Glad I didn't become an LPN after semester II

klone, MSN, RN · Mar 19, 2005

Wow! Very good to know. For a brief second, I entertained the idea (making $14/hour instead of $12). I know one of my fellow students is eschewing an externship to work as an LPN, but she is also in this situation:

I do know a couple of students who became LPNs while in the program. They are working as LPNs. The difference is that they were already working in their facilities as PCAs, and they are known to be good RN candidates. It's a retention strategy.

Anyway, thanks for the PSA!! It's right in time.

HisTreasure, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2005

Upon first reading this I felt somewhat offended. I probably shouldn't have been, but I was :chair: . I thought we were going down the oh-so-frequently-traveled shun the LPN debate again. In any event, I hope I am wrong for assuming. What I would like to add, which of course is my own situation and two cents, is that I am in LPN school and I have also been accepted for an RN program starting in August. I have gotten 5 job offers as an LPN two in acute care, one at a community hospital (sub acute), one in dialysis, and one in psych. I have never been a PCA or a CNA. As a matter of fact, LPN school was my first venture into health care at all. Only one of my prospective employers knows that I have been accepted into the RN bridge program and I told them only because they are the facility which I am most seriously considering. I say that to say that everyone's situation is different, and we all have to look into things for ourselves and make the best decisions for ourselves and our situation. This also applies to LPNs who have the option of testing out as CNAs. For some it may not be wise, but for others it could be the best solution. Please don't flame, once again, this is just my opinion and situation.

RainDreamer, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2005

Upon first reading this I felt somewhat offended. I probably shouldn't have been, but I was . I thought we were going down the oh-so-frequently-traveled shun the LPN debate again. In any event, I hope I am wrong for assuming.

I don't think that's the case at all. Kat is in RN school, and half way through you can sit for the LPN boards so you can work as an LPN if you chose too. But in her classmate's case the hospitals weren't hiring LPNs unless she could make a fulltime committment. However, she's going to school, so it would be hard to work fulltime as an LPN and go to school. Therefore, she can't find a job working as an LPN. Kat was just saying it would have been a waste of time for her to have taken the LPN boards, b/c she would be in the same boat as her classmate ....... without a job AND without a nurse externship. That's all she was saying, just pointing this out to others that are considering the same thing.

mariedoreen · Mar 19, 2005

I don't think that's the case at all. Kat is in RN school, and half way through you can sit for the LPN boards so you can work as an LPN if you chose too. But in her classmate's case the hospitals weren't hiring LPNs unless she could make a fulltime committment. However, she's going to school, so it would be hard to work fulltime as an LPN and go to school. Therefore, she can't find a job working as an LPN. Kat was just saying it would have been a waste of time for her to have taken the LPN boards, b/c she would be in the same boat as her classmate ....... without a job AND without a nurse externship. That's all she was saying, just pointing this out to others that are considering the same thing.

Exactly! This is a decision that a lot of RN students make when they're about half way through their program, whether or not to take the LPN exam just because you're eligible (not to opt out of the program with an LPN). It's a decision we debate because it's an expensive test and since we're going to be taking the RN exam just a year later and will be going to school in the meantime... is it worth it to us? Kat just gave us another reason why taking the LPN mid-way through our program may not work for some.

It's a totally different situation, please don't take offense.

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2005

Oh please don't take offense. It's not an RN vs. LPN thing at all. Lots of us in RN programs are looking at a summer without school in between third and final semesters. If possible, why not work as a nurse, right? So we consider sitting for the PN-NCLEX which, here in Florida, would cost $400. It would be pretty sad to get our hopes up and shell out the dough to find out we've just legally maneuvered ourselves out of any hopes of any kind of hospital based summer employment. I just want to make second year students aware of this before leaping, as others have pointed out.

BTW, my daughter is enrolled in hopes of being admitted to an LPN program. I totally support her decision.

helpinghands, BSN, RN · Mar 19, 2005

RNkittykat is right about finding a position in the hospitals without a full time work commitment (atleast in Florida). I had the exact same problem last summer. However, I was able to find a position working in flu clinics, corrections and corporate wellness clinics. It wasn't the exact experience I was looking for, but in the end it worked out perfectly for me and the job paid wonderfully. I'll actually be taking a pay cut when I give up my LPN position for my new RN position . Also, as soon as I finish my preceptorship I'm going to start orienting at the hopital as an LPN while I wait to get my GN and RN.

Taking the LPN half way through school really worked out well for me, but didn't for a few friends of mine. One friend of mine decided to take the full time position in a hospital and go to school. She is really struggling now. She went from a good solid high B student to barely passing or failing tests. Another friend of mine couldn't find a job as an LPN, but another hospital did hire her as a nurse intern/CNA. Deciding to take the LPN wasn't easy (or cheap) but I'm glad I did.