You need to leave the pool eventually. Not everyone is able to just jump out at the edge. It is fine to cross lanes, just look out for other swimmers. No worries and many happy laps!
Feel free to cross and use a ladder. I have a formerly bum shoulder and I stopped the jump/twist exit last year after a slightly tweaked landing left me in pain for a week.
Lots of people need to use the ladder. It’s fine to cross lanes as long as you’re quick about it and don’t interfere with people’s turns. At my pool, people tend to leave the outer lanes for the ladder users to swim in, when possible.
Either is fine. I swim at a pool that is mainly seniors water walking or swimming breast/back. None of them can hoist themselves out and they cross lanes to get to the ladder/steps. They’ve all been good waiting for me to stop at a wall and signal their intent. I usually lighten the mood by thanking them for giving me an extended break/breather lol.
I don’t mind but I’m a noob we’re all just trying to get our time in.
I’m 100% going to the ladder. I don’t want to hurt myself.