Someone should warn people!!!

pedro123 · Aug 3, 2009

At the hospital that I am doing my clinical training, its bad, the nurses who has been there for 7 to 8 years, said they have never been floated before, and now they are. That's how bad it is, because the hospital is even trying to save money and budgeting, omg, its awful:crying2: :uhoh3:

Eaglelady · Aug 9, 2009

I live in Largo Fl and graduated RN school 2 months ago but I did the grant program thru my employer and b/c of that I had me a job when I graduated but I know of one's that didn't do the grant program and are still looking for jobs here in Fl---it is hard. My employer is mainly hiring RN's also they are even trying to get the few LPNs we have to go back and get their RN degree

FLg8r · Aug 9, 2009

I live in Largo Fl and graduated RN school 2 months ago but I did the grant program thru my employer and b/c of that I had me a job when I graduated but I know of one's that didn't do the grant program and are still looking for jobs here in Fl---it is hard. My employer is mainly hiring RN's also they are even trying to get the few LPNs we have to go back and get their RN degree

was the program you did through your employer BayCare? i'm trying to go thru their LPN program now ... after my first interview, they asked me to go thru their RN program instead, but i was one class shy of the pre-reqs they required. i thought about doing the LPN on my own, but for the same reasons i've been hearing about on here -- it is hard for a new grad to get a job ..... i'd rather sign a contract and be guaranteed a job.

how did you like the program?

SandyGrace · Aug 9, 2009

Wow! Pretty harsh words there. Stating that a chosen career has no value and the education is lousy sure isn't very supportive of the many intelligent, highly skilled LPN's that I know are out there. May I ask what you have against LPN'S?

Kbennet65

I am sorry if I sounded harsh...however it is what it is.....the law not me is the one that does not value that particular degree..it is limiting in what the person with a LPN degree can do in health care. After being in the profession for 45 years, I have worked with many very valuable and knowledgeable LPNs. I've told them and I repeat it here....please go back to school and get the degree that the law values....the RN degree, and while you are at it get your BSN degree. Health Care is such a complex world these days and the more education you get the more valuable you are to many more people. I went ahead and got my MSN degree even though I did not gain any more money, in fact I lost money. However it gave me so many more options in health care. I didn't know at that time that chronic illness would take me away from my patients. Because I had that MSN, I am able to still support my family in ways that do demand high levels of energy. Not even an BSN could have helped me. You just don't know what life is going to hand you...therefore get all the education you can get!

Take Care

SandyGrace · Aug 9, 2009

WOW. it has been my experience that LPNs can be team leaders, delegate and supervise. And LPNs are needed and valued. It has also been my experience that in most cases LPNs run circles around RNs in certian cases. Now I agree it is hard to find any job not only nursing but to tell someone that thier career choice is worthless was not needed..
J Lewis LPN (ADN graduate Aug 12 09)

I am speaking from the side of the law. I coach RN students in preparation for taking the NCLEX, according to the NCLEX LPN's cannot teach,cannot do the admission or dismissal assessment and cannot institute the careplan. They are very limited in what the law says they can do. As you, I know many wonderful LPNs, however if they want more options, then they must go on and get the degree the law values, the RN. I was replying to the orignal message which was "Someone should warn people", to me that is academic advisement when selecting a degree. Now using the step ladder is just fine...NA, LPN, and then RN. There is nothing wrong with that, just don't stop at LPN as your options are very limited.

Take Care

Eaglelady · Aug 9, 2009

was the program you did through your employer BayCare? i'm trying to go thru their LPN program now ... after my first interview, they asked me to go thru their RN program instead, but i was one class shy of the pre-reqs they required. i thought about doing the LPN on my own, but for the same reasons i've been hearing about on here -- it is hard for a new grad to get a job ..... i'd rather sign a contract and be guaranteed a job.
how did you like the program?

The program was hard but doable. But I didn't go thru the Baycare one I went thru the one offered by Largo, Northside, Ed White, etc hospitals but they are almost the same except Baycare sets up their own stuff. But you are so right it was worth it all to know I had a job when I graduated and didn't have to go out and look for one--I wish you all the luck in whatever you do----

Nitfree · Oct 8, 2009

I've been an LPN for 32 years now and currently enrolled in SFCC doing prereqs for the transition program. My suggestion would be to try smaller towns like the one I live in (Arcadia) to work. They often have limited applicants. Also, Dr's offices, home health or DOH and other state jobs. You won't make the money that a hospital pays but you will get the experience they are asking for. It's a start anyway. I was also worried about jobs when and IF I get my RN. Was just counting the cost and considering taking a job with Corrections for $10,000 more a year than I make now. That would be close to an RN's salary without the expense of student loans. That's Plan B if I fail A&P. It costs so much that I won't pay for it again. Also, consider GEO who supplies employees to the sexual predator place in Desoto...I know, maybe not the most ideal place to work but you could put up with it for a year or so to get the experience. I have friends that work out there and they say it's not so bad. Money is Great!

rnwotwob1 · Oct 9, 2009

hey - RN, BSN. everyone is having the same crappy hassle. The license means a person is qualified (isn't that what the clinical hours were all about - hands-on hospital clinical hours). The facilities want everyone to have a year experience.

I am beginning to think this has all been a waste of time/waste of brains.

caliotter3 · Oct 9, 2009

Is that some state board licensing issue because of the particular RN school you chose? ... or ... Is that simply a practice that your current LPN employer does with all LPN's who go back for the additional RN education?
If it is just a peculiarity of your employer ... is that common practice where you live? Do lots of employers do that to all new RN's?

This has nothing to do with licensing issues over the school one attends. It is peculiar to the employer. My previous employers were only too happy to provide a pay raise once one presented the RN license. All previous employers were eager to see me become an RN. I was told that RN experience is not LVN (LPN) experience. Malarkey. I would be doing the exact same job but signing documentation with RN instead of LVN.