figuring out my "adult life", need help ...

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

okay several questions here, first off, i've started the family life, i have two wonderful daughters and a supportive husband, now comes the career part of my life, i always knew i wanted something like nursing but i didn't know where to start. now that my girls are a little more independant i'm ready to begin the LPN classes at our area vo-tech, i take the NETest in february(hopefully i studied enough), and i'll know by april if i begin classes in july. now to the questions - i know everyone is different and likes different areas, but is it better to work at a hospital or in a clinic or even in home health care? if you work in a hospital what duties do you have there and is the pay at least decent? if you work in home health what do you do in that area and are the hours more flexible? i know i want to move on into an RN later down the line and nursing is what i really like but i also don't want it to take all of my time, i want to still be there for my family and yes sacrifices will have to be made. there are so many options i really don't know what way to go, it all depends on me getting into the classes first off. i do have my medical assistant certification but i cannot find a job because everyone wants someone with experience. the medical assistant i thought was perfect for now because i'm still in there, just not as hands on as the nurses and i wanted to do that until both my daughters were in school before i started school, but since i can't find a dr. who's willing to take on someone with no experience i decided to go ahead with the nursing. as for the cna, i can't handle doing that work day after day. anyways thanks for letting me get this out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med-Surg, Geriatric, Behavioral Health.

Moved to LPN/LVN Corner for better visibility and member feedback.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in RN- Med/surg.

Good luck to you...and good for you for wanting to further your education.

Different areas are just so.....different. Where I live...pay in a clinic/home health/county work....is about 60% of the going pay for nurses. But...hours are more flexible. Hospital pays better...but hours aren't as flexible....depending on the facility.

Really...I say just start school. I'm working CCU...and NEVER thought I'd want to do it. It terrified me. I didn't care for it until the last semester of school...when I started feeling like I *kinda* knew what I was doing and was doing clinicals in the CCU. I discovered I Loved it. For 4 years I thought I was going to school with the goal of OB nurse.

You'll find your niche

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

In my area, nursing homes and skilled nursing facilities pay LPNs/LVNs significantly more money than hospitals and clinics. Where I live, the LPN pay rates for hospitals and clinics are deplorable. However, the home health agencies in my area pay decently.

Be aware that hospital employment opportunities for LPNs are on the decline in certain regions, as many facilities push for an all-RN staff. LPN job opportunities are abundant in home health, long term care (nursing homes), rehab, hospice, psychiatric nursing, outpatient clinics, and assisted living facilities.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
okay several questions here, first off, i've started the family life, i have two wonderful daughters and a supportive husband, now comes the career part of my life, i always knew i wanted something like nursing but i didn't know where to start. now that my girls are a little more independant i'm ready to begin the LPN classes at our area vo-tech, i take the NETest in february(hopefully i studied enough), and i'll know by april if i begin classes in july. now to the questions - i know everyone is different and likes different areas, but is it better to work at a hospital or in a clinic or even in home health care? if you work in a hospital what duties do you have there and is the pay at least decent? if you work in home health what do you do in that area and are the hours more flexible? i know i want to move on into an RN later down the line and nursing is what i really like but i also don't want it to take all of my time, i want to still be there for my family and yes sacrifices will have to be made. there are so many options i really don't know what way to go, it all depends on me getting into the classes first off. i do have my medical assistant certification but i cannot find a job because everyone wants someone with experience. the medical assistant i thought was perfect for now because i'm still in there, just not as hands on as the nurses and i wanted to do that until both my daughters were in school before i started school, but since i can't find a dr. who's willing to take on someone with no experience i decided to go ahead with the nursing. as for the cna, i can't handle doing that work day after day. anyways thanks for letting me get this out.

If you haven't done so already, get the study guide for the net test. It is exactly like the test since the same company makes both the test and the study guide. Although it costs about $30, it's well worth it. I scored in the 96 percentile. You can get the study guide at most bookstores, but they are usually sold out. I got mine directly from the publisher at http://www.eriworld.com

Good luck!

--Marci

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment