Becoming an LPN while in RN school

Nurses LPN/LVN

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So, I am in my last 8 months of FAMU's BSN program in Tallahassee, FL, and I take my NCLEX-PN in four days!! I found out a while back that you could challenge the boards for LPN, but could never really find much info from people who actually did it. I wanted to create a thread for other nurses who are thinking about doing the same thing!! The whole process took a couple months for me, but could have been done much faster if I had some advice from someone in the same situation.

Thinking about becoming an LPN while finishing up RN schooling?? Have any questions?? Let me know :)

ChrystalAD

It's encouraging to hear from all you LPN's who were able to make it work! :) I'm hoping to find a job where I can work two or three 10-12 hr shifts every weekend, so that I can have the weekdays off for school. We'll just have to see what opportunities I can find. I applied to two jobs today, even though I haven't gotten any official results yet. I'm hoping by the time I hear back from some of these employers, I will be ready to provide my license information.. not really sure if I can use my unofficial results to begin working though. One of my LPN friends said that would be fine until I get my license in the mail, so I'm hoping that will work.

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It's encouraging to hear from all you LPN's who were able to make it work! :) I'm hoping to find a job where I can work two or three 10-12 hr shifts every weekend, so that I can have the weekdays off for school. We'll just have to see what opportunities I can find. I applied to two jobs today, even though I haven't gotten any official results yet. I'm hoping by the time I hear back from some of these employers, I will be ready to provide my license information.. not really sure if I can use my unofficial results to begin working though. One of my LPN friends said that would be fine until I get my license in the mail, so I'm hoping that will work.

Keep in mind that, even if you get a weekend only job, your orientation will likely be day shift during the week (I guess the good news is that, if you get a job at a SNF, you're likely to get precious little orientation ...)

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My son, who is a CNA will be applying for nursing school. I am advising him to license as an LPN for that last year to ....1. make more money, and 2. The work experience even if it is in extended care, as a nurse I feel will be valuable for his self confidence as he does his clinicals the second year. If you have to work anyway why would you not?

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So I got my official license last week! So exciting!!! Now, I've been applying to job around town, and have found that I'm getting a much better response from applying in person vs online. Just a tip for any of you out there starting as a new LPN. I wasn't sure if applying in person would make a difference, but it did.. and now I have an interview this afternoon at 3pm with a home health agency, and interview tomorrow with an Alzheimer/Dimentia clinic and one on Thursday with an assisted living facility. Hopefully, of the three, one of them will hire me right??

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Goodluck;)

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
So I got my official license last week! So exciting!!! Now, I've been applying to job around town, and have found that I'm getting a much better response from applying in person vs online. Just a tip for any of you out there starting as a new LPN. I wasn't sure if applying in person would make a difference, but it did.. and now I have an interview this afternoon at 3pm with a home health agency, and interview tomorrow with an Alzheimer/Dimentia clinic and one on Thursday with an assisted living facility. Hopefully, of the three, one of them will hire me right??

Good luck. Not all areas accept in person applications (HR is offsite in many facilities depending on the country). It can't hurt to try you may be successful like above but don't get discouraged if you are referred to apply online. It depends on the area of the country and type of facility. NY/NJ/PA metro area are more likely to refer to online kiosk applications and HR/recruiters most likely off site. LTC/AL generally more likely to accept faxed or in person applications.

My home health/private duty agencies will only consider online applications unless current employee referral (but still need to submit online application)

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
So I got my official license last week! So exciting!!! Now, I've been applying to job around town, and have found that I'm getting a much better response from applying in person vs online.
Thanks for returning with an update. BTW, I received my first LVN job back in '06 by applying in person and pounding the pavement. It's easy to ignore an online application, but harder to ignore a candidate who applies in person. Good luck to you!
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Thanks for all the good luck :) I was offered a position at 2 of the 3 places I interviewed for.. the home health shut me down before I even interviewed because I have no experience. But I can understand why home health nurses need experience- since you're working alone. I accepted a position at an assisted living facility here in town working Saturdays and Sundays from 7a-7p. Starting pay is $17.50/hr and because it's an ECC facility, some of the residents have foley catheters, g-tubes, and ostomies; so I'm going to get some experience that will benefit my transition into RN. I'm through the roof excited to get started, and I can't believe how easy it was to find a decent job!!!!!! I'll keep you guys updated on my transition as a new nurse, and managing school with part-time work.

Although I haven't started yet, I have a feeling that this is going to be perfect for me until I graduate :)

I'll be in touch.. and to anyone who is thinking of trying the same thing, I'm glad to answer any questions! Can't wait to get started!

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Specializes in long term care Alzheimers Patients.

Congratulations on your new position

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Thank you @Debilpn23!!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

Congratulations!!!!! :up:

Thanks for all the good luck :) I was offered a position at 2 of the 3 places I interviewed for.. the home health shut me down before I even interviewed because I have no experience. But I can understand why home health nurses need experience- since you're working alone. I accepted a position at an assisted living facility here in town working Saturdays and Sundays from 7a-7p. Starting pay is $17.50/hr and because it's an ECC facility, some of the residents have foley catheters, g-tubes, and ostomies; so I'm going to get some experience that will benefit my transition into RN. I'm through the roof excited to get started, and I can't believe how easy it was to find a decent job!!!!!! I'll keep you guys updated on my transition as a new nurse, and managing school with part-time work.

Although I haven't started yet, I have a feeling that this is going to be perfect for me until I graduate :)

I'll be in touch.. and to anyone who is thinking of trying the same thing, I'm glad to answer any questions! Can't wait to get started!

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Hmm interesting I'm gonna check this out for my state.

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