I have been a medical assistant for 6 years now. I am interested in going back to school for nursing.
I am undecided if I should go for LPN and then RN ASN and then RN BSN.
My main goal is go until I become a NP. I am currently working in a medical office, but am limited to what I can do. I love the medical field and want to further my education. Can I take any of these classes online. I am a mother of 3 and need a income coming in. Can you help me with information on this?
-Samantha
This question was asked in the nursing forum section.
Patty says
Hi Samantha,
Great question and I hope I can help you out. If your main goal is to become a NP, you definitely need to go for the BSN (bachelors in nursing degree). In the long run it will be faster for you and cheaper so you can reach your ultimate goal in becoming a NP.
If you get a LPN degree, you are very limited on what you can do as a nurse and will find job opportunities very limited. Also, by 2020 the US has a goal for 80% of employed nurses to be BSN nurses. Many employers are pushing for nurses who have ADN degrees to go back and get BSN degrees. I think they want to phase the ADN program out (but they won’t be able to but they will try).
However, I noticed you said that you are mother of 3 and need an income coming in. Since this is your case you may want to look into a LPN program. It takes a year to complete and you could work as a LPN when completing your BSN (RN degree). It may be something you want to consider. Some nursing programs have accelerated programs for LPNS who want to be a RNs.
Yes, you can take many of your pre-req courses online when you start completing your BSN degree. However, once you start getting into the nitty gritty nursing programs, you will have to go to campus for lectures and hospitals for clinicals. I don’t think this will be the case with the LPN program. I think most LPN programs require you to complete courses on a campus.
To complete the BSN degree, first, you need to find a university with a BSN program. Here is a list of nursing schools by your state so you can start looking for schools in your area: https://www.registerednursern.com/nursing-schools-colleges-list-by-state-registered-nurse-rn/
Then you will have to apply to the university and complete their pre-req courses. I highly recommend you contact an advisor with the program to help you out. They are usually very friendly and eager to help. After you complete the required pre-req courses. You will have to apply to the universities nursing program.
Regardless of what you decide becoming a nurse is a great job and very rewarding. I wish you much success.
Anonymous says
I went with the ADN program, and have been an RN for 3 years now. I am now working on my BSN. I was able to work part time and go to school for my ADN and that worked fine for me, and there were many people that had kids and were able to make it work. I think starting with LPN is kind of a waste…. But i am currently working on my BSN thru Chamberlain College of Nursing and the entire program is online, and is not hard at all so far. When you start as a an ADN RN you have a better knowledge when you go thru school to finish BSN. Also you will make more money starting with an RN rather than LPN. I don’t know if this helps but just another opinion.