Are LTC facilities still hiring LPNs?

[Ling07]

I currently work in LTC and I'm thinking about pursuing LPN. I already have a Bachelors degree but I would like to be a nurse. The facility I currently work at hired three new RNs. No LPNs. The LPNs that work there have years of experience. So I was just curious, would be wasting my time pursuing LPN.

[caliotter3]

Of course, they will hire an RN who walks in the door, but that does not mean they wouldn't hire an LPN. You have to go to an area or a facility that has not been inundated by out of work RNs. Remember, the majority of RNs, as LPNs, don't want anything to do with LTC, unless they are desperate for work.

[bklynbaby]

LTC facilities definitely still hire LPNs. So its definitely not a waste of money.

One question, Do you eventually plan on pursuing a RN? If so, there are many programs for second degree students such as yourself. Im not sure what part of the country you are in but in NY there are many schools : NYU, Columbia, Pace and Stony Brook University that have programs specifically for people that already have a bachelors degree who now want to pursue nursing. Most of these programs are about 12-18 months long. You would just have to take the nursing prerequisites before getting accepted.

So go ahead and do the LPN you will love it. And if you decide to pursue a RN later, being an LPN will definitely give you an advantage and you can just look up second degree programs in you area.

[rapkeygurl]

I am an LVN have been for 20 years now working on my RN, I really have loved ltc, but... seems like most everyone lately does not have the work ethic as I have seen before and that is depressing. I am not sure if I will stay in LTC when I get finished with school. for several reasons, they dont offer insurance where I work they say they do but it does not cover anything in the local hospital. the other problem is they seem to tie your hands in ltc, a lot of cheifs but not enough indians, I have to beg to just get a weight I need for an MDS and this is getting old to have to pull and put out notes that weekly assessments are not done or if done-- not accurate. the nurse aide flow sheets-- they are coding independent and theses people are needing help to the toilet and to bed etc.. it gets old and seems like no one really realizes that this is how the facility gets reimbursement and seems like with the new MDS 3.0 we will never have anything due to the reinbursement based on documentation. oh it is monday but feeling very ineffective

[kajunnurse]

If you eventually want to pursue your RN make sure you attend a school that will allow your Art and Science courses such as chem, A&P, micro biology, English, maths etc. transfer to other colleges as actual college credit courses. Most Votec schools who offer LPN programs do not offer classes qualify as college credit hours so if you decide to pursue you RN you will have to retake a lot of classes. It is a good profession and you can make descent money if you hustle. Since you already have a college degree have you thought about an accelerated program?I work at an LTC and we hire a lot of LPNs. In our area most LTC facilities hire more LPNs.

[DPRN]

Just hired an LPN today!