LPN. or RN

I recently relocated due to a nasty divorce, I have been trying to figure out which to do. LPN or BSN. I was waiting for the in-state tuition to kick in before I made a decision. (In Arkansas the wait is only 6 mo ) I really need the opinions of RN's and LPN's....which is better to have as far as pay and benefits? I have heard that Rns get paid almost the same as LPN's? I'm getting my CNA this summer so that I can get a job as well as go to school. I'm going crazy trying to figure out which road to go! Someone please give insight into each path. Do you regret the path you took? If so, why...I'm really interested.
Hello gapeacheykeen,I advise to just go straight for your Bachelor in Nursing and get your RN license. Make sure you aren't going in for nursing just for the money. Because going in for the money, you wouldn't make your first clinical semester. I always tell people to be a CNA for 6 months to get a feel of nursing.I don't regret my path one bit. I made sure I took time to know my reasons for going into nursing. It wasn't the " I love helping people" it was because I enjoy making people feel happy and bring peace to them since they are in a foreign environment. I worked as CNA for 2 years while I was in nursing school. It was very tough, but learned alot. Where I am located in the United States-- Registered Nurse's with a BSN is mandatory in order to get a job. They rarely take LPN's or even RN's with their associate degree anymore in the far east up north.Wish you the best!!!!
Many hospitals are phasing out LPNs. I know this is the case with mine.
Quote from gapeacheykeenI recently relocated due to a nasty divorce, I have been trying to figure out which to do. LPN or BSN. I was waiting for the in-state tuition to kick in before I made a decision. (In Arkansas the wait is only 6 mo ) I really need the opinions of RN's and LPN's....which is better to have as far as pay and benefits? I have heard that Rns get paid almost the same as LPN's? I'm getting my CNA this summer so that I can get a job as well as go to school. I'm going crazy trying to figure out which road to go! Someone please give insight into each path. Do you regret the path you took? If so, why...I'm really interested.
Definitely go for you ADN first then you can do your RN to BSN online and hopefully while doing that you can get a job with your ADN. I regret going for my LPN first. Good luck
Everyone's experience is different so I like that you are getting a range of options here.It depends a lot on your own life. Did you and your ex-husband have children together? Would it be feasible to move back in with your parents or other family members to help keep costs down?Nursing was a second career move for me. There was no local BSN program so I went to a Community College and got my ADN. 10 years later I did an RN to BSN Accelerated Program at a Private University. My mentor advised me not to take a CNA class and work as a CNA prior to school. The expense wasn't worth it as the first thing you learn in nursing school is the kind of patient care CNA's do. I didn't take the class and I'm glad. I was able to go to school without having to work much. I did work as an MA at a doctor's office very part-time. If I were advising a young person, unencumbered with kids and a husband . . .I'd say go right for the BSN. Regardless of your circumstances, I would not advise going for your LPN/LVN. RN's do make more money and there are a lot more options.I wish you good luck!
Depends on what you like. LPNs generally work in long term care and clinics. An LPN in a clinic can expect to make almost half of what an RN in acute care makes. Now, do you go for ADN or BSN? No ones knows what will happen 4 years from now, but generally speaking, very few ADN nurses are getting jobs in hospitals unless they have previous experience there.Apply to a number of different schools, both BSN and ADN and do what ever you have to do to finish the degree. One last thing, a lot of people will say "don't go into nursing for the money". Correct, don't go into nursing ONLY for the money, but don't think you have to be some Mother Teresa type. If you are a good, hard working person you'll do fine as a nurse.
Are you kidding me? RNs (whether BSN or ADN) get paid substantially more than LVNs/LPNs, not to mention more opportunities in terms of specialization and administration. If you can afford it, go for the BSN. Don't waste your time with LVNs (as many people here already said it, it's hard to get a good job as a LVN.
Quote from Wabi SabiAre you kidding me? RNs (whether BSN or ADN) get paid substantially more than LVNs/LPNs
Wow, really? I have honestly never heard such a story. In my area (So Cal), RNs make a LOT more than LVNs, including LTC (I have a RN friend who has worked there since he was a CNA). That must be terrible for RNs in your area to get paid the same as LVNs. More schooling and more skills, and yet the same pay? Wow, that sucks.
If you have nothing tying you down, (husband, kids) then I would go right for the BSN and get it done. LPNs are great, however in my area they are limited to LTC and while some may make more than a RN, it is the LPN with years of experience vs a new grad RN.If you want to be able to change specialties or get away from the bedside after 5-10 years then you need to have a BSN.If you have kids and need to support them while going to school, a CNA is a good option.I was a CNA in a hosptial making $17 working part-time through my ADN program, now I am a RN working part-time and am working on getting my BSN. If I could have done a faster route to my BSN I would have, but I had to work to support my kids.
Quote from gapeacheykeenI recently relocated due to a nasty divorce, I have been trying to figure out which to do. LPN or BSN. I was waiting for the in-state tuition to kick in before I made a decision. (In Arkansas the wait is only 6 mo ) I really need the opinions of RN's and LPN's....which is better to have as far as pay and benefits? I have heard that Rns get paid almost the same as LPN's? I'm getting my CNA this summer so that I can get a job as well as go to school. I'm going crazy trying to figure out which road to go! Someone please give insight into each path. Do you regret the path you took? If so, why...I'm really interested.
Quote from AZMOMO2Not true and not everywhere. I personally started at a higher pay rate at an LTC as a New Grad LPN while a New Grad RN hired at the local hospital was getting paid less. Currently as an LPN I am making more than an RN counterpart is where they work. (Same field)