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Registered Nurse or LPN first?

I am asking whether I should go straight for my RN or should I get my LPN first? I've done a lot of research about this and I'm 50/50. #nursing #medicine #registered-nurses #lpn

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Linda Hassan’s Answer

Hello Bethany,
I appreciate your question on studying for an LPN or RN degree to launch your career in healthcare. I can tell you from an academic standpoint (being a clinical instructor and completing my master's level degree in nursing) more and more nursing programs are designing academic studies for the higher-level nursing degrees. For example, 4-year degree nursing programs are pushing a Registered Nurse (RN) to Master's in Nursing (MSN) or a Bachelor's in Nursing (BSN) to Doctorate in Nurse Practice (DNP) track, with the later expanding the most rapidly. While training to be a RN is difficult and many hours of studying, I believe that you will find the rewards in many ways over your lifetime. As a nursing student you are investing your time and studies for a lifetime of opportunities.

The LPN degree is fading out. Nursing faculty are seeing the LPN role as less mobile and flexible for the needs of the healthcare system, which is more complex to navigate. Our healthcare system has many barriers to patient care and patients are dealing with more complicated and chronic health conditions than ever before. We need more highly trained nurses caring for patients who present with multiple high-risk health issues -- along with complicated socio-economic and mental health issues.

I am a strong proponent to prepare today's nurses with a higher-level education, which will prepare you for the front-lines of demanding patient care and nursing administration. I believe you will be more confident in your profession (clinical assessment and organizational skills) and there will be more options for you in your career over your lifetime. I see hospitals phasing out the LPN role, and believe that you will be faced with limited options.

As a Registered Nurse, your salary will be higher and higher over the lifetime of your career. You can advance your career by obtaining specialty certifications in nursing such as Certified Case Manager (CCM), Certified Diabetic Educator (CDE), AIDS Certified Registered Nurse (ACRN), Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN), Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse (AOCN), and Family Nurse Practitioner.... to name a few.

My idea here is to consider your longterm life goals and future opportunities in nursing. You will have many many more options as a Registered Nurse to advance your career and develop new interests.

Please reach out if you need further guidance. Best of luck to you Bethany!!
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Deborah’s Answer

I was an LPN at first. It is a great option if you want to begin a career in nursing with minimal schooling. My LPN program was one year. I was able to get a full time job right away. After that I did an RN to LPN program online and I now have my BSN. The only drawback was I could not find hospital jobs as an LPN. So if you are set on working in a hospital setting I would skip the LPN. Hope this helps and good luck!
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Marie’s Answer

Skip LPN and go for 2 year RN ( regerister nurse). Worth the extra year , working conditions, and money. Find out how to get College credits now, like Duel enrollment. This way you have a headstart on required courses for your RN degree. Some AP classes also give you college credit. Contact your local community College to see required courses and information on starting your RN degree path way . Message me for questions.
Best of Luck. ME
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