With the encouragement of my family, I have started looking into an RN program. Recently, my facility has done away with LPN's, and we are all now CNA's.
In my research, just a few things to remember:
1. Be 100% sure of what (if anything) is reimbursed. There are LOT'S of expenses that are not.
2. Be mindful that your facility may not have a position for you when you complete your studies and become an RN. Not to say other facilities in your area would not hire you, but to be hired at your facility, there needs to be a position--and for most LPN's, the gateway to an RN that is feasible is an Associates. Which any number of facilities require or "prefer" a BSN.
3. If hired by your facility, be mindful that you will more than likely lose seniority, going back to square 1, as you will be a "new grad" even if you worked as an acute care LPN for 152 years. And the loss of pay could be a deal breaker.
4. Also be aware that as an RN, you more than likely will no longer be able to work as a CNA in your facility. Therefore, you would be out of a job.
Now, this is going to be worth it if you are a newer LPN, and you do not have a lot of seniority in your facility. Who it is seemingly not worth it for is the multi-year LPN's who are at a top tier pay grade with many years of seniority.
In discussing reimbursements, it is stunning how much is not paid. So be careful when you are told "we will pay for it". That is not entirely true. They will not pay for it, they will pay you back for SOME of it.
Real story: An LPN who was at the facility for 30 years was told that the job was being taken away. Demoted to a patient care associate position.
Hurry/Rush to get a ADN, which they were told that the facility would "pay for"--come to find out not even 1/4 was reimbursed. A 53 year old with student loan debt. AWESOME. not.
When said LPN received a ADN, were told that the min. requirement to work at the facility was a BSN. Also, that the position of "patient care associate" was no longer available to them, as policy dictates that an RN can not work under the scope of their license in the facility.
Said nurse left the facility, lost seniority, lost pay. Was unable to secure another nursing position. Now is looking into choices-- to get more in debt to get a BSN, and perhaps not a job (since then the original facility is on a "hiring freeze" with ratios that are unreal and bare bones staffing) or to say forget it all together and work in another field entirely.
Bottom line, if you are a newer LPN, and you would like to work in acute care, go to school sooner rather than later. Nothing guarantees a job, however, don't put your time and effort being a multi-year LPN to be without in the end.
If you are an older LPN, you may want to move out of acute care all together. Seek opportunities that an LPN can do. And each state and facility has thoughts on what an LPN can and can not do.
I am, for one, learning the hard way. And I am not sure that at my age, I am willing to play Russian roulette with my family's livelihood. I am not sure I am willing to take on more debt, with no guarantee at the end of the day. I am not sure it would be worth it.
Just my two and a half cents--we all have to make choices that are right for us.
