Advice needed before it's too late please

[Kelz abbey]

Hello everyone, My name is Abbey (pronounced ah-bay) I'm 21 and I live near Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. I recently tried to enter a RN program at a community college near me but all didn't work out as planned so now I am starting a LPN program in June. I am excited to start this program but every now and then I have read online about how people can not find a job as LPNs. In the midst of all these sad stories I read about, I also meet people at my job(as a bank teller) who are currently working as LPNs and they are doing fine. I'm just confused as to whether or not it is wise to go on and do this program. I currently do not know how well LPNs are doing around where I live as I just moved here about a year ago. I also wonder how much fresh LPN graduates make around here.I would like someone, anyone who has gone through this stage of confusion that I'm in now to please help me out.. I truly want to be a nurse and every time I see someone wearing a scrub I can't help but imagine myself in one. Every and any advice would be appreciated. Lastly, I don't know if this is the right forum to post this, it's my first day on the website.. Thanks.

[Zyprexa_Ho]

Perhaps try posting in your state's nursing sub-forum on here to get information from current nurses in your area?

[WookieeRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

I am from Philly and can give you some insight. I used to work for a healthcare staffing agency that dealt with LPNs in the Philly area and wages were around $23-28/hr with at least 1 year of experience. We didn't take unexperienced nurses, but they probably make a little less than that range.

Don't expect to work in a hospital in the area with an LPN. They were phased out years ago. You will most likely finding jobs in LTC, etc. I'm not sure how the job market is for new LPNs.

[Kelz abbey]

thanks a lot @beachyrn2be. the question is how do i gain experience while i am in school? i am also considering taking a phlebotomy training.