Future of LPNs

amylpn24 · Mar 28, 2008

I've been wanting to become an LPN but I'm frustrated. I remember reading something a while back about LPNs being phased out. I thought it was true because there are no LPN programs in my area of Northern Nevada. I see a few job ads for LPNs. I want to start as a practical nurse and work on my RN while I'm working as a nurse. Anyone else have this problem?

Don't bother going to school to be an LN first. It is a waste of both money and time. Yes, it takes longer to get your RN but it is well worth it. There is no need to pay twice to learn how to do the same thing. The extra money you make after finishing school for the second time will not even begin to cover your loans.

NoWaNrN, ASN, RN · Mar 28, 2008

I went for my LPN first then My RN, I did this so I could make more money working less hours while in school for my RN. I figured make 9 bucks an hour for 12 months then make 16-18 while I'm in school for my RN, vs making 9 for 4 years. Whatever is best for you n your family. Good luck

muchaneta · Mar 29, 2008

I've been wanting to become an LPN but I'm frustrated. I remember reading something a while back about LPNs being phased out. I thought it was true because there are no LPN programs in my area of Northern Nevada. I see a few job ads for LPNs. I want to start as a practical nurse and work on my RN while I'm working as a nurse. Anyone else have this problem?

I wouldn't listen to people telling you that LPN school is a waste of time and money. It was well worth my time. I'm also working on getting my RN and I was recently licensed as an LPN. You'll be making a "decent living" while pursuing your career. Go for it!!!

RN_Pursuit2b · Mar 29, 2008

Thank you all for your most valuable insight!

seneyka · Mar 30, 2008

I would suggest you go to an RN program. It's no problem with LPN, it's just the process of going back and the job opportunities for LPN is not many!

Advantage:

-After finishing around 2 med-surg quarters, mostly you can apply to job at hospital for position called "REgistered Technician", hospitals here pay around $15/hr for RN student nurses! More Registered Technician (RT) jobs are offered than LPN in hospitals. And $15/hr is what LPN makes in hospitals (could be slightly a bit more).

Some hospital will also pay for the RT license and give tuition help also, sometimes with 1 year pay back. Specifically, one hospital here will pay a $150 for the RT license or registration (dont know for sure) and a $5000 tuition reinbursement with 1 year pay back (meaning you got to work for them for 1 year).

- You can get a job right away after you graduate and usually they require you to get the license within 1 month. Or just say you would get a job offer there already.

-Many RN schools run for 2 years, with the first year Summer quarter included. Students can actually stop after 4th quarter and take LPN license if they prefer and return to school later!

=> with this, you can decide to stay and finish the last 3 qrtrs to be an RN or stop there and return to school later.

Another choice is that (I'm not sure) probably students can take the LPN license and also continue the RN program without having to stop by then.

RN_Pursuit2b · Mar 30, 2008

Oh wow, I didn't even think of that; I forgot they have all sorts of things like Apprentice Nursing and Tech jobs, etc. I'll check and see what's available at the community college as far as when and how I get the classes done. I still have pre-reqs to do; a bunch; so I'm thinking of CNA in the meantime. That was awesome information, Seneyka, thank you. :bow:

pagandeva2000, LPN · Mar 30, 2008

I think that you need to do what is best for you. If you are about to enter into any career, I firmly believe that a person is responsible for seeing what the job market is like for that particular vocation. An occupational handbook for the area you live in may be a hint of what you can expect. I do not see LPNs being phased out because the nursing shortage is so bad that they usually work around these things. Some areas limit LPNs to working in long term care, home care or assisted living. Other areas, such as my own, LPNs have a vast amount of areas to work, primarily because the shortage of nursing care is so great.

If the RN programs in your area are extremely competitive and the GPA is not high, or the waiting list is anywhere from 2-5 years long, it may benefit you to begin as an LPN (if the job market in your area has a demand for them). Most bridge programs accomodate LPNs and give them a year off of their education. Excelsior College will even take old science credits from LPNs. You can also do this if you are a self paced, disciplined person who can study independently. You can get your LPN license, take the science courses, English, and whatever else and transfer them to Excelsior for their LPN to RN transition (first find out if Excelsior is accepted in your area to sit for NCLEX-RN) and then work in that state as an RN.

Personally, I don't see education on any level as a waste of time, unless you are really unable to use it. Finding out beforehand if LPNs are used in your area would be the first step to seeing whether or not you should invest time and money. In the meantime, if you think you are weak in any areas, such as math, science or reading comprehension it may benefit you to take some continuing education courses to brush up in those areas.

RN_Pursuit2b · Mar 30, 2008

Some excellent points and food for thought, Pagandeva2000, thank you.

It is competitive here because we have one community college and one university for a population of 500,000. We're near the Sierra Mountains in Reno and are landlocked by forested mountains, two hours of distance, and several feet of snow at times, and that's unfortunate because California has a ton of schools. The vocational colleges here are all business and medical assisting. The University takes the upper percentage of all the 4.0. students, and I the Community college had a waiting list, but they just expanded. I'll be talking to an academic counselor tomorrow. There is a community college in Carson City where you can NCLEX-PN after a year, but I'd rather go straight to the RN program near my house than drive through dark, windy, sometimes icy roads at night thirty miles away. I'm beginning to think we need to move there after the housing crisis. My math skills are weak, so I'm taking basic math this summer. I'll have to see what advice I get tomorrow from the local college, but I think I'll be doing pre-reqs for now. Thank you again for giving me these things to think about.

Valerie Salva, BSN, RN · Mar 30, 2008

I've been hearing "LPNs are being phased out" for over 20 years. I don't think it will ever happen.

seneyka · Apr 1, 2008

oh wow, i didn't even think of that; i forgot they have all sorts of things like apprentice nursing and tech jobs, etc. i'll check and see what's available at the community college as far as when and how i get the classes done. i still have pre-reqs to do; a bunch; so i'm thinking of cna in the meantime. that was awesome information, seneyka, thank you.

i didnt say the name correctly! "nursing technician registered " is the term for rn- student to be employed at hospitals or such facilities!

"patient care technician" means cna (certified nursing assistant).

amjowens · Apr 2, 2008

I took my prerequisites to get into RN school, but found myself on a year-long waiting list. Though not as bad as some stories of longer waits, it didn't satisfy me. I'd not considered LPN programs before, but looked into them. I'm a CNA (required for the LPN program I now attend) and considered-3 years of CNA work and pay? No way!

Long story short, I started my LPN program in Spring '08, to finish in December '08 (anticipated), and will begin my RN program in Spring '09. I couldn't believe how this worked out, and I'm thankful every day for this. It was a matter of taking the pre-reqs, doing well in those, and applying.

I'm amazed at what LPNs are able to do. I'm in OH, as I know laws change per state, but I'm learning IVs, giving meds, etc., so I wonder about the LPNs who are saying doing the LPN is not worth it. I for one am not doing this stuff as a CNA (can't even touch patient charts!), and surely not making the salary of around $40K per year (nursing home ave. in OH) as a CNA. I'm SO GLAD I chose to do the LPN program. It's INTENSIVE, I've been learning so much, and I love that I'll be going through my RN program as a LPN, not a CNA. I'm learning valuable skills/knowledge and I'm really thankful for this time.