I am an LPN student and only a few months away from graduation. I have been making the rounds in clinicals and have liked just about every area I've been in. I plan to go on to RN and then possibly APN. There are lots of places to cxhoose from (if they're hiring, of course). So, my question is which job should I try to get first. I've heard that so places (nursing homes) pay better but you lose some of the skills you learned because you mostly pass meds. I've heard med surge is the way to go because it keeps your skills fresh but the hours are sometimes less than desirable. Specialty areas sound like a lot of fun and pay a little better, but are you at risk of not being broad enough to go further later? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

I did my LVN, and had some great fun jobs that I liked, then I went for my RN, and went straight into the ICU, worked my butt off for three years and learned a lot. I had the opportunity to take a case management gig, and I'm so glad they liked that I had ICU experience. It's really helped a lot, I got M-F hours, great pay, and really it's a nice gig. I think had I worked harder when I was an LVN and had more difficult challenging jobs I may have gotten ahead quicker. I think it's best to start off in the most challenging environment you can find, and go from there. It pays off!

I'm not sure from your post if your plan was to seek employment in a hospital as an LPN or later when you go onto the RN. But in most parts of the country, hospitals are not hiring LPNs any more and are phasing out the few left who work there.

It is a myth that in LTC you lose skills and just pass meds. The way healthcare is going these days, we are seeing many highly acute patients in LTC, and you will learn a butt load of skills. The patient load is heavier and you will need some very sharp assessment and time management skills, as well as critical thinking skills because you will need to make a lot of critical decisions very quickly.

So don't rule out LTC, and if you really want a great learning experience, definitely check into skilled/sub acute LTC facilities.

Try to get a job where you will hone your skills. LTC is not a dead end, however it highly depends on the acuity of your patients. I work in a facility where there is both LTC units and skilled units. On the skilled units you have more acute patients. This position would be great for a new LPN because you can learn alot more skills.

When I was LPN it was great, however it got to the point where I didn't feel like a nurse anymore. I feel as though I lost my assessment skills due to passing meds, doing treatments, and charting 24/7.

Anyway, get your experience in somewhere whether it is LTC or where ever. Your experience does count if you make the best of it.