Considering LPN.

matthewandrew, NP · Aug 24, 2014

Why not go for RN or RN/BSN now? LVN school is way too expensive unless it's thru CC.

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UCLA FNP Class of 2016

MattCM · Aug 24, 2014

I was going to attend a community college for my LVN. I would like to go for my associates, but like I said, I have had a few nurses tell me no one is hiring. I was hoping someone would weigh in on this. I just want to get into a career fast as I can, and I have plans to further my education later, if not right after I land my first job.

RN403, BSN, RN · Aug 24, 2014

Before you enroll in an LPN program you should first do some research on the facilities in your area. Some areas do not utilize LPNs as much as others. Also, some places are not hiring LPNs into the hospital setting anymore. It all depends on where you live. You might research this before investing $ into a program.

I agree with the PP that it might be worth the $ to just go through with your BSN. I live in an area that highly favors BSN nurses so it is difficult for ADNs to find jobs, however, many do or they just travel a bit to a hospital that will hire them. You might look into hospitals a little farther from you if you are willing to travel - that will hire ADN nurses - should you choose to go the ADn route.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Aug 24, 2014

I agree with researching your market; meaning, contact local health care facilities and inquire, while looking at their postings; and see what the information is available to you.

Depending on your area, it may be best to go for the BSN; I will say as a former LPN, I had always been able to find a job, but it was always outside of the hospital: home health, ambulatory/clinic nursing, Pediatric Day care, Medicare charting, Rehab/Sub-Acute; and LTC; and my area hasn't had a nursing shortage in decades.

It has been my experience that LPN is a great example of having a foundation in becoming an RN.

Once you researched your market; if you plan on getting your BSN, PLEASE look into getting to know accreditation (Google ACEN and CCNE) and BON approved schools in your area; in this market, most jobs want to to be approved at an accredited school; not just BON

approved.

Best wishes.

MattCM · Aug 25, 2014

I'll see if I can contact a few employers and ask them how the outlook for Associates Vs Bachelors hires go in the area.

Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B · Aug 25, 2014

In my situation I had limited finances and didn't want to invest a lot of time and money in an education, for a profession I wasn't fully sure I wanted to be in. It's all well and good to want to be a nurse, but wanting and being are two very different things. I have met more then a few on this board who is highly educated, and completely unwilling to do bedside nursing. Now realizing and understanding what LPNs do most,(LTC, Home Health, corrections) and accepting I would be willing to work in those environments to decide if nursing was for me. I know I will eventually return for my RN BSN, however I'm happy I have a career that I enjoy and didn't take to much time and left me with no student loan debt. Now as a wise man once said "what might be right for you might not be right for some" so go your own way, but consider my experience.

I use my phone, to type, I work at night, and I'm a bad speller. Pick any reason you want for my misspellings

NurseGirl525, ASN, RN · Aug 25, 2014

I would think the more rural hospitals in your area would hire an ADN. The bigger cities won't but central Ohio is full of rural areas.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 25, 2014

Like the OP, I was working at a dead-end factory job when I took the plunge and decided I was going to be a nurse.

The LVN route was my salvation because, as someone with no college credits to my name, I could get into the field after 12 months of basic nursing training.

Sbrewster · Aug 25, 2014

I see a lot of negativity surrounding becoming an LPN first, and idk why! It has been my saving grace. I enrolled in an 11 month LPN Course at my local community college and graduated this past June. I have since passed the NCLEX, and began my new job at a LTC facility at the beginning of this month. (Just so you know, there is ALWAYS work for an LPN in long term care. Yes, they are being phased out of hospitals.) The hospitals around here pay LPNs around $12-$13 an hour starting out and I was making almost that working as an aid! At my new job I get MUCH better wages. I needed a better job and FAST because I had a 2 year old to raise and decided to do my community college's LPN transition program where you can transition to get your associate degree while working as an LPN. This is what I am currently doing. I'm also able to say that I am gaining valuable work experience for when I DO get my RN, so that I won't have a blank work history section on future job applications. So even if I do only get my associates RN in the beginning, I will still be more valuable than a new grad bachelor degree with ZERO experience as a nurse. Becoming an LPN first has truly been an eye opening experience to me, I would recommend it to anyone who wants to get their foot in the door but either can't afford RN school or wants to be able to work as a nurse while they are enrolled in RN school (my schools RN program is set up to where you can still work full time and attend classes). It's all up to you and your agenda and what type of programs your local schools offer!

libran1984, ASN, RN · Aug 25, 2014

My LPN at a CC was about $6,000 (including prereqs/not including books). My ASN was just under $5,000 (including coreqs AND books).

I hear u on the money issue. I work with BSNs who are paying $800/month on student loans.

Even more sadly, I know several ASNs who went to for profit schools and are paying almost as much per month on loans. Oye.

Money is such a factor and always has been

monkeyhq · Aug 25, 2014

Matt,

I am in Ohio. ADN's are frequently hired in hospitals in Ohio, even in Magnet hospitals. In the case of larger hospitals that are level 1 trauma centers, that employment is almost always conditional on getting a BSN within 5 years (in some cases, 3 years). Some even have tuition reimbursement. But, you are unlikely to be working in the ER, Cardiac surgery, ICU, etc., in a Magnet hospital. Most likely, you would be a med-surg nurse.

But these are just basics and they do not apply to every hospital in Ohio, so you need to look on some job boards for your area and see the requirements of various job openings. That will give you loads of information!

Aside from larger hospitals, physician offices, public health, outpatient surgery centers, long term care, state funded programs (child and adult mental and developmental disability programs), dialysis clinics, occupational specialty clinics, urgent care, and private duty nursing all hire ADN nurses. They rarely have BSN requirements. If you are an RN, you are an RN.

As for LPN, you can work in LTC, occupational specialty clinics, physician offices, urgent care, outpatient surgery centers, state funded programs, rehabilitation hospitals, and hospital specialties (i.e. diabetes centers, weight loss clinics, etc.).

You have options, and only you know what is best for your budget and time management. Thoroughly research what you think will work for you financially within the time frame you desire. You can always get a more advanced degree at a later date. And you have lots of options in Ohio with metropolitan, suburban, and rural areas within a short distance.

Whatever you choose, go for it! I wish you the utmost success. :-)