Lets face it, the economy is bad. I barely got into my studio apartment on my measely hourly wage retail job --- and life basically sucks. I got laid off twice as a teacher and never found a living wage job since. So much for retirement.
At age 50 I am barely making ends meet. I am college educated and can do better in life.
I saved some money so I could pay cash to get LPN license and make $18-20 after graduation in one year.
I am choosing nursing because of the money and stability. I used to be a CNA a long time ago and it was an ok†job. It paid the bills. I can do nursing, even though its not my passion.
I have applied and sent out tons of resumes in sales, teaching, management positions, HR – you name it. The clock keeps ticking with loss of income and at my age its harder to land a job.
Anyone go into nursing for the money? Be honest. You would be surprised what people do when they need a living wage.
Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.
I am going into nursing partly for the money in that I would not pursue nursing if it did not pay well. One of the other things I love about nursing is the vast array of opportunities. Nurses can branch off into so many different avenues, it's a broad field. I really think that most people who are interested in healthcare can find some type of nursing job that will suit them. There is also the opportunity to progress to advanced practice nursing, the learning doesn't stop, and that really appeals to me. I am a lifelong learner type; learning new things is a great motivator for me and makes me feel happy and fulfilled. The reasons I gave you were why I chose nursing as opposed to P.A., physical therapist, occupational therapist which were also interesting to me.
I don't think money can be the only reason. You need to enjoy some aspect of the job. It sounds like you already know that you will enjoy educating patients. Good luck!
Just really look into if there are jobs available for LPNs. Wouldn't want you to spend the money, then not be able to find a job anyway. The market for LPNs is limited in many places.
Have you considered moving to a place with a higher need for teachers?
I absolutely went into nursing for the money, too, and it has treated me well.
I would not become a LPN for the money. Getting paid is dependent on getting a job. My hospital system just laid off all of the LPNs in any position across the board, even in their physician practice office, along with some other "extra" people. Over 400 people total lost their jobs. I would not want to be a LPN right now for anything. You make more money with a minimum wage job than you do being unemployed.
If I was going to go into a job "for the money", it would sure as hell be a job that paid more than 35K a year. I make more than 2.5x that and still feel like if I was in it just for the money, I would have chosen to be something like an investment banker.
If you become an LPN "for the money", I think you will be disappointed. LPNs are overworked and underpaid when they can find jobs. The market for them has decreased significantly. The only places I see them working nowadays are nursing homes and private duty, both of which don't pay well.
I thought of accelerated BSN. The problem is I don't have many science or math classes since I was social science major. How long would it take me to complete?
LPN I can do it in a year and start making 35k a year.
I'm in Columbus, OH.
You'd get a much bigger return on investment going the BSN route.
Be prepared to work your ass off, not only is it a physically difficult and stressful job you will find yourself working in a very coercive environment when you are ordered around, mandated to get the flu vaccine and who knows what next, scripted to tell you what to do and say! You will deal with short staffing, moving obese people of every size up to 500+ pounds without lift equipment, and even mandatory overtime. I would look for an easier way to make a living! It is not worth it!
Be aware the flu vaccine causes GB, paralysis which you may not recover from and some have died! Most places are mandating it and you have to have been a victim of GB not to take it every year. Allergic reaction too bad, they'll hand out an epi pen! Also be aware bells palsy is linked to the vaccine! It pisses me off so much to be told I have to inject poison just to keep my job. For the few who are exempted after a committee makes their decision they are forced to wear a mask at all times during the flu season, which is also a joke since the vaccine was only 50% effective last year. Why not make everyone wear a mask then. This year they made us sign a form that we were asking to be vaccinated as if it was our choice. I suppose someone from risk management thought this up hoping to get out of a lawsuit if someone ends up with GB because they "asked" for the vaccine! You can't sue the vaccine manufacturers if you are one of the unlucky ones you have to get an attorney and sue the US Govt Vaccine Bureau and most of the settlements are around $100,000 and take years to get, not much compensation for permanent injury and disability. Lastly people 50+ are 2-3 X more likely to get GB and there is a study linking yearly vaccines to an 10X increased risk of alzhiemers who knows if it is from the mercury or aluminum.
