Is it worth going to school for LPN (2014)?

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

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I went to register for the LPN course that starts in fall, but the one of the women there told me that LPN aren't in demand and I'll have a hard time finding a job and if I do, I won't make much. But another said that it wasn't true. Am I going into a field thats not in demand and has a dead end? I they're any new LPN's can you share your experience and your start off pay??

Specializes in Clinical Documentation Specialist, LTC.

Just wanted to add one more thing to this thread. In my more than 17 years as a LPN, I have never had a problem finding a job. The longest I went unemployed was 2 months. LPN jobs are plentiful in different areas if practice. You just have to know where to look, how to market yourself and know how to network.

I got my license in September and started a job in December in an Internal Medicine clinic. The pay isn't as good as in a nursing home but the work is much easier and less stressful, and they offer very good benefits. I might work LTC or home health prn when I need extra money.

This clinic is part of a big company with several hospitals and 100s of doctor offices. They replaced their LPNs in the hospitals with RNs but are phasing out their medical assistants in the doctor offices and replacing them with LPNs. If that's a trend everywhere, I think LPNs will have no problem finding a job.

I went to register for the LPN course that starts in fall but the one of the women there told me that LPN aren't in demand and I'll have a hard time finding a job and if I do, I won't make much. But another said that it wasn't true. Am I going into a field thats not in demand and has a dead end? I they're any new LPN's can you share your experience and your start off pay??[/quote']

I was a CNA for 7 years before going to the LPN program in 2008. I graduated in 2010 doing the evening program and started a job in a nursing home. I worked in a nursing home for 2 years before going prn. I was paid working the weekend option starting at $20.45 and went prn with a pay of $22.88.....not bad with the pay but the stress of the political bs that was there and the turnover rate was high for the staff, the little "clicks" that were there as well, I stepped down to as needed and went to a Dr office. I have been there little over a year now. The stress level is so much less there but I can't use my nursing skills. I took a major pay cut to almost half what I was making. The pay is less but the benefits are greater-----free office visits for me and immediate family, free MRI's, x-rays, labs as long as they don't have to be sent off, and the relationships that build between the doctors and myself are very rewarding! Now they are wanting to send me over to the VA clinic to better educate myself since they own it, soon I will be entering the bridge program LPN-RN. I am very grateful to be a nurse.....especially rewarding to see a patient come in with the hurt look on their face and leave with a look of appreciation that we, as nurses, helped heal them!

I went to register for the LPN course that starts in fall but the one of the women there told me that LPN aren't in demand and I'll have a hard time finding a job and if I do, I won't make much. But another said that it wasn't true. Am I going into a field thats not in demand and has a dead end? I they're any new LPN's can you share your experience and your start off pay??[/quote']

I started off 2 years ago in Nashville at 16.50/hr at a nursing home. There are also shift differentials and extra pay for PRN status. If I wanted to I could have started off in home health, dr office, assisted living, or private duty with out any problem. Hospital jobs for new LPN are not realistic and probably will not happen. What do you want to do as an LPN? That really is important. If you are set on working in a hospital than you should become an RN either now or soon after you become an LPN. I am in school for my BSN now and being an LPN has helped me tremendously in regards to skills and confidence. However, my ultimate goal has always been to become an RN and work in a hospital. An RN is the only way I will get to my goal. I was offered 14/hr at a dr office as a new LPN but I didn't accept the position. Private duty I was offered 18/hr. In home health I could have made about 20/hr. it depends on your interests in different areas of nursing.

It's WORTH it if you're interested in nursing at all!! When I was in school, I had no interest in getting my LPN or ever working in a nursing home! I had no interest. I intended to continue through & get my RN. Well, kids happened & I got my LPN as a "stepping stone", I work in a nursing home & I love it! My first job, I started at 18 an hour. Three years later & lots of experience later, I'm at 24 an hour.... More than my husband!!

