This is not a plug for any particular school but one of the best ways to find out the proper path is to talk with some of the seasoned nurses perhaps at a site like AllNurses.com or check out the programs offered at OnlineUniversityToday.com which features every known school in the country. There are other online resources that have actual professionals explain their path and what area of expertise you desire to get into. If you have a heart to become an LVN or RN then you still need to ask yourself whether you like working with children, adults, physically challenged or even a psychiatric department.

There are actually many paths to go about become a nurse. You could choose to go to University or College. There are many schools that offer a “trial” type of program as Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). When you become a Certified Nursing Assistant you get to see first-hand what nurses do.

This route can either inspire or discourage you if you are short-sighted but nonetheless it is a great way to go beyond the books right into the nursing field in a very short period of time.

Many colleges and vocational schools allow for LVN training, as an alternative to spending years in college. An LVN career can be started in 12 months; most private schools charge between $20-40K to finish the program within a year. These are considered fast track programs, that will get you quickly educated and certified. Once you start your nursing job as a licensed vocational nurse, you can make it your career choice, or continue with your education to become an RN.

The duties of a Licensed Vocational Nurse differ slightly from that of the Registered Nurse. LVNs are usually supervised by a doctor or an RN, and they may not perform all of the same duties as the registered nurse. However, there are some advantages to choosing this route to start in nursing, and once training is complete, many people choose Licensed Vocational Nursing as a career.

Even if you don’t choose LVN as your career, there are major benefits to starting your nursing job as an LVN instead of spending years becoming an RN. One is that you have a way to support yourself while working on your RN degree.

There is nothing better than talking with nurses directly. We recommend you call any of the Bay Area Nursing Colleges and just talk with some alumni.

Nursing Experience

As we said in the beginning, joining an LVN program instead of going right into the RN route is the experience you gain, both while taking your LVN course work, and when you begin your first nursing job.

Most of us have changed careers several times in our lives but you should have enough tenacity to try out the various options in the health care industry. Some people never discover this until after they have completed four years of school. When you choose to start as an LVN, the benefit itself is usually a major part of the work experience component. If you did decide that you aren’t cut out for nursing after you have taken the program, then you have not invested many years, not to mention the financial burden as well.

Bridge Programs to from LVN to RN
The great thing about the nursing field is that nothing is really going to waste in terms of educational experience. When you have invested your time and money in the classic or fast-track LVN program you can join a Bridge program to get your Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing (BSN) as an RN. While working with LVNs you will most likely see RNs on the floor who have gained substantial benefits from having gone the extra route to the RN program. Not only salary wise but the doors open wider for many more niche opportunities.

So, Should I Become an LVN?
It is truly one of the best decisions to make in a career path that has the highest demand for decades to come not to mention pays really well and has multiple options for expansion and finding passionate fulfillment.

For more information regarding LVN / RN, please visit Americancollegeofnursing.com