. This also means you can start working sooner. If you have never worked in health care, this may be a good way to see if you like the fiels withour investing the time and money to be an RN. LPNs or LVNs (dependent on your state) provide many of the same services that RNs provide, however, as there is greater versatility to an RN and they can provide more services and have a greater level of responsibility (according to most state practice acts) RNs do make more money, and do have a hiring preference.
If the need to work and the cost of education is not an overwhelming concern, then obtaining the RN would be the better choice.
There are 3 avenues to an RN license.
ADN an associates degree usually taking 3 years to complete (including all prerequisites) and provided at community colleges.
Diploma this is a hospital-based program, taking 3-4 years and cost may be covered by the hospital if the student agrees to work as an RN for the hospital system for a specified period.
BSN a bachelors degree program which takes 4 or more years to complete, provided at colleges and universities. BSN programs have some additional course work, which allows the graduates to work in positions not available to graduates from the other programs without additional education. (such as public health) Also there are some positions, including leadership and supervisory positions at some hospitals, which are specified as BSN required or BSN preferred.
If you obtain the LPN first, there are accelerated programs at some community colleges which provide the RN program for persons with LPN licensure.
There are no correct choices, just the choice that works for you. If you are an LPN and the go back to school to become an RN you will be a better and more experienced RN. If you skip the LPN program and start as an RN, you will have the same amount of experience the LPN to RN graduate has by the time they complete the bridge course. It really depends on what you need financially.
2007-12-13 17:39:00 · answer #1 · answered by US_DR_JD 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many schools, including the one I attended, offer a step-wise program, where you get your LPN (also known as LVN in some states) after the first year and your RN after the second year. If you need to work while going to school, you can be doing LPN work and getting better pay (and experience) while still moving onward toward your RN. If you can't find that type program, I recommend an RN program. The LPN often does just as much work, if not more, for less pay.
2007-12-15 05:14:14 · answer #2 · answered by Kal H 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Please-by all means go for the RN. I decided to become what would be the equivilant to an LPN in California and have regretted it very much. Not just because of the salary difference, but the amount of respect that an RN gets versus an LPN. It will obviously take a little longer and cost more-but it's totally worth it.
2007-12-13 13:33:29 · answer #3 · answered by techtwosue 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Start with the RN program. Look into programs where you can take the LPN test part way through if you feel that you cannot finish. RNs make more money and get better hours in the long run. They also have my flexibility and options.
I have three nurses in my family. Two RNs and One LPN. The LPN makes $27 and the RNs make $35and up. They have awesome hours.
2007-12-13 13:36:00 · answer #4 · answered by Need to Know 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Straight to an RN. My sister is in school now to be a nurse, and she said that an LPN does the same daily tasks as an RN....but they sure as heck don't get paid the same.
2007-12-14 01:27:08 · answer #5 · answered by Expert8675309 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Personally since I am going through the same thing, I am going to LPN school first and thn to RN only because LPN is shorter.
2007-12-13 13:40:45 · answer #6 · answered by ablockgurl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My sister was an LPN first and the hospital she worked for payed her way through RN school... Lpn school only takes I think 9 months? then you could work and make pretty good money while you go to RN school..
2007-12-13 13:33:03 · answer #7 · answered by Sarekay 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most medical offices and hospitals are starting to steer away from the LPN because they still arent allowed to do much. Go forthe RN. They have an easier time finding jobs. Unless your dream job takes you no further than the nearest nursing home. I would highly recommend going for RN. Or CNP.
2007-12-13 15:53:14 · answer #8 · answered by lhsmb05 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Honestly go to school to be an RN...you will get so much more out of it
2007-12-13 13:32:07 · answer #9 · answered by yomastro 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get training as an LPN first, then you'll be prepared for RN. Or even a CNA, then you won't have some of the gross jobs that RNs have to do...but you also won't get paid as much..
2007-12-13 13:32:21 · answer #10 · answered by Allessandria 2 · 0⤊ 4⤋