Career Change to Nursing...

loriangel14, RN · Oct 5, 2016

Yes many people become LVNs first. There is nothing wrong with that route. You are certainly not too old. You will find many threads on here about that. Plenty of people start in their 40s, 50s and the odd ones older than that.

You cannot become a nurse online. Any nursing program is going to have a clinical component where you will work hundreds of hours in clinical settings to get a hands on education.

Good luck.

Sour Lemon · Oct 5, 2016

Hi,
i joined this site since it seems like it has a lot of helpful advice for the nursing field. So, about me, I got my BA in Economics and since then have worked in real estate billing and education (yeeehaw!). However, I'm ready for a change since I really dislike monotonous desk jobs and had enough of teaching. I am now looking into starting out by getting my LVN degree (I live in Texas) and changing careers into health care. I understand that nursing isn't an easy job, but I like helping people (preferably in a collegial atmosphere). I want to go into a job with security and satisfaction.
Is getting my LVN degree and later working towards becoming a RN a good move? I'm 31, which isn't too old, but I'm not 22 either.
Any other advice? I admit I'm a newbie and any help on getting into nursing would be helpful. Are there any reputable online degree programs? Or is a brick and mortar degree program best?
Thanks! :-)

There are no online LVN programs. You will have to attend class and there is a clinical component that must be completed at various clinical sites.

LVN is still pretty marketable in many parts of Texas.

Although you will get to "help people", you'll probably be a lot more rushed than what you're imagining. There's not much time for hand-holding and expressing concern.

You're relatively young, or at least not too old ...assuming you're an average, healthy person.

AustinTJC · Oct 5, 2016

Thanks for the replies :-).

Ok then, I prefer learning in a traditional setting and not online, so that's fine with me. I know that community colleges offer LVN programs; Is it more important to go to a traditional school? Or is a community college okay? I know in the business world a lot of it is where you went to school, but unsure if in the nursing field it's more about if you can pass the NCLEX and not as much as the school you attended. I also know that nurses are usually busy and on-the-go, so it won't be like what you see on TV, where the patient and nurse are having a dramatic conversation with music in the background lol. :-)

Lastly, is the most likely path for a LVN to become a RN? Or could I realistically branch out from there to other areas?

Thanks again :-)!

Sour Lemon · Oct 5, 2016

Lastly, is the most likely path for a LVN to become a RN? Or could I realistically branch out from there to other areas?
Thanks again :-)!

Community college is fine. In fact, it's preferable to for profit schools and I'm not sure there are university degrees for LVN ...never heard of that, at least.

There are many bridge programs from LVN to RN. That would be the most logical advancement.

nlb0101 · Oct 5, 2016

Personally, I generally recommend that anyone who really wants to be a nurse go ahead and go for your RN from the beginning unless you have extenuating factors, such as not being able to afford the program or not being comfortable with going back to school for longer. Perhaps things are different in Texas, but in most areas, you will make more money and have significantly more opportunities as an RN. LPNs tend to be limited as to where they can even get hired.

As to where to go to school, I would say definitely do your research as to costs, length of the program, pass rates, etc. In my experience, employers have never cared one bit where I went to school. I'm an LPN in MO fyi. However, the school you attend could affect your ability to get a job somewhere based on your clinical experiences. If I were you, I would look into clinical sites for programs you're interested in. That way, you can try to get into a clinical held at a facility you want to work in. You can build relationships there and see how things are before you apply.

And as always, I recommend shadowing nurses before you make your decision to go into nursing. Good luck.

AustinTJC · Oct 5, 2016

Thanks for the additional replies, they are helpful :-)

AustinTJC · Oct 6, 2016

Also, if I eschewed the LVN route and went to a RN as suggested, would an Associate degree be ok to start with, then finish the BSN later? Or is a BSN the best way to go? Thx for the help! :-)

Sour Lemon · Oct 6, 2016

Also, if I eschewed the LVN route and went to a RN as suggested, would an Associate degree be ok to start with, then finish the BSN later? Or is a BSN the best way to go? Thx for the help! :-)

That's a pretty hotly debated topic. Some things to consider:

What do you hope to do with your degree? Do you want to move "up" in nursing or are you content working the floor? Are you feeling very particular about the specialty you'd like to work in? How "friendly" in the nursing market in your city? How much willpower will you have to return to school if you stop short of your highest goal? How will you be paying for this degree? How soon do you need to work? Are you willing to move if needed?

I graduated in a fairly easy market and enjoy working in med surg. I also paid for my degree with student loans and needed to get to work as quickly as possible. An ADN made perfect sense for me.

If I were in a less friendly market, had a strong desire to work in a highly sought-after specialty, was unable to move for work and my education was funded by my well-off parents, a BSN might have made more sense.

AustinTJC · Oct 6, 2016

I think I'd go the same route as you of waiting for the BSN and getting the degree that got me to work the fastest. My wife and I plan on moving out of Austin to either Houston or DFW, although we are willing to relocate after school (I qualify for in-state tuition in TX, so aiming for somewhere in Texas for school. I will need to take loans out for my school and want to start a new career as soon as I can. I really dislike the corporate office world and think I can put my people skills to work (I am classified as an ESFP, as per the Myers-Brigg test). I realize much of health care is run by suits up top and is corporate, but I'd like the human side of it, so maybe I would be happiest on the floor or working in a doctor's office.

BrendanO, MSN, RN · Oct 6, 2016

Since you already have an undergraduate degree, you might also look into the direct-entry MSN/RN programs, too, as your possible second step after LVN. UTA has one.

JerseyTomatoMDCrab, BSN · Oct 6, 2016

I know of several schools that have BA to BSN programs. Several of my former coworkers attended them. It's very intensive, usually 18 months of year round schooling.

Speaking from my own experiences, once I graduated and was looking for work I was very glad that I got my RN/BSN all in one shot. Most if not all of the hospitals I applied to wanted BSN as a minimum requirement. They were also phasing out LVNs or having them work as techs. I knew several LVNs working in skilled nursing or rehab facilities though. This was in NJ, I'm not sure of the demand for LVNs across the rest of the country. Let us know what you decide!