If you were me, would you...

[i<3u]

Hi everyone!!!

I just started the LPN program but I plan to continue/bridge on into the RN portion of the program as soon as I finish my first year. I have the option of getting my LPN license and working as an LPN, while finishing my last year or not. I have a hard time trying to figure out if it would be best for me to work as a LPN in a LTC facility during my last year (there's no openings for LPNs in the hospitals in this area) or forget the LPN license and just work as a tech in the hospital (one of those in/externship programs). My goal is to work in Med-Surg, ER, or Critical Care when I graduate. Being that the job market is pretty tight out there for grad nurses, I honestly don't mind where I start in the hospital setting. I'm just wondering what would increase my chances of obtaining a position as a graduate, working as an LPN in a LTC facility or tech in a hospital during my last year?

Just a side note: I would like to thank all of you hardworking nurses and nursing assistants out there!!

[i<3u]

I'm an LPN and if I had it to do all over again, and had really thought this through, I would have been a PCT at a hospital while studying, test out for my LPN after the first year, just in case, but continue doing the hospital PCT then go into the RN program and hopefully accumulate enough contacts to work in a hospital.

Another avenue to try is to be an ER health tech. From what I've seen they get a lot of really good hands-on experience.

You are going to have a lot better time of it transitioning into a hospital if you prove yourself now, you'll make contacts, and be able to network so that even if you don't get a job at that hospital, you will know people at other facilities, and you will get a really good skill set, and you will get to know the personalities and the politics.

I had a family member in the hospital a while back and I was amazed at what the PCTs were allowed to do. Wish I had gone that route to my RN.

Ergh. I was offered a hospital job right out of the CNA program and I turned it down. I could kick myself for that.:smackingf

Great idea! So when you said that I had a chance to prove myself "now", did you mean in clinical or when I am working as a PCT?

[happyinillinois]

Get a very part-time job as a tech. This is coming from someone who took her LPN boards after the 1st year of Nursing school and worked as an LPN during the last year. It all worked out for me, but as a tech who is a nursing student, you will make connections that will prove invaluable when you graduate nursing school.

[mazy]

Great idea! So when you said that I had a chance to prove myself "now" did you mean in clinical or when I am working as a PCT?[/quote']

I guess I meant both. You'll be working on proving to the hospital that you are a good employee, interested in learning, and a good team player. That ethic will tranisition over to your clinicals, where you are going to have to jump through some very unexpected, unpredictable, and challenging hoops.

I think it will be a twofold learning experience. As you develop your understanding of nursing in school you will be able to absorb more from your work environment that will help you as a nurse in the future. The skills you learn on the job will help you absorb more from your course work at school.

The only caveat is to remember the difference between being a PCT, a nursing student, and a nurse.

Well. Having said all that, I'm very excited about your future. Wishing you good luck!