are there other certifications I could earn

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Mar 19, 2014

There are career growth opportunities for LPNs in long term care. Talk to your DON to see what is available with your own employer. They may have training programs for charge nurse or opportunities to learn how to perform administrative tasks. Good luck on your education.

sharpeimom · Mar 19, 2014

Have you thought about doing an A.S.N. program instead? They don't take that much longer, more funding is available in the form of grants, subsidies, loans, etc. You could work as a CNA while you went and it would widen your opportunities after you graduate.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2014

are there other certifications I could earn

1. Wound care certification

2. Geriatric / long term care certification

3. IV therapy certification

4. Hospice / palliative care certification

5. Phlebotomy certification

Here.I.Stand, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2014

Piggybacking Sharpeimom's post-- I have an Associate's in Applied Science from a tech college. My school's RN program was 2 or 3 semesters more than the LPN program. As an LPN in LTC you'd be getting paid less to do a job that is very similar to that of a floor RN. Some schools though, mine included, had a bridge program where current LPNs could join the RN cohort where the LPN program left off. If that's an option and you're anxious to get started as a nurse, you could go the LPN route and work as an LPN while finishing your RN coursework.

Another thought, is since you have such a passion for geriatrics, is have you considered becoming a geriatric NP eventually? I have worked with a few, and took a Geriatric Nursing class from one as part of my RN-BSN bridge program. They are absolutely amazing primary care providers!! They have encyclopedic knowledge of the special needs of geriatric pts, and they treat the whole person in a way that is rare outside the nursing model. Just something to think about.