To be or not to be an LPN?

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

Hello everyone,

Hope you had a great day.

I wonder if there are still jobs out there for LPN'S! I want to make a career change and go fully into Nursing but want to start with becoming an LPN. The reports I hear from LPNS are not encouraging. Some say LPNS are already being fazed out of the System.... I don't want to go study and pay for the school and then not be able to secure a job.

Are there still LPN jobs out there? Is it a smart move to start a Nursing Career by becoming an LPN first?

Thanks for your response. :-)

Specializes in ICU.

Yes, here you have to graduate from a PN program to challenge the PN test. LPN programs generally are anywhere from 15-18 mos long and an RN program is around 3 years for an ADN due to prereqs. My best friend is doing the LPN program at one school and I am doing the RN program at mine and they are different. It basically because the scopes of practice are different. Now if I want to get my CNA license after the first semester of nursing school I can do that but I cannot challenge the NCLEX-PN.

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Interesting thanks for the info Heathermaizey. Still kinda wish I went straight to RN instead of LPN first,but got a couple more years of good medical experience before RN. Good luck in school.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

You should research your specific areas hiring wages, new grad employment options, etc as well as look at the cost to attend.

I started taking prereqs to enter an RN-BSN program a couple of years ago. Then my husband left me and our 3 kids and (after considering the above factors) decided to attend an accelerated LVN program.

I am currently living my dream! I am working as an LVN earning very good money and just finished my last semester of RN prereqs.

The only cons are: 1) I do have a ton of student loans, and 2) I'm pretty exhausted right now from working my 4th day in a row in the middle of finals week. On the bright side, I earned an A in my A&P 2 class and I have money in the bank.

1 more bonus to becoming an LVN 1st: I'll be eligible to apply to LVN to RN bridge programs at the very inexpensive 1 year long local community colleges during the next application period.

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I am an LPN. I completed all my RN course work but then, as is often the case, life got in my way. Not going for my RN to begin with is one of my biggest regrets. Back then I really thought the LPN was all I would ever want. Things change with us as individuals as well as with society. It is a very personal choice, we can only share or stories and opinions. I will keep you in prayer that you make the choice that is correct for you.

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I have been an LPN/LVN in first Louisiana, then Texas, for the last 16 years. I have heard for the ENTIRE 16 years of my career that "they are phasing out LVN's - you'll be without a job". Honestly, I do not ever see that happening - it hasn't for 16 years, or MORE! However, what you will see is a LIMITED job market for you, as some of the others have stated. I live outside of Houston and the big hospitals not only won't hire an LVN, they won't hire an ADN RN. They all want BSN RNs. I am starting RN school in 2 weeks in an ADN program and it is very disheartening, but the jobs for both LVN and ADN RN are out there. You just have to be diligent in finding them. Now....should you go to LVN school first? I say "NO". I did it thinking "I'll go right back and get my RN in a year or two". That did NOT happen due to life events. And we ALL have life events, so I suggest you just go straight to RN school. I am now 43 years old and back in school trying to get my RN training. It's frustrating, so save yourself the frustration and go straight to RN if that is your ultimate goal. If you KNOW you would be happy staying an LVN, then just do that. It generally only takes 1 year for LVN school, unless you live in La, which is 18 months. I regret doing LVN school first, but you may not. Good luck either way!

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Specializes in Postpartum, Mother/Baby, Comm. Health, Geriatric.

I love what TashaLPN2006RN2012 wrote. I depends on your situation. Do what is best for you!

I have been in the healthcare field since I was 19 (now 28). I've been every thing from an activities assistant, to a social work tech., to a care manager, to a pharmacy technician working with the discharge team at a major hospital in the inner city of Detroit, MI. I love the geriatric population and have finally decided to pursue my LPN because there are still waitlists for ADN programs (that I've waited on personally, with a 3.52 gpa). I was accepted to a CCNE accredited program (after about 7 months), then will attended a LPN to RN program at a community college. And so on, and so on.

I am currently in the healthcare field, have a family, I have senority in my hospital chain, good benefits, etc...

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There are still jobs out there for sure. In my area, I'm going to graduate in November and I already have a job waiting for me.

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Age is nothing but a number, It's what is in your heart that matters. If you have the drive to accomplish your goal of becoming an RN by breaking it up so be it. It's never too late, I am 38 and I am just getting ready to start my journey as an LPN, classes begins in June. My goal is ultimately to become a Nurse Practitioner specializing in either Psychiatric Care or just reg Family Practice. I put life on hold to take care of the family while my husband was in school and now that he is a successful Electrician/ Power Lineman this is my time to get things done. And with God by my side I will get it done. No regrets...You Can do it.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Duplicate discussions / threads have been merged into one per our terms of service. Thanks. :)

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