I'm not sure if I want to be a nurse if I only work with the elderly.

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Hi everyone,

Well ever since I was little I wanted to be in the health field. When I thought about becoming a nurse, I pictured treating patients of all ages. It kinda discourages me a little when I read for the most part LVNs/RNs work in nursing homes or just work with the elderly in general. I think "well I thought nurses treated people of all ages, what happened? Was I thinking about medical assistant?":down:

Honestly, as much as I enjoy helping older people (I work in ALF as aid) I don't want to do this forever, I want to help people from babies to the elderly, I want to hear different stories, learn different conditions, etc, I want variety.

I would prefer to work in a clinic, I just like the more relaxed, small setting and still have weekends off and holidays. I want to have a family some day, so this will be good, but is it even possible?

It seems that nurses (LVNs and RNs) are kinda limited in their options, although people say "yea you have other options like clinics... BUT IT'S REALLY HARD TO GET/ITS RARE" basically the majority work in nursing homes?:unsure:

I'm sorry if this makes no sense, but I'm going for LVN and will be applying for the program very soon and I just have a million thoughts going through my head about this, sometimes I wonder if I should really apply for the LVN program...:arghh::cry::down:

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Specializes in ICU Stepdown.

Yeah, a lot of hospitals, clinics, and possibly doctor's offices want 6 mos-year of experience before they consider someone but really, it sounds like it's in everyone's best interest. Who REALLY wants to graduate and jump right into hectic situations? It's not realistic. Working in a nursing home/LTC/hospice makes all the difference because it gets you comfortable with being a nurse and working with a simpler (for lack of a better term) age group. It will make the hospital/clinic/doctor's office way more confident in your abilities and most importantly it will make YOU confident. People don't declare minimum requirements for no reason!!!

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I've never actually heard of LPNs/LVNs working at a hospital. Most of the people I know and according to hospital career website, it's usually RN/BSN is what they want. Hospitals will give you a chance to see a lot of people of all ages. Although I'm not sure what happens when you are working at a certain department. If you work in pediatrics, I'm guessing that you work primarily with minors.

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With Baby Boomers rapidly reaching retirement age, the likelihood of treating and caring for an elderly population will increase.

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I'm not sure where you are but where I am RNs are not as limited in their options as you are implying. I have patients aged 18 - 80s. I have a good amount of patients that are my age or younger (I'm 25). If I wanted to work with children at children's hospital that's an option. Keep an open mind.

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In my area LPN's can not work in hospitals, but we still see them in nursing homes. RN's in my area are certainly not limited. You could do case management, research, teach. If you stay with an associates...yes, it can be a little limited. But since BSN is becoming a requirement for most areas, why not become a NP...that way you can start your own clinic one day. Just a thought.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Nursing jobs that have younger people in the patient population mix (pediatrics, NICU, PICU, ER, med/surg, reproductive medicine, L&D, postpartum, sports medicine) are highly coveted because a higher societal value is assigned to the lives of the young. Since everyone and their mamas wants to work in these specialties, the competition for these jobs is fierce.

78 million Baby Boomers will become elderly in the next 15 years. Elderly people are the wave of the future, and thus, ignoring this reality would be shortsighted. Good luck to you!

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Specializes in Adult Cardiac ICU.

In my area, LVNs make up the majority of nursing home/hospice nurses but I've heard of both LVNs and RNs working at hospitals, etc. I would suggest building as many connections as you can. The more people you know, the better. LVNs are licensed and trained to work at hospitals- the question is, how will you stand out amongst all the other hopefuls? How will you show that you are more valuable than an RN with a stronger educational background?

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