New Student, Not Sure Which Route to go?!?!

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

Okay so here's the deal......I am soooo confused & getting lots of different answers from schools, people, etc. So I am here to get an answer from people who do the job. CAN an LVN work in a hospital??? I am wanting to get into nursing, and have been blessed with a program that is helping me go back to school. I had cancer 6 years ago and the RNs seriously changed my life, and that is what I want to do, eventually! I know I can't start @ RN, so my options are to start @ CNA level, then go back to get my RN...OR, I was told I can start @ LVN then do a RN or BSN step up program. Thing I am scared of is that everyone keeps telling me "LVNs are getting phased out" and there won't be jobs anymore.....Also that LVNs do NOT work in hospitals, but rather nursing homes, and to be honest, that is just not where my heart is. I REALLY want to be in a hospital setting. My dream is to be working in pediatric oncology or labor and delivery one day!!! :0) Anyway any insight/advice would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks you guys!!!

Thank you guys for your help!! I have a lot of thinking to do this weekend!! LOL The school told me the do clincals in hospitals as well as nursing homes/ltc so I'm hoping between that & my volunteering sharp, I'll be able to land of hospital job one of these days,

Up Vote Up Vote ×
In North Carolina, hospitals do not hire LPN's. Although, I did see a job listing for an LPN in the outpatient services at a nearby hospital & there is another one that hires LPN's as surgical techs. Nursing homes pay the best, but LPN's also work in doctor's offices, urgent care, flu clinics, etc. Start searching job listings in your area to see what prospcts are out there.

Well I know CMC and Presby(Charlotte and surrounding areas) hires LPN. At CMC, they're called clinical assistants.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

One more thing, I was told that once I do 1/2 of the LVN that I'd be eligible to take the exam to get CNA, so if that is true that'd be great so I can get a job as CNA before I graduate w/LVN

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.
One more thing, I was told that once I do 1/2 of the LVN that I'd be eligible to take the exam to get CNA, so if that is true that'd be great so I can get a job as CNA before I graduate w/LVN

Yeah that's a great way to get experience while in school & it might help if you get with a facility that will give you a position once you finish school & pass the NCLEX :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

OP why do you think you can't start off by getting your RN? You don't need to be an LPN first.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice/Infusion.

I live in NJ and I graduated as an LPN 4 years ago. There is no opportunity as far as I know of in my area to work in a hospital. I am currently back in college trying to get my RN for this reason, unfair, but true. I want to work in ICU so I guess I'll have to get my RN to do it, and nowadays you'll need a BSN to be competitive!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It's b/c all the schools here have crazy waiting lists and are very expensive, and take a while. I am in a program where they have a grant and helping me pay for school, and it is on a time limit, so sadly I don't have time. Soooo that's why I was thinking LVN so I can do a bridge program later on, once I save up $$

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice/Infusion.

That's what I did, I think you get better experience and more bedside hands on care as an LPN starting out which helps you in school for RN

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If you want to work in a hospital setting, your best bet to be competitive for hospital jobs, is to get an RN license, preferably from a BSN program.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm in lvn school right now and I love it. I feel like I'm receiving more experience by taking this route.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment