BSN Student looking for LPN jobs.. Don't ask, don't tell?

[Darkstar1485, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

I'm looking for LPN jobs in the state of Florida. I just challenged the NCLEX-PN. I'm tired of being a CNA. The pay is awful and I'm struggling. The problem is that I'm going to school for my BSN and I'll be done in May. I'm not sure if divulging this info to prospective employers will help or hurt me. Telling employers about school while looking for CNA job posed problems before. Jealousy and insecurity reared its ugly head in ways that I still find hard to believe.

Any advice?? Any comments would be appreciated

Thank you!!!

[caliotter3]

If you are going to work night shift while you finish school in the daytime, you need not tell them, just present your LPN license for the job. But if you are in one of those states where it makes a difference, you can not hide the information. If they want to dismiss you from the LPN job once you have an RN license, then you will be doing yourself and the prospective employer a big favor by being forthcoming in the beginning. I know what you are talking about. Was hired for LVN job while in a BSN program with promise of an RN position with RN responsibilities and RN pay. When the person who made the promises left, all of that went out the window with the new workplace politics. I would not blame you at all if you decided to keep quiet about your BSN activities. Good luck.

[Darkstar1485, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

Thanks so much for the info!!!

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

I think it depends on the setting you are interested in whether you should tell them or not. Some places might just keep you on and transition you right to an RN position when you are done with school, some don't. Our local hospitals are all union, there the LPN and RN are treated totally different. So if you took a job as an LPN you would lose that position once you are an RN, you would have a leg up on the open RN positions since you are already in their hospital system, but no guarantees. That happened to a nurse I worked with for a while, she worked as as LPN, lost her position when she graduated RN and couldn't get an RN position within the same hospital.

[xenogenetic]

My state allows you to hold both titles/licenses. I pay yearly license fees to maintain both my LPN and RN licenses (and will maintain 3 once I get my APRN). Check your state rules. As long as you are licensed as an LPN I don't think they can take your job away from you if you gain another license as an RN. Be aware, although, if something goes wrong while you are working as an LPN you will be held accountable up to the level of your highest license attained.