LPN is it worth it?

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Nov 30, 2016

My son, an LPN, had three different job offers before he even graduated from his program. Now he's working for a skilled-care facility that will pay his tuition through ADN school in exchange for working for them for at least a year as an RN. We're on the West Coast so the job market may be different where you are, but here there is no shortage of jobs for LPNs.

Sour Lemon · Nov 30, 2016

Hey do have an advice on weather its worth it to go for your LPN before your RN at this point? Im being told there not hiring alot of lpns and there aren't alot of positions anymore? I wanna work in a Physician's office setting. Also I'm in Massachusetts.

Since you are already "Nurse" Norman, you should be able to answer your own question.

NuGuyNurse2b · Nov 30, 2016

it depends on your career goal. as you are aware, hospitals are either phasing out lpns or downright don't hire them anymore. I know my hospital gave them an ultimatum years ago to get RN/BSN or bust. even now you can't be an ADN and get a job at a local hospital without signing a contract saying you'll be BSN'd in the next 5 years. So if you're comfortable with knowing that, no harm in pursuing your goal.

johsonmichelle · Nov 30, 2016

It depends on where you want to work, I'm not aware of any hospital hiring LPN . But long term care facilities really need LPN, I work in one and most of the nurses working there are LPNS.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2016

I worked as an LPN for 4 years prior to becoming licensed as an RN. The LPN role was certainly worth it to me. It enabled me to work a flexible schedule full-time while attending school.

Also, my yearly earnings during my four LPN years ranged from $45k to $62k, which is not too shabby for a vocational diploma that took only 12 months for me to earn.

RLtinker, LPN · Nov 30, 2016

Most LPNs tend to work in long term care and rehabilitation with home health and correction also having a high demand. Getting a job in a hospital setting or clinic is less common. Now don't get me wrong, clinics and hospitals both still bring in LPNs, but these jobs are less common and the pay is usually lower then other areas. As for becoming an LPN before becoming an RN, that depends on your personal situation. In my personal opinion, it is better to go strait to being an RN if you can, it take less time and money to become an RN then to become an LPN and then bridge to RN.

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Nov 30, 2016

My winning streak as an LPN held constant for 24 years, even though we, as LPN students way back when, were told that LPNs were being phased out. When I was forced back to school for the ASN 7 years ago in 2009, my LPN colleagues had more faith than I did about their current employment status, and rode out the economic storm as LPNs. They still have their jobs in that same hospital.

That's a good thing. But the bad thing about that is that if the job decides to abandon them, they're pretty much done for in that area, as far as securing employment elsewhere. (I couldn't risk remaining in the LPN role because I was PRN, had a very non-supportive, now-ex-husband, and was living in an area where I knew no one other than that farce of a human being and my colleagues).

I can't speak for nursing in your area. But I can tell you that if you become and LPN first, it'll be worth it. If you become an RN first, it'll be worth it. Having a valid nursing license is better than no nursing license at all. And, I believe it's easier to bridge to RN as an LPN, as opposed to the cut-throat competitiveness that coincides with trying to be amongst those accepted into a traditional ASN program.

luvmyc · Dec 1, 2016

Yes it's worth it. For me it will take the same amount of time and be LESS money. I've worked in public health, home health, a clinic and a hospital.

latoyabecks · Dec 4, 2016

Trying to find organized lpn school in ny, any advise.

TruvyNurse · Dec 7, 2016

I say it is great to work as an LPN while you are working toward your RN. Many places will offer tuition assistance and you can get your foot in the door!