Financial Assistance Question

Yes, mollyz, please don't bother with a LPN education. They are an underpaid, dying breed. Few hospitals use LPNs much anymore, leaving the options of clinics and LTC homes, neither of which pay much. If you are going to invest a couple of years in an education, please go to a RN school. You can get an ASN/ADN from many 2 year schools and have soooo many more options. I have heard some say "well, I can get into LPN school right away...", why do you think that is? The demand for LPNs is shrinking. I hope I haven't scared you off completely, mollyz. I just know several LPNs and they all say the same thing and several of them are currently enrolled or are nearly enrolled in RN classes and VERY pissed offf that they spent $10,000 on an education that doesn't do them much goog. Good luck, glb

For some, becoming an LPN is very rewarding. There are some hospitals, depending on your area, that utilize LPNs. I have seen many friends very satisfied with becoming an LPN and staying in that role; others have gone on to become RN's. I was lucky, the school that I went to did allow the easy transition of LPN to RN with a specific program. Our University had an RN to BSN completion program; lucky me.

Is being an LPN rewarding? I think it may be for many. For that matter, is being an RN rewarding (another thread)? Certainly, becoming an LPN is a faster track in getting you into the work force. You can, if you desire at a later time, transition to becoming a RN (for whatever reason).

To say that an LPN track is a waste of time is, IMHO, disrespectful to the many excellent and hard working LPNs in the workforce. I do not think this was the intent but it can get interpreted that way.

Please be careful to consider the many people who view this Bulletin Board. We here at AllNurses are respectful and thankful for the many varied Nurses (LPN's, RN's, and Nurse Assistants or CNA's) alike.

I'm not sure where you are, but here in Duluth, St Scholastica has a new program offered for students who have a prior bachelor's to receive their BSN - it's a summer-fall-spring-summer program (so about the same as an LPN program when you think about a waiting list and pre-reqs anyway) - I know there are some like this in the Cities area, too. Is that an option for you?

Boy O Boy ..what is this we have gone from financial aid to LVN bashing. I happen to like being a LVN and would not trade the experience for anything. You know there are some LVN's on here that have no desire to be RN's but most are like me working toward being a RN. However, that does not mean we have no place to work or "our breed is a dying one" it just means we want more opportunities. And whats wrong with working in a clinic or a nursing home. Just because one does not work in a hospital doesnt mean they are less valuable. Just for the record I got paid alot more than most hospital nurses working as a supervisor in a LTC area. Older people need care to you know. The reason people cant get into LVN programs is not because "our demand is shrinking" but because the classes fill up quick and there are waiting list. This is just plain disrespectful to to all of us who are proud to be "just LVN's".

Now back to the OP well there are plenty of scholarships open to people wanting to get into nursing and then there are employers that will pay (whole or partial) for you to go to school if you sign a contract with them. Then there is always the accelerated RN tracks for people with bachelors degrees,check out each schools FA section you can get a good idea about whats avaliable. If you really want to be a nurse there is a way to make it happen.. good luck to you...

Yes, mollyz, please don't bother with a LPN education. They are an underpaid, dying breed. Few hospitals use LPNs much anymore, leaving the options of clinics and LTC homes, neither of which pay much. If you are going to invest a couple of years in an education, please go to a RN school. You can get an ASN/ADN from many 2 year schools and have soooo many more options. I have heard some say "well, I can get into LPN school right away...", why do you think that is? The demand for LPNs is shrinking. I hope I haven't scared you off completely, mollyz. I just know several LPNs and they all say the same thing and several of them are currently enrolled or are nearly enrolled in RN classes and VERY pissed offf that they spent $10,000 on an education that doesn't do them much goog. Good luck, glb