LPN or RN?

So i'm a sophomore in H.S. I dont know what i want to do with my life yet. Im positive i want to work in the nursing field, but i'm not sure about what part. Should i become an LPN that takes less time and less money, or RN that takes more time and more money and to be a lot smarter. I have the oppurtunity to go to a career school my jr. and sr year and get a nursing degree but people tend to think that the people who go there are less educated, and dont get the full education i would get from my home school. Im not too big about going to college but i want to do whats best for my future family. Im also worried that when i get to college that i wont do so good. I live in a small town and go to a small high school, and i think they are under teaching us, and not giving us the right education to get us ready for college. Please feel free to send me your input.

If you are not too big on going to college, I don't think nursing school is right for you. It is very intense. You need to be motivated and focused on getting through.

I would look into all the different health care occupations, especially the technician jobs. See what is offered at your community college. Also consider the military (particularly the Army and Navy). They have lots of jobs in health care that they will train you for. If you feel unprepared for college, I would say start out at a community college. They will give you placement tests. If you don't score high enough, you can take remedial classes. If you do decide that to later transfer to a 4-year school then it is possible to transfer some credits.

Just take plenty of science and math classes while you are still in high school. Possibility volunteer at a hospital or nursing home to see if that environment is a good fit for you.

Do the RN, You'll make out better in the end.

RN. Even if you only go for two years and then go to work, you can always go back and get your BSN, or four year degree. When you are an RN, you are allowed to do more things than LPN's are allowed to do. For instance, LPN's are not suppose to handle Nitro Drips, therefore, there are job limitations for LPN's working in emergency departments and intensive care units. I am a CNA working between an emergency department and an ICU and I urge you to go and get your four year nursing degree.

There are endless job opportunities, the pay is higher, and you have a more rewarding experience. Nursing school, however, is intense and hard. You must be motivated to work hard each day.

I know your pain, I am about to turn sixteen, and I also live in a small town. There is one community college in our town, and no other forms of college education unless you go to another county. I hope to apply to Queens University of Charlotte after I graduate and pursue my four year nursing degree.

Good for you! Your are thinking ahead of the curve. I was not much for college either but I went ahead and got a bachelor's degree and now I wish I would have gotten an Associates Degree in Nursing (ADN) instead. I am not clear one what a career school is (but I reckon it's like a vocational school).

It doesn't matter what people think of the school as long as you do well in your classes there. The nice thing about a career/vocational school is that many have something called "articulation agreements" with community colleges which allows you to move straight into a program at the community college - this is very valuable. Check with your academic adviser or counselor about this.

I suggest you put the time and money in up front to get an ADN, which will allow you to become a Registered Nurse. You can get the experience and education you need to move into an RN-BSN (Bachelor's of Science in Nursing) if you choose to do so later on in life. I think the LPN option is great if you know that you don't want to go any further in school but it really limits your options later on in life.