Nothing wrong with going into it for the money. As long as you become a good nurse your motivation for becoming a nurse shouldn't be important. My only concern is your desire to become an LPN for the money. Unless you know that LPN's are in demand where you live I would strongly suggest bypassing that degree for an RN degree. I work in LTC and even there we hire very few LPN's. Most LPN jobs in my market are home health and Assisted Living which along with LTC pay significantly less than hospital nursing.
As you already hold a Bachelors have you looked into an Accelerated BSN? It may not be much more time and money invested than the LPN and your odds of finding employment at all, much less employment with decent pay will be much greater.
Have you considered an ADN program? I'm going that route- even though I have a BA and MPH bc it's only about $6k out of pocket and my area is still hiring ADNs
Specializes in Cardiology, Cardiothoracic Surgical.
I say, go for it! You already have done the "gross" part, now you need to learn what makes a nurse a "nurse". The assessments, the critical thinking, etc. I'm thinking you've already had more than your fair share of science at some point as a health teacher, so a lot of the information in the LPN program shouldn't be foreign to you.
As an older graduate, when applying for jobs, emphasize your ability to work with a wide range of demographic populations, life experience, patient education and maturity. You can always do the LPN-to-RN bridge program later if you feel like you want to continue your career and become an RN.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Lets face it, the economy is bad. I barely got into my studio apartment on my measely hourly wage retail job --- and life basically sucks. I got laid off twice as a teacher and never found a living wage job since. So much for retirement. At age 50 I am barely making ends meet. I am college educated and can do better in life. I saved some money so I could pay cash to get LPN license and make $18-20 after graduation in one year.I am choosing nursing because of the money and stability. I used to be a CNA a long time ago and it was an ok†job. It paid the bills. I can do nursing, even though its not my passion. I have applied and sent out tons of resumes in sales, teaching, management positions, HR – you name it. The clock keeps ticking with loss of income and at my age its harder to land a job. Anyone go into nursing for the money? Be honest. You would be surprised what people do when they need a living wage.
Here's what I would do. Visit the site where disciplinary actions against nurses are located in your area and resolve not to do those things. Then be knowledgeable and civil to all who cross your path. Then nobody will have to know you are in it for the money!
As has been said, though, you might discover you're not just in it for the money.
I thought of accelerated BSN. The problem is I don't have many science or math classes since I was social science major. How long would it take me to complete?
LPN I can do it in a year and start making 35k a year.
I'm in Columbus, OH.
Depends. Programs in my state are 18 months. U don't need science classes that is what the 18 months are for. I seen ppl with egineer degrees go to these types of schools. It is accelerated and it could be pricey. I would go on your state Board of nursing website and find the accredited schools and the price.
I wouldn't go for LPN. If it takes a year y not go another year and get your ASN if u decide the accelerated program is not for you.
If I was going to go into a job "for the money", it would sure as hell be a job that paid more than 35K a year. I make more than 2.5x that and still feel like if I was in it just for the money, I would have chosen to be something like an investment banker.
I agree. I always shake my head when people say nurses make "big money." They obviously don't know any investment bankers or successful commercial real estate brokers/investors. I'm well acquainted with many in both of those industries who have no more education than I do, and it boggles the mind how much money they make. So yeah, if money was my motivation, nursing would have been the last thing to come to mind.
FolksBtrippin, BSN, RN
2,322 Posts
I am going into nursing partly for the money in that I would not pursue nursing if it did not pay well. One of the other things I love about nursing is the vast array of opportunities. Nurses can branch off into so many different avenues, it's a broad field. I really think that most people who are interested in healthcare can find some type of nursing job that will suit them. There is also the opportunity to progress to advanced practice nursing, the learning doesn't stop, and that really appeals to me. I am a lifelong learner type; learning new things is a great motivator for me and makes me feel happy and fulfilled. The reasons I gave you were why I chose nursing as opposed to P.A., physical therapist, occupational therapist which were also interesting to me.
I don't think money can be the only reason. You need to enjoy some aspect of the job. It sounds like you already know that you will enjoy educating patients. Good luck!