Specializes in Pediactric.

have you started the program yet? & what city are you in?

i'm an lvn (california) and it was so hard to find a job. i had to

extend the truth on my resume and say i worked "private" in home

care , which means a family paid me under the table. (its legal).

i put my friend as the "nurse manager" . so when they called her she

spoke nothing but great things. i got the job. sadly, its only in home care agency.

i would much rather be in a facility. but like everyone says, they ARE fazing us out.

so i'm enrolling in a private RN 'BSN program this fall , i dont feel like my job

is secure at all honestly, nor do i get benefits. and i get paid 17$

i LOVEE being a nurse, i wish they'd appreciate us a lot more.

they say its the RNS that dont want us in the facility, yet they complain when

they have too much workload.... wow! but......... they are the top dogs, cant

beat them, join em :)

There will always be different factors involved but the question was asked for the purpose of getting some answers. Overall I do not believe going to school (now) to become an LPN is worth it. I emphasis now because there are those who have been LPN's for some time now and they have a job and can get another one perhaps easily if they wanted to. Here in the northeast many positions for LPN's require 1-2 years of experience. So while there are lots of positions posted for LPN's it is the new grad that will have a difficult time. Those who have been LPN's for some time will probably disagree but that's in part because they can get those jobs...the new grad though, not really. So first reason why I say overall it's not worth it is due to job availability for NEW GRADS. Second is the decreased respect that LPN's receive. I recall several months ago looking for LPN's positions at various facilities (excluding LTC). At first I couldn't even find any. You know what my problem was? I was looking under job opportunities under 'Nursing'. Some facilities had the LPN's listed under 'Technician' positions. Other facilities had them listed under 'Nursing Support'...same category as CNA's. Now in a LTC facility, yes, you're considered a nurse.

I don't want my posting to be entirely negative. But if it seems that way I only want to accurately reflect my side of the story. I live in the northeast. Other folk live in different areas and have different views. If you have the option to become an RN definitely go for that instead. If you don't then try the school for LPN. It may be tough to find a job but it's a weak economy. Many new grads are having it tough looking for a job for many career fields.

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

Just like most of the other comments here, it all depends on your situation. I am in Michigan and there are many opportunities for LPNs here.

I have also waited on two different RN programs lists for 2+ years. There are still seats left for LPN-RN students, but the regular seats are filled every semester. So bridging is the best way to go for me.

Ive been an LPN for 12 years now and trust me you WILL find a job. I chose LPN because it was the only seat open. RN programs were filled. SO I took it as quick as the words were said to me! Yes you can work in LTC but you can also work on a sub acute floor and really its hopping busy full of many different patients. I sought out this opportunity knowing that it would build up my skills and make me marketable. When i was in LPN school my instructors would emphasis that you need to get your feet wet in sub acute if you have the opportunity. I had all kinds of patients: post surgery, new trachs, post cardiac, pts who had been in traumatic accidents...all kinds. It pushed my skill level and gave me a whole bunch of learning experience. After doing this for many years I floated down to LTC which was a different pace but still had alot of younger patients and at times sub acute patients mixed in. I did alot of pallative care, still did IV's (I was also certified to insert them). In ten years time at one job I did as much as I could and learned as much as I could. Your license will be what you make it! This week I just started work at the local VA hospital. So yes....you see LPN's will always have a job.

As far as pay it depends on where your living/working. Dont expect to start out making a stellar salary without any experience. As with any career you need to get experience under your belt and then you will earn more. The good thing about all of this is that you can go on and get your RN and move on and up from there.

I've started my prerequisites for the RN program and also applying to the LVN program at one of the ROP schools in the Los Angeles County. I'm the type to not put all my eggs in one basket anymore. I did that once and missed out on many opportunities.

I completely agree Bronze 4. I don't put all of my eggs in one basket either as far as nursing school goes. I was able to jump right into an LPN program without having to do all of the prerequisites and then wait another year to see whether or not I made the RN program. The cost of living actually outweighs the cost of nursing school for me so it made more sense to do the LPN first. This way I can bridge to a BSN and gain valuable nursing experience at the same time. So, if you are concerned about time and money, LPN would be my suggestion as you can overlap the much needed 1 - 2 years experience while you are on the path to your RN or BSN. LPN jobs are not a problem in my area as long as you are willing to work outside of the acute care / hospital setting.

This thread has been the most helpful in me making my decision to pursue my nursing career. I start an LPN program in January in Orlando and will work on my science classes to bridge to BSN since I already have a bachelors degree. Thanks for everyone's input!

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