Baltimore lady trying to decide on LPN

[tabby wants LPN]

hey everyone,

new to the site but have read a lot of the post. i am very much interested in going to lpn school. of course here in maryland only community colleges offer the porgram so i've explored options for schools outside of md. of course there are the many schools in dc (vmt, comprehensive etc) that off the 1 year programs but they do not offer financial assistance and not to mention dc traffic parking or trying to take the train. i am a single mother of 3 and i need to work full-time. i do have a friend that graduated from vmt but our situations are different. then i explored the schools in pa. they do offer financial aid, pell grants etc but its a little further and i havent heard of anyone from md that actually completed any pa lpn school. and lastly, i've heard people say going to be an lpn is a waste of time because they dont use lpn's anymore except in nursing homes and medication assistants make about the same and do the same duties.

i know this is a lot but i'm just trying to get as much info as i can so i can be sure im making a good decision and solid career change for me and my kids....

thanks!:heartbeat

[natrgrrl]

I don't have any knowledge of nursing on the east coast but I do know how scary it is to think about career change when you have kids at home. What you do not only affects your life but your kids' lives, too.

Here in the Midwest, there are quite a few LPNs that work in offices but nursing home jobs are readily available. Are you specifically looking to work in a hospital or is it that you do not want to work in a nursing home?

Have you checked the want ads and hospital and clinic websites to see what to expect as an LPN? And don't forget about home health.

If you are really interested in working in a hospital, there are many career choices to choose from, including nursing. You might try to get hired as a phlebotomist or tech so you can get your foot in the door before you start nursing school.

[tabby wants LPN]

thanks for the enocouragement...I've done a lot of research and here in Baltimore the big demand is in nursing homes but I have seen LPN positions in hospitals and home care thru agencies. I would prefer to work in a hospital or private duty but I do understand I will probably have to work in a nursing home for 6 months to 1 yr just to get the experience required for hospitals or home health care.

[Jules A, MSN]

thanks for the enocouragement...I've done a lot of research and here in Baltimore the big demand is in nursing homes but I have seen LPN positions in hospitals and home care thru agencies. I would prefer to work in a hospital or private duty but I do understand I will probably have to work in a nursing home for 6 months to 1 yr just to get the experience required for hospitals or home health care.

This is a very realistic way to look at it and there are many LPN to RN bridge programs in the Balto. area if you decide you want to continue in school. I'm curious as to why you aren't applying to one of the many CC LPN programs? They a great deal, fast and close to home.

[tabby wants LPN]

Well I've looked into the community colleges and they are all fine but i need the fastest program at this point. I do want to continue to my RN but I really need to be able to work while im in school. Completing the program in 1 year is a lot more feasable than at the cc with the pre-req's.