LPN to CNA/PCT

Nursing Students CNA/MA

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Specializes in VA, Ortho, Med/Surg.

I hate to admit this but I am thinking of dumping my LPN for a CNA just so I can work in a hospital. Tampa hospitals are NOT hiring them anymore, nor are they 2 yr. RN's. I think it's ridiculous being it's cheaper to train and employ LPN's but whatever. We can blame it on Obama right hehe? Anyway, I would NEVER admit to a school that I was an LPN before or the hospital staff...be terrified they would think I am NUTSO but I so want to be back in the hospital ENVIRONMENT that I'll do anything. Even clean the units. Love being around people and helping others. I just am not feeling nursing home, ALF's or home care.

Anyone else feel me here?

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Specializes in Peds(PICU, NICU float), PDN, ICU.

Ok, sounds a bit crazy. But, you can still apply to tech jobs as an LPN. If say keep the license just in case. It may be difficult to get it back. Or you could consider an RN program while working as a tech. There are other options as an LPN. Plasma centers, equipment/supply companies, chart auditors, other areas of hospitals such as hyperbaric nursing and IT, flu clinics, travel, corporate health clinics, state facilities, prison hospitals, and other places.

Here's a secret...I've found that by looking at resumes of local nurses, I can see other ideas/places that hire LPNs in my area. Maybe that will help. I worked in a hospital 6 hours away and stayed with family. I'd work 6 12s and take 8 days off to go home or whatever. Just another option or you could find a nurse to carpool to a further away job.

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I'm in the same exact boat! Good hear I'm not alone. Good Luck!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
Anyone else feel me here?
Nope, not feeling it... I became an LPN to earn LPN pay and amass LPN experience. I didn't earn an LPN license to take two steps back by purposely seeking out CNA jobs where I have the privilege of busting my butt for crappy pay and no opportunities for advancement.

The hospital environment is not the exalted jewel that people make it out to be. After exxerting blood, sweat and tears to become an LPN, there's no way in heck I'd take a demotion to become a CNA or patient care tech.

LPN job in home health, LTC or ALF: LPN Pay + LPN Experience

CNA job in the hospital: Allows your LPN license to go to waste

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A position you can apply for as an LPN in a hospital is surgical tech/nurse. I see many postings saying either ST or LPN.

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A position you can apply for as an LPN in a hospital is surgical tech/nurse. I see many postings saying either ST or LPN.

Most hospitals want scrub experience. So even if you are an LPN, if you don't have experience, most ORs won't hire you.

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Specializes in LTC.

I worked too hard for that LPN license to just discard it so I can work in a hospital. Besides, LPN can work in settings other than LTC/SNF/ALF. However if you won't be satisfied unless you work at a hospital then by all means. What if it turns up in the background check that you have a LPN license you did not disclose?

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Most hospitals want scrub experience. So even if you are an LPN, if you don't have experience, most ORs won't hire you.

True but it doesn't hurt to try.....

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True but it doesn't hurt to try.....

You can try. I just know that no hospital in my area will hire you unless you have 6 months scrub experience or have graduated from a scrub program.

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The pay difference between an lpn in LTC and a CNA/PCT in the hospital is somewhat significant in my area. LPN's in my area make anywhere from 18-25/hr on average. PCT's make about 13-17/hr (15 avg) that work in the hospital, based on experience and unit type, and CNA's make roughly (10-14/hr).... LPN's in my area/state are not hired in the hospital setting or subacute/rehab. They are primarily found in LTC or Homecare.

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This is kind of an odd position to be in. Its strange, Paramedics can work as techs and still keep their Paramedic license, and they have more training than an LPN, so I don't understand why an LPN isn't allowed to do the same.

The reasoning behind not allowing LPNs to work as techs im assuming is because they are worried you might exceed your scope as a tech, but that reasoning makes no sense. Again Paramedics working as techs can only do a fraction of the things they are trained to do and can do in the field, yet they manage to resist the temptation to do more, and their extra knowledge and expertise usually comes in handy in some situations.

You also have many PCTs who are Nursing or allied health students, some at the end of their program, and possess education and training exceeding that of an LPN, yet its not considered a problem. I work with a tech who is a licensed Paramedic AND a senior in a BSN program, why would this person not be considered overqualified to work as a tech but an LPN is?

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
This is kind of an odd position to be in. Its strange, Paramedics can work as techs and still keep their Paramedic license, and they have more training than an LPN, so I don't understand why an LPN isn't allowed to do the same.

LPNs are certainly allowed to work as techs in some states. Not all, but some. However, many hiring managers shy away from this practice because they're suspicious that a tech with an LPN license might quit if a "better," higher-paying position came along.

In addition, the tech with the LPN license will legally be held to the standard of care of his/her highest level of licensure (read: the LPN license) if a poor patient outcome ensued.

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