For any RNs or LPNs ONLY!!?

Question

I am attending school for Practical Nursing from July of 2008 until July of 2009. I plan on becoming an RN in the future, I just wanted to start out as an LPN to gain experience and because it would get me out into the work force quicker(due to course length obviously). After reading some of the answers to other LPN questions, it seems like a lot of people think becoming an LPN first is a waste of time. I even read a comment that said what you learn as an LPN is useless when you become an RN and you will have to basically learn your basic skills all over again. What are your opinions on this? I only want people to respond that would actually have an educated answer, not someone that is going to tell me to go right into an RN program due to them making more money and being able to do a lot more, as I am aware of those differences. Plus, I am not in a situation where I can devote at least 2 years to school right now.

I was not trying to sound rude or anything. I just noticed from other answers that they brought up how you will make more money as an RN versus and LPN and be able to do more. I do not know a lot about those careers, but I did already know that, so I did not need to be reminded of those differences.

Thanks for any and all advice! :)

And I noticed my typo(ARGH!)...

I meant "an RN versus an LPN"...

Answer 1

The only reason I have personally advised people against the LPN route is because it is really not necessary to gain experience if you're planning on going for the RN. Many people go straight into RN programs with zero patient care experience and make perfectly capable RNs.

It's all about your personal comfort level and the practical reasons for why you are not doing RN school first (longer commitment, more money, etc.)

It is very true that LPNs and RNs have very different job functions and responsibilities. Your first semester of RN school is like taking an accelerated CNA / LPN program where you learn those basic patient care skills, taking vitals, etc. But beyond that, the expectation for an RN's performance is at a much higher level. The knowledge of anatomy & physiology and pathophysiology is much more in depth. You learn the unique aspects of the profession like using the nursing process (assesment, diagnosis, plan, interventions, and evaluation). You learn how to assess a patient from head to toe to determine their most immediate and urgent needs and anticipate potential needs. You need to know your legal liability and what you can delegate to assistive personel - all while remaining 100% legally responsible for what you delegated to other people.

An LPN has far less responsibility because you simply are not trained to perform all those other tasks. So if you want experience taking care of people, helping them with activities of daily living, passing certain medications, performing certain skills like wound care, etc., that's great experience. But it really won't put you too much ahead when you go for the RN.

One real practical benefit of getting your LPN first is that yes, you get to work quicker, and if you're lucky, will find an employer who will assist with your tuition when if and when you decide to go for the RN.

Good luck regardless of which route you choose.

Answer 2

If you are in a position in life where you need to finish an accelerated program and start working, then by all means go to an LPN/LVN program.

The skills that LPNs use are not wasted on an RN, they are only a base from which an RN works.

If you become an LPN, you will be able to work and earn money. Also you will be using and gaining experience at the hands on tasks and medication administration tasks which RNs need to understand. Your knowlegde of this will make you a better RN student, and even a better RN when you first start working. The benefits, however, are normally no longer evident after the RN graduate reaches the 6 month experience mark.

When I was in school I worked as a nursing assistant, pharmacy tech, and a surgical tech. None of these positions performs the same exact tasks as an RN, but they work with RNs and I was able to learn from the exposure, and it made my education as an RN easier.

I also found that hosptals will usually pay some tuition assistance for employees, especially those working on an RN program. Where I worked they would only pay if you went to the BSN program because they were emphasizing going to an all BSN staff at that hospital. But each hospital has its own rules.

Either way, finish your LPN program and get a job. You will have an income, and then you can consider the RN programs available.

Before you decide what your next move is... look where you want to be doing in 10 or 15 years, and what schools would get you there, not what you can do in 2 years.

Answer 3

Honestly LPN and RN have 2 totally different skill sets. I'm not sure of the programs in your state, but in my state it takes just a little longer to have you associates RN than to have an LPN. Once you have your associates, you can work just about anywhere and get the facility to reimburse you for training to be a BSN, which might take an additional year. To me, going from LPN or associate RN, or LPN to BSN is a longer route. if I were you and wanted to get a degree and then work alittle, I would do the associates, then go to work as an RN while you earn your bachelors. There are many RN-BSN programs available and they are usually about a year. If you ever plan for future advancement in the profession though, you will need you bachelors.

Answer 4

It isn't useless to become an LPN. In fact it is a great way to figure out if you like nursing. And while you are working as an LPN you can earn you RN or BSN at a local college or online.

Many highly respected nursing school now offer online degrees as a way to help ease the nursing shortage:

You can find a great list of online LPN to BSN programs here:
http://www.my-nursing-career.com/nursing-degrees/lpn-to-bsn-nursing-degree-programs.html

And RN to BSN programs here: http://www.my-nursing-career.com/nursing-degrees/rn-to-bsn-nursing-degree-programs.html

In addition, if you are looking for a good financial reason for becoming an RN with a BSN, you might consider that according to the US Census Bureau's 2006 national salary survey, Registered Nurses (RN) can earn about $15,000 more per year than Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). If, for example, you are an LPN with 15 years until retirement, you can earn an additional $225,000 if you invest 12 months to complete an online LPN to RN program.

There are many good reason to go about getting an LPN before getting an RN or a BSN. Time, finances, experience are a few.

When you have your LPN, many times, your employers will fund your BSN education.

Answer 5

I understand where you are comin from, I plan to start LPN next fall. But I do plan to become a RN in the future. I dont think it is a waste of time becoming an LPN first, it all depends on your finanial situation to devote all that time to school full time. Also sum schools do offer courses for LPN's to be an RN that way you dont have to start all over.
Hope I helped