worth it to get my RN?

Students LPN-RN

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Not sure if this is the right place to post but...

I am currently an LPN working in a clinic. I absolutely love my job, so I am wondering if it will be worth it to get my RN.

I love my schedule, M-F, 8-5, no weekends or holidays, love my coworkers.

But I still want to get my rn, for the pay, the opportunities and I hope someday to get into management.

I am just worried that I will not be able to find a job as an rn with the same benefits as my job now, any advice or suggestions?

mazy

932 Posts

The age old question......

Have you asked around at your clinic about opportunities for RNs? Or looked around at other facilities? Given that you have a good record with them, know the patients, the rhthyms, the docs, and staff, it might just be a good move for them to encourage you to go on.

If I had the opportunity I would get my RN, just because I am always looking for ways to learn more, and I love this profession and want to take every opportunity to become more knowledgable and to put that knowledge to use.

I'm not sure that will happen anytime soon, but I'm OK with that, even though I do get those starry, far-away yearnings at times to go on to get my RN.

*Please excuse the spelling mistakes....:cool:

TheCommuter, BSN, RN

102 Articles; 27,612 Posts

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

What would happen to this wonderful clinic job if a new office manager takes over in a couple of years, decides she doesn't like you, and therefore does everything within her power to get rid of you? What would happen to your job if the clinic became financially insolvent someday and needed to be sold?

All good things come to an end. You might love your job today, but tomorrow holds no guarantees. For that reason alone , I think that the RN license is worth it.

OSUFan1

134 Posts

Not sure if this is the right place to post but...

I am currently an LPN working in a clinic. I absolutely love my job, so I am wondering if it will be worth it to get my RN.

I love my schedule, M-F, 8-5, no weekends or holidays, love my coworkers.

But I still want to get my rn, for the pay, the opportunities and I hope someday to get into management.

I am just worried that I will not be able to find a job as an rn with the same benefits as my job now, any advice or suggestions?

I also am an LPN who works in a Dr.'s office and absolutely love my job because of the great hours, no weekends or holidays and no braving the bad weather. I have only been working there for 6 months and prior to that I worked at a small hospital for 2yrs. I have also wondered if it is worth going on the get my associates as well, but I think in the long run I would regret it if I did not..like the other post said things change in any given moment..and I do know i do not want to work long term care..(I did that for 12yrs as a STNA)..so if you do get the opportunity go back and finish your degree (even though there is absolutely nothing wrong with being a LPN)

I plan on doing my school thru Excelsior!! Good luck with whatever you decide.:nurse:

NurseBlueBear

53 Posts

Specializes in Urology, Gyn, Family Practice, HBO.
All good things come to an end. You might love your job today, but tomorrow holds no guarantees. For that reason alone , I think that the RN license is worth it.

I have to agree with this. I had the same kind of job that you described until a month ago. 8-5, no weekends, no holidays. I really loved it. Until the doctor that I was teamed up with decided to retire a year early. He retired at the end of October. I was kept on until the end of November "in case something else opened up". Nothing did, and now I find myself unemployed over the holidays. Seriously considering using this break in my employment to bridge to my RN.

mslpn210

22 Posts

There are also RN jobs you can get that are Mon-Fri 8-5 .. such as at a nursing home.

Streamline2010

535 Posts

I live in western PA. LPN average straight time pay is $16/hr.

Down near Pittsburgh and the surrounding communities, nursing homes and other LTC pay $18 to $20 to start, plus benefits.

RNs here start at $22/hr, and down near Pittsburgh area the nursing home RNs make an average of $25/hr plus benefits.

Assuming a 2000-hour man-year, LPN earns straight time wages 2000x$16 = $32,000 to high of 2000x$20= $40,000

and entry level RN earns $2000x$22 = $44,000

and the $25/hr RN is $50,000.

The overall PA average for all RNs was $63,000 per year, as of Jan 2010 when the report was issued. The LPNs were more like maybe $40,000. Those are state averages for all of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) regions of the state.

So, if you have the money and the smarts, you should probably get your RN.

Specializes in Pulmonology Clinic.

Thank you everyone for the replies and advice.

I talked with my supervisor (who I also adore btw) and she said that even if there wasn't an Rn opening in the clinic, I could still keep my current position. She was very encouraging about going on and even reminded me about tuition reimbursement programs :)

So I have made up my mind! It may take a while, but I will get it.

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