38 year old Male. Former Recruiter wanting to go into nursing !

Nurses General Nursing

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Long story short, I have had a lucrative career as a recruiter, but things have changed and both my wife and myself are going to go to LPN nursing school at a local votech. My ultimate goal is to take the LPN to RN Bridge at a Community college then start working and going on for an advanced nursing dehree. ( I got my first degree in 1993 in Organizational Communications )

Here in Tampa all the schools have a wait except for the local vo-tech. What are your views on this program and is the "plan" that I have layed out sensible ? I figure before I am 42 I could be a PA-C or ARNP.

I would love any and all feedback. I have atteneded orientation and school is supposed to start in August.

I am ready to get into a field that I would enjoy and isnt all about the money ! I know that sounds crazy to most, but I have learned that money isnt everything in life....

Thank you in advance for any answers / comments or questions.

Specializes in LTC, hospitals and correctional settings.

Don't go to school together unless you are also looking to get a divorce. Nursing school is the most stressful thing you can do, and to have both partners doing it together is a sure recipe for marriage disaster.

Okay, allnurses hates me and ate my first, very thoughtful reply.

A condensed version, since I don't want the full version to be eaten again.

I think the previous poster is being an alarmist.

Yes, nursing school is probably the hardest thing that you have done to this point, and it MAY be the hardest thing you will ever do. However, only you know what your life has entailed, so only you can answer this question.

My husband and I started dating during the last semester of nursing school. We both went to different programs, but having someone to share "the pain" with made some things a lot more tolerable. Even if our experiences weren't exactly the same, we knew we were in the same boat.

I know you say you are looking at LPN programs. Although I won't specifically say anything against an LPN program, I will say that (at least in my area) many hospitals are moving away from using LPNs in clinical areas. At my hospital, LPNs are allowed to work as CNAs. Part of this is because many hospitals are moving towards trying to gain Magnet designation.

That isn't to say that LPNs don't do a fantastic job and fulfill a much-needed role. I'm just saying that from what I see where I am working, it appears that LPNs are on the verge of being "phased out".

Do what you think is going to work for you. Even if local hospitals aren't using LPNs, nursing homes, etc, probably are. And that gives you a way to earn a living while you are seeking a more advanced degree.

Go for it!

That is a great way to go. I did a similar program in my area and it was a full year-5 days a week. It is great you have a 24hr study partner(your wife) to help complete this program both of you will benefit from that. Yes its true most hospitals are getting away from using LPN's, however they do hire for their long care department, which you can still learn much from. Plus it gets your foot in. Many hospitals will help with tuition costs to further your education to an RN. There are many nursing homes and home care agencies that hire LPN's also. I am currently seeking to go back to school myself to transition from LPN-RN either locally or online. There is most definitely more opportunities for RN's Nationwide. Good luck with school it will go by so fast.

Thanks so much for the responses. Let me clear one part up we arent going "together" well be going at seperate times, I will go first as she covers health insurance.

Most of you are saying to skip the LPN program an go straight RN. It was my understanding its easier to get to the RN role if you already have your LPN. I didnt add that we have one child, so life must go on as ususal with school and everything else. She is only 8 so that could be good or bad.LOL.

Please do keep sharing as I need to follow the right path.

If there is anyone inthe Tampa Bay area with real local info. Join in !

Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

if you can get into a bsn program, do that. skip the lpn and go straight for the bsn. but since not everyone can get into a bsn program on their first try, the lpn program is a great way to get started, get your foot in the door. and you're right that you may be able to find a hospital willing to help you with an lpn to rn program, so your tuition outlay may be lower. you'd be employed sooner as well. good luck to both of you.

Specializes in Emergency.

See if you can get a per-diem or P/T gig as a tech/cna at the hospital you'd most like to work in when you pass the boards. My hospital is very good about letting nursing students work P/T as it becomes kind of a long-term 2 way interview.

You get some experience and you literally have your foot in the door.

Good luck.

Specializes in Corrections, Cardiac, Hospice.

All good advice so far, except the whole divorce thing, yeesh;:banghead: My husband was my biggest support when I was in collage. I don't know that I would be where I am today if not for him telling me nightly that I can do it.

Anyway, not knowing your circumstances, how soon do you NEED to graduate and start making money? No, hospitals don't normally hire LPN's, but we have a couple fantastic ones at my inpatient Hospice facility. They are used almost completely at local ECF's. That being said, you can get a Diploma RN for about 1 year extra schooling. BUT! If there is a waiting list and you want to get started, by all means, LPN school is the way to go! GOOD LUCK!

Have you checked into your local community college? They are much cheaper and you will actually become an RN after two years. Don't let the waitlist fool you, because you will have to take some classes to get into the nursing program, and usually by the time you finish, you are ready to begin and won't actually be waiting doing nothing. This way you will end up with your associates degree but will be an RN- and make just as much money as someone with a bachelors degree. Honestly, you might as well go this route, because although the LPN-Rn route seems "faster" it isn't, because you have to pay more in the tech program, only get an LPN, then find time to go BACK to school- still probably have a wait- and then finally get your associate's degree- or if you want to take a LOT more school- your BSN. Check out your local CC! good luck!

Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

here is the problem i have with voctech schools. its fine if you just want your lpn but i am 100% sure that the classes will not transfer to your local cc. here in nc we have a school called ecpi. they have a lpn program that cost $26,000. the courses like (ap, english,micro etc) that you take within the program don't transfer to community college because they are only 8 weeks long. a few of my friend did this route and got their lpn. now if they want to get their rn, they have to start from scratch and take all the prerequisites to get into rn program. the only thing that may save you is if you have another degree and have taken math, english and social sciences that will transfer. check into it and ask if their courses transfer to local community college. i am almost sure that they will not.

I do hold a BS from in Organiization Communication

I do hold a BS in Organizational Communication.

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