Second career LPN

Housebabyj · Mar 27, 2015

I would like to hear from a LPN who had a master's degree in another field before going to school to become a LPN.

Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B · Mar 27, 2015

Your probably not going to find many. Persons with advanced degrees in another field will generally opt to take a transition program direct to BSN that is usually the same amount of time as most Lpn training. Good luck though

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 27, 2015

I would like to hear from a LPN who had a master's degree in another field before going to school to become a LPN.

A person with a non-nursing master's degree can become an RN by completing a 15-month accelerated BSN program, or by opting for an 18-month to 2-year direct entry MSN degree program.

It would not make sense, at least in the US, for people with prior MA or MS degrees to become LPNs when they could attain RN licensure and pay in the exact same amount of time. Hence, I doubt you will find people with previous master's degrees who decided to enroll in practical nursing courses.

Don't get me wrong, because the LPN is a respectable occupation. I was one for several years. However, I chose that route into the nursing profession because I had almost no college credits to my name and needed a new career in 12 months.

Housebabyj · Mar 27, 2015

My master's and BA degrees are in education. I have to take eleven prerequisites, and there is only one accerated BSN program in my city and probably the whole state. I fear it would take years to get in since it is so competitive and limited space. I have good grades, but I was thinking about time. In my state with 12 years of experience in my field I only make under $44,000 with a master's degree.

junebug929 · Mar 30, 2015

I just can't resist giving you my opinion... I had a previous BS and thought it would be fast and easy to just get an LVN (in a quick year) and then go back for an RN. Easy as pie! Graduated at the top of my LVN class. Started working and earning money.... Was constantly treated like less of a person for being an LVN and not an RN. People assumed I was stupid and couldn't get into to an RN program so that's why I must be a lowly LVN. Finally finished my RN and still feel like I need to take a bath from getting an LVN. I'm not putting LVN's down! On the contrary. I graduated with so many wonderful and intelligent people some of whom are now NP's. Just go get an ADN if you have to. I personally feel as though getting an LVN was a detriment to my career.

blue82 · Mar 30, 2015

i have my MPA and then went back for my LPN.....i decided i wanted to get my foot in door and decided to get my LPN before my RN since my background is non-nursing.

blue82 · Mar 30, 2015

I decided to take that route because most of the BSN school or ADN school in my area have a extremely long waiting list... at this point i don't regret it because i obtain some nursing experience and i can use it as a credit, once i decide to go back from BSN or ADN.

caliotter3 · Mar 30, 2015

I once worked with an LVN who had an MBA (as I recall from Harvard) at a home health agency. (I always wondered why she had not pursued an RN license but don't recall her stating why). She did however, state that she was intending her MBA to help her in obtaining her own agency in the future. At some point in time, the home health agency created a management/administrative "position" for this person as evidenced by me receiving a three page job evaluation form signed by this very same LVN using her fancy job title. All this from an employer that had stopped giving me work months before, and me only having a telephonic handoff from this LVN one time ever. I never heard of the LVN again. Seemed like she had parlayed her MBA into a good "position" with that particular agency at least. Not typical, to say the least. You would do well to progress to an RN license.

shesanurse · Mar 30, 2015

A person with a non-nursing master's degree can become an RN by completing a 15-month accelerated BSN program, or by opting for an 18-month to 2-year direct entry MSN degree program.
It would not make sense, at least in the US, for people with prior MA or MS degrees to become LPNs when they could attain RN licensure and pay in the exact same amount of time. Hence, I doubt you will find people with previous master's degrees who decided to enroll in practical nursing courses.
Don't get me wrong, because the LPN is a respectable occupation. I was one for several years. However, I chose that route into the nursing profession because I had almost no college credits to my name and needed a new career in 12 months.

Hi i am an international BSN graduate, but i finished my MBA here in the US. I was affected by the concurrency so was just allowed to take the nclex pn. Do u think i can qualify for the 15 month bsn program to be an RN? Thank u so much

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2015

Do u think i can qualify for the 15 month bsn program to be an RN? Thank u so much

You would need to apply to the 15-month accelerated BSN programs and see what happens.

amoLucia · Mar 31, 2015

To OP - just curious - what is your long-term job goal? To teach nurses, LPN or RN, usually requires an RN with a minimum of a bachelors' degree. Some states do allow LPNs to teach CNAs. I would guess if you're interested in a tangential health-care area you most likely would qualify easily. That's saying you want to pursue something in education.

As an LPN, I don't know that you might be earning much more than that $44K (depending on location). And you would be an LPN with a much more limited scope of practice. Currently, employment opportunities for LPNs are limited in certain areas of practice and roles.

So the RN recommendation from other PPs is the wiser approach - unless you're thinking something off the usual grid.