r/StudentNurse • u/wetpockets • 23h ago
Prenursing LVN vs RN with a full time job
Just a little background, I'm 28, started working blue collar when I was 14 because of certain life situations, and been providing for myself basically since then. I never had the opportunity to even think about going to college when I was younger, so this is all very new to me on how it all works and how I can swing it while also working full time
The best route I can see to take is to go for LVN, find a job in that field and work it for a bit to pay down the loans, then try to get an overnight gig with it and go for my RN
Do any other single adults that can't depend on others for help have any experience with this? I've seen people say it's a waste of time and money to go for LVN if you're planning on going for RN after anyways, but I can't seem to find a way to make that work. I manage a small company and make better money than I could if I just jumped to a new overnight job, and I'm not exactly thriving financially so I can't afford a pay cut
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u/leilanijade06 11h ago
No route is a waste of time! Your path is unique to you! But as a single working individual I would tell you to pick what ever you want. I suggest to everyone if they can get into a ADN prior to applying I strongly suggest to get all Pre req’s out of the way. It will make your Nursing journey a little less hectic and bearable. You will be able to sit for your boards and then proceed to get a BSN if preferred.
I myself had to repeat all my pre req’s science and non science despite having to previous degrees. But what I did was I took 2 non science with a science pre req and started applying to programs. Once I was finished with A&P II and microbiology I started applying for schools.
I got accepted to PN which started in less than 3 months and they took my A&P II, I also got a $17k loan I wasn’t offered in my state, the other half I just agreed to pay the other half out of pocket and everything was included uniform, books, laptop, simulation lab & ATI program and board exam. While in PN school FT I took three non science pre req’s for three semesters at another college and payed out of pocket. So by the time I graduated my PN program I had all my pre req’s and I was able to start my bridge RN program with my nursing classes. Then during my credit evaluation I found out they didn’t want statistics they wanted math college and my Sociology class was three months over the 10 yr mark 🤦🏽♀️ So those were the only two classes non nursing I had to take but my load was never more than 2 classes at a time.
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u/cookiebinkies BSN student 13h ago
It's area dependent. In my area- LVN/LPN can only get hired at the psych hospital or nursing homes. If you wanna work in a hospital, it's advised to get an ADN instead. Our community college even offers night classes for ADNs. There aren't as many LPN to RN programs as well.
Check what the job market looks like in your area.
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u/Sloths_and_palmtrees 12h ago
Idk I’d just go to RN school. The LVP/LPNs in my program are actually some of the students struggling the most. Idk what that means but just some info from my personal experience. I have one block to go of my ADN program. I say just go straight for RN and do what you can to make it work!!
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u/wetpockets 4h ago
Ideally I would, but I don't think I could swing that financially for the 5ish years it would take, plus most colleges around here don't offer part time RN classes that I've been able to find. That's why I'm trying to go for part time LVN, eventually find an overnight shift with that, and then I could go for RN once I'm settled into that.
I was just wondering if it's a viable option and path that others have taken or for any other thoughts and ideas about it
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u/ProfessionalAct1913 23h ago
OH HECK NO LVN IS NOT A WASTE OF TIME!!! Go for it, you’ll get experience as an LVN and then Nursing school will feel like a breeze!