Become an LPN? Please advise...

2bNurseguru · Jul 27, 2006

please see my thread--vote-should I change career mid-life? for great advice on this topic. It helped me make a decision on what to do. Follow your heart and listen to the great advice from people on this forum.

I have LPN friends who really seem to enjoy what they do but I personally don't have any experience in it.

Good luck.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2006

My friend and I are both newer LPNs with less than one year of experience. She earns $20 hourly at a nursing home. I earn $18.50 at another local nursing home. Be advised that LPN wages are influenced by the supply and demand of your local geographic area. We live and work in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas. In my metro area, the vast majority of LPN job opportunities are in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, not hospitals.

My friend earned a B.S. in public health five years ago from Dillard University, yet the highest-paying position she was able to land with that degree paid a whopping $12 hourly. She attended LPN school from 2004 to 2005 and does not regret her decision. Her pay has nearly doubled.

I paid $20,000 to attend a private technical LVN program last year and do not regret my decision, either. Some people on this board will try to persuade you to not spend the $10,000 on an LPN program. The expensive tuition was worth it to me because I avoided the waiting lists and long slew of prerequisite classes. Ultimately the decision is yours. Good luck with whatever decision you eventually make.

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jul 27, 2006

Well, I'm quite sure there are others more qualified to speak about the specifics of becoming an LPN, but I can address a few of your comments.

The first thing that strikes me is that you should really, REALLY look into what an LPN actually does before throwing your hat in the ring and saying "that's for me". You can't possibly know if nursing is right for you if you don't know much about it, and from what you've said, I'm not sure you do. While money and job security are GREAT motivating factors, how do you know you'd like an LPN job any better than what you have now? You ONLY have money motivating you, so I'm not so sure.

As for the money--again, someone who is an LPN in PA might be better able to answer this--what your friend quoted sounds rather high. You also might want to check into what the demand is in your area for LPNs, and what kind of facilities are looking--and if you like those kinds of environments.

Around here, no hospitals are hiring LPNs, only MD offices and LTC facilities. Would this make a difference to you?

What kind of wait list is there in your area for nursing schools?

Just like your first degree sounded appealing at the time, please make sure you research this very well before deciding it's right for you--will either strengthen your resolve to do it, or make you realize it's a mistake. Either way, getting alot more info is key! :)

This is a great site for gathering some information for starters.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2006

Also, please browse through this site's own LPN Forum. :)

http://www.allnurses.com/forums/f99/

CyndieRN2007 · Jul 27, 2006

First of all, I'm sorry that you are unhappy with your current job after getting a degree in that field. That is unfortunate.

However, I'm sure other people on this board will tell you that nursing is something that you are called to, not JUST for more money. Dont get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with wanting a good paying career. Nursing is definately a career that can offer financial stability. However, again, nursing is more than just earning a paycheck, its wanting to care for our fellow man. With all that comes a physical and mental toll, long hours, etc.

My advice to you is to talk to a few nurses in different fields and ask them about what they like and dislike about nursing. Then to see if nursing is for you, start out my getting your CNA. Basic patient care is the foundation of nursing and will give you a view of what nurses do on a day to day basis.

Hope this helps, Good luck to you!

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jul 27, 2006

and in the time it took me to post that message, lol, two more people came on and Commuter said kinda what I did .

LA,T-BONE · Jul 27, 2006

it's never to late to go back to school. Nurses learn more every day. Best of luck. do remember to never go into nursing for money, you have to love it to be a good one

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2006

do remember to never go into nursing for money, you have to love it to be a good one

This is true. I wanted a career that involved helping people and feeling a sense of purpose. My previous factory job paid decently, but I hated every minute of it.

If you become a nurse solely for the extra money, you will definitely fizzle out within a few years and the expensive education will go to waste.

ruby04 · Jul 27, 2006

Thank you to everyone who has responded so far! Your input is greatly appreciated.

I'm going to shadow nurses in a local hospital and nursing home next week.

And, contrary to one post, my sole motivation for looking at nursing is not the $. Sorry if I came off that way.

Yes, the $ and job security will be a HUGE plus compaired to what I have now, but I also want a career I can be proud of. ie, help people, acomplish something meangful everyday and enjoy what I do.

I actually became interested in nursing several months ago when my grandfather passed. I got to know several of his in home nurses and was surprised to learn how much they really helped by coming in for a few hours a day. I'd honestly never had much contact with people in the medical profession before that. Those nurses sparked my interest in nursing, but I'm only now starting to considor it as a profession.

I do have one more question tho. What's the difference between working in a doctor's office and a hospital/nursing home? The hours seem better, so I'm guessing it's less $ and more paper work??

WSU_Ally_RN, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2006

I didn't fully read each post, so I do appoligize if I am repeating someone else, but have you thought about an RN? I'm not too sure where you are located, but I know here in Dayton, OH where I went to school, someone that already has a bachlor's degree in anything is able to apply for an accelerated BSN program that takes 2 years. In my opinion, if you are thinking about becomming an RN later on, if you have the opportunity to do it this way, it kills two birds with one stone. It takes a little longer and maybe a little more money, but in the long run, going to school twice probably will take longer and more money. Good luck!

RNsRWe, ASN, RN · Jul 27, 2006

I do have one more question tho. What's the difference between working in a doctor's office and a hospital/nursing home? The hours seem better, so I'm guessing it's less $ and more paper work??

The difference between a doctor's office and a nursing home is HUGE. Immense. In the former you are checking in patients one at a time, doing height/weight/bp, etc. Depending on what's needed, of course, you would be giving vaccinations. You have those patients for a half hour, an hour, then they're out the door. You work 'normal' hours. You can absolutely expect less pay than someone who is in a nursing home. I don't know about paperwork; seems the charting would be pretty hefty in LTC.

A nursing home, that's anywhere from several to dozens of patients under your care (under the RN's care, but they're your patients too). An LPN classmate of mine (in RN school) was responsible for passing meds to 40 patients each night. That's 40 people for shots, pills, tube feeds, creams, and so on. Plus a whole lotta care. They definitely get paid more.

I know an LPN in my kids' peds office who gave up LTC and about 8 bucks an hour more for the pediatrician's less frantic pace and better hours, better work environment.

Obviously, it's going to vary considerably by situation and area, but that's what I know :)