Former Actress Seeking New Life!! Needs Advice!!

[chicagogirl]

Hello--I have really loved viewing this website in my searches for a new career...and I decided to join!

I would like to ask a question about LPN or LVN versus RN admission.

I have worked as a biofeedback therapist and eeg/sleep tech for fifteen years in a Chicago hospital while doing non-equity theatre in Chicago. My department closed and I continued working in theatre and the arts. This pays very little (!) and I truly miss patient interaction and running around constantly on my feet. I taught classes at the hospital and had tons of one-on-one time with patients. It was truly an ideal job for me.

I have been looking into prerequisites for the Chicago City Colleges for the LPN programs...and have been recently told I should seriously consider the RN Program. My question is: LPN or RN? How competitive are both of these programs? I am envisioning long waiting lists...

Is it possible to apply for both programs, and if I am not accepted into the RN program...eventually bridge from an LPN career to the RN Program??

Help!

Thank you!!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

thread moved for best response.

Welcome!

[sMoLsNurse]

There are far more opportunities for RNs than LPNs. My vote is go for your RN.

[MrChicagoRN, RN]

Where do you want to work? There is very little demand for LPN in the acute care setting in Chicago.

What about the many other technician roles? PTA, OTA, EKG, imaging, etc, etc...

[chicagogirl]

Thank you!

[chicagogirl]

You are right...I have even been looking into OT...

Thank you for your thoughts.

[hmowry]

I don't have any advice, but I wanted to say hi, since I was an actress in a former life (a few years back). I wonder if there's something similar between nursing and theatre that has attracted us both? Running around, pressure, thinking on your feet. Anyway, welcome!

[Livetoride]

I wanted to say hi and every nurse I've ever talked to where I previously lived and here tell me RN is the best route. I'm being advised to jump ahead and to achieve my BSN while I'm at it according to my academic advisor if I plan to work in an acute setting.

Good luck with whatever you choose!

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

It honestly depends on what you want to do. The scope of practice for a LPN and RN are different. One is not any better than the either they just have differing scopes of practice. Do some research and see what works best for you. The midwest is not an impacted area so there shouldn't be huge waiting lists to get into schools. I live close to Indianapolis and there really isn't an issue here. It's basically whether your grades in the prereqs and either Teas or Hesi are good enough to get in the program. I would call around to different schools and see what you need to do to get in the program. Also I agree with the pp that said there are lots of other jobs in the medical field. There are Rad Techs, nuclear medicine techs, respiratory therapists, Ptas, so much stuff you can do. I would do some research.