Career Change

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Hello. I hold a Bachelors Degree (Liberal Studies) and an Associates. My original plan was to obtain a Teaching Credential but I no longer want to pursue that.

I worked in a Doctors office for many years, started as a file clerk but they trained me doing everything. I've always missed it. I really enjoy patient care and the medical profession.

I have decided to apply to an LVN program at a nearby community college. I'd like to work in a nursing home. I'm at the point in my life where after being a stay at home Mom for a few years, it's time for me to help the household financially. My degree doesn't help me too much in finding a job because it isn't specific. I need to get something going now and LVN seems right for me. Then maybe RN later. I'm honestly doing this because I enjoy it and also the money. I want to be open about this.

I I do not like blood or poop, but I can handle it with proper precautions.

I'd like to ask a couple questions and thank you for your help.

1) Will my Bachelors degree and AA help me in any way as far as hiring and pay?

2) Will the LVN program be as challenging as it was obtaining my degree? would you consider me better prepared than someone with no prior higher education?

3) can you wear a mask when handling bodily fluids or feces to avoid smells?

Im getting nervous reading about how challenging the course is, but I keep telling myself I've been through college so I can get through this too...

any advice appreciated and thank you for your time

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I am 40 years old and in LPN school. I had previously worked in an elementary as an aide for special needs kids. Loved it,loved them, but the pay was not enough. I think you are smart to pick nursing, it is a profession that will always have jobs available. I took several college courses prior to nursing school and I find nursing school extremely challenging. Interesting, rewarding, but challenging. I believe you should be able to wear a mask to help with the handling of body fluids.

Best of luck

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Specializes in Hospice.

With your BA and previous associates degree, you might look into an advanced placement RN program. The programs are designed for people just like you, and usually take only 12-15 months to complete, and you'll be able to sit for the NCLEX RN at the end.

Many community colleges have advanced placement programs.

As much as I like being an LPN, the job opportunities are more abundant with the letters RN after your name. Even in a LTC facility, as an LPN you will find that you will be limited (In most places) to being a floor nurse. In most cases, for any nursing positions above that, you will need to be a RN.

I've been doing the LPN floor nurse thing for nearly 10 years now, and as fulfilling as it is, it does get old. I'm currently finishing my RN, and I'm looking forward to doing more than passing pills.

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Thank you both for your replies.

Im not familiar with advanced placement RN program I'll have to look that up. Thank you guys!

Im hoping my degree will offer me something in this world...

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I'm more confused now.

Can someone explain the different programs?

rn

adn

lvn

Bridge lvn - rn

apn?

thanks

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Specializes in Psych, LTC/SNF, Rehab, Corrections.
I'm more confused now.

Can someone explain the different programs?

rn

adn

lvn

Bridge lvn - rn

apn?

thanks

RN - A registered nurse. They can have a diploma or 2 to 4 year degree and beyond. RN

ADN - RN with 2 year degree, usually community college. RN, ADN

BSN - RN with 4 year degree, usually university level. RN, BSN

RN 'generic' - A degree option to obtain the RN. It's usually a 4 year degree option and taken up by those who've never been nurses.

LVN - A licensed vocational nurse. LVN.

LVN/LPN - Same thing. Depends on state. I'm from Texas, where I was an LVocationalN. Now, I'm in Florida where I an LPracticalN.

LVN 'Bridge' program - A 10 month to 15 month (if day schedule) program for LVN/LPNs desiring to be RNs. Sometimes, you join 'generic RN' students.

APN - Advanced Practice Nurses. It's at the grad level.

There are LVN to BSN programs which entails... LVNs enrolled in BSN programs. (laugh) At the end, you will be given your RN and BSN.

Anyway, a mask doesn't block odor.

...and wearing a mask 'just because' shouldn't be entertained by your instructor. There's no need to 'gown up' if youre not sick and the pt's not spewing anything.

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Specializes in peds, allergy-asthma, ob/gyn office.

I would say go for RN. LPNs, from what I read on here, are mostly utilized in long term care... not good if you have problems with smells and bodily fluids. Please remember though, that in nursing school, whether it's RN or LPN program, you will be around to all of these things. Where I live, LVNs are still utilized some in the hospital, widely in the hospital-owned outpatient clinics, private MD practices, and the prison system. I am a physician office nurse at heart. Haven't worked the hospital floor in 20 years.

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If you enjoy interaction with patients and want to get a bit more "hands on" experience with patient care, you could consider getting your EMT cert and volunteering. This option will depend largely on where you live but in many parts of the country, Fire and EMS are staffed by volunteers (though many are now a combination of paid and volunteer personnel). Running with an ambulance crew gives you the opportunity to provide some level of care and gets you comfortable with more intense patient interaction. Your local fire department may even pay for your EMT training.

As to nursing itself, becoming an RN was a late attempted career change for me. Nursing school itself is fairly demanding, but very doable for most. I attended an evening/weekend program at my local CC to get my RN and then completed a RN-BSN program on-line. My path was a bit shorter than for many others however as I already had both bachelor's and master's degrees and so had many of the tougher pre-reqs (Chem, Bio, Stats, etc) out of the way. I worked full-time though, which meant a busy life with clinicals all day every weekend for the first two years. I'll add that this was a very low cost way to the BSN - the total cost in my case was less than $15k, including books, uniforms & equipment.

Getting the degree and the license is the easy part however: In my opinion, the biggest challenge to those contemplating a career change to nursing is age. There is presently a significant surplus of RN's in most parts of the US (rural areas tend to be the exception) and new nursing grads face a tough time getting that first job after graduation. This seems to be compounded in the case of older grads. For whatever reason, employers at least in the areas I've surveyed, appears to be very reluctant to hire older new grads.

Bottom line is that the career change you're contemplating is eminently doable but before making the considerable commitment required, I'd be sure that it's really what you want to do and that you have a reasonable shot at getting employed after graduation.

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