cant decide lpn vs rn

[sam1971]

So I was originally going to apply to the RN program but I'm now reconsidering. My goal is to work in home health where I know the norm is to hire both LPN's and RN's.

I was visiting our state's (Illinois) employment web site and under the list of "In Demand" occupations is LPN. RN was no where on the list. I thought that really surprising. Then I was looking at the job ads on craigslist and I found that for home health the pay difference between a LPN and RN is only $3. Again, I was surprised. I guess "shocked" would describe what I was feeling more accurately.

So here I sit. If my goal is to do home health, is the extra stress and additional year of school really worth it?

[pmabraham, BSN, RN]

Good day, sam1971:

I recommend expanding your research and compare the RN vs LPN to the types of environment you want to work in as well as whether you are comparing apples to oranges. I.e. what specific positions and years of experience did the LPN's who make with $3/hour of the RN's have compared to the years of experience and position with RN's. Almost any statistic can be manipulated to lift something up or put something down.

Check local employment sites and papers to start counting the number of new openings for RN's, LPN's, etc. as well as years experienced required for either position. Check around if anyone is hiring new grads for either type.

Thank you.

[Livetoride]

You can always start at LPN and if you wanted to at some point to bridge to RN, you can.

[Shayboo]

I would go for RN, but it all depends on what you want to do and where you want to work. I can't believe the pay difference is so small-here in SC I believe the norm for a LPN is about $12. Again, it just depends on where you want to go with your career. Good luck to you!