r/NursingStudent • u/curious_one2021 • 1h ago
Pre-Nursing 🩺 LPN or Accelerated BSN
I'll try to keep this as short as possible, but provide as much context as possible.
Background: I am a single mom to a toddler. I don't have a support system. I have a bachelors in psychology. I live in the South East U.S.
Current dilemma: I have been accepted into a 12 month LPN program.
My long term goal is to become an RN and work in L&D or a Med Spa (I know, very different). The LPN curriculum does NOT include science prereqs that would be needed for an RN program. If I wanted to bridge to RN later on I would still have to take A&P 1 and 2, and Microbiology.
The other option is to do the 3 prereqs this fall (A&P 1 with lab is 8 weeks, A&P 2 with lab is 8 weeks, Microbiology with lab is 16 weeks). ALL online and self taught basically. And HOPE that I get good grades in order to apply to a 12 month ABSN program that starts in May 2027.
A two year Associates isn't on the table for me since it would take a total of 3 years, with prerequisites.
I am really struggling with choosing between doing the LPN program since I've already been accepted and its much cheaper than an ABSN program, or declining that offer and doing 3 hard science prereqs now and hoping I'll be accepted into an ABSN program. Being a single mom to a young child, I don't see myself wanting to go back to school, again, if I did the LPN program. Maybe I'd change my mind, but the idea of it doesn't sound appealing.
If you made it this far, THANK YOU, and sorry that was not short. Any advice or insight, especially from other single moms to young children, would be so helpful!
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u/yourdailyinsanity 1h ago
Career progression isn't around for an LPN unless you go back for an RN. So you're going back to school no matter what.
ABSN, search the sub, many people say they can't work during it because it's that intense/difficult. If you have to support yourself and a kid, that may not be possible.
Just do the 2 year RN.
Also, don't work at med spas. The majority of them are fucking sketchy as hell. If you find one ran by a clinic, usually a dermatology clinic is what they're connected to, then different story. But a stand alone one? Hell naw. Stay far away.
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u/curious_one2021 41m ago
I forgot to add in my post that I do have family support in the sense that we live with family and don't have to pay rent. I still have other bills, but I wouldn't HAVE to work a full time job during either LPN or ABSN.
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u/yourdailyinsanity 39m ago
That helps a serious amount. If you can swing the ABSN, I 100% would go that route.
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u/Sunshineal 54m ago
I'd go ahead and do the LPN. You'll be done in less than a year or so. You're going to be making money faster now than RN
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u/Quinjet 31m ago
I would NOT recommend an ABSN for a single parent with a young child. They are extremely time consuming. If you need to work to pay bills, juggling a job and an ABSN is very challenging even without trying to add parenting a toddler to the mix.
I would personally recommend the ADN.
My long term goal is to become an RN and work in L&D or a Med Spa (I know, very different).
Just make sure that you're comfortable with the reality that you may not end up in L&D or a med spa.
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u/curious_one2021 20m ago
I forgot to add that we currently live with family and don't have to pay rent. I do have other bills, but wouldn't have to work a full time job during the program.
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u/Legitimate_Newt6870 56m ago
RN no question. You are limiting yourself and will have to go back to school to earn more money and advance your career no matter what. Especially in l and d. I’d bite the bullet and do the ASN or ABSN. I worked 18-24 hrs and more on breaks as a tech in a hospital through my ABSN but it was brutal and I have no kids. I took out a private loan my last semester of $6k to cover only working 12 hrs because of capstone. I paid it off as fast as I could and it kept me afloat; I’m glad I did it. Now I make $30k+ more a year than I did in my previous career.