Have been told LPN BAD idea

Published

I have been told by several people that LPN degree is basically useless now and that it would only offer me the option of working in a nursing home and that the pay is horrible. I can't change my current work schedule and don;t know if I could pass a full time AS or BSN program. Any advice would be fantastic at this point as I'm feeling rather discouraged.

same thing 25 years ago, I worked nursing homes , sub acute units , worked for multiple agency's , peds, wound care , switched states almost 5 years ago , worked again in sub acute , hospice, Addiction office , now urgent care. And I'm still making money. it's been the same all these years, Depends where you work on your pay, I'm in Florida now and the pay stinks they talk 16-18 an hour and i'm like no , but when they know your worth you make more. Jersey I was making 28-34 an hour, working the agency. 25 for home care peds, full time with benefits. just depends your state and area. good luck and you can always do part time school for now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

vspaniel I live in S Jersey. I wouldn't say its a BAD idea. I will say that most LPNs make between $18 to $23 an hour and most full-time nursing jobs are less than 40 hours a week (anywhere from 32 to 36 hours usually). Agency and per diem nurses make more but depending on if you need health insurance that may not be an option for you. I worked at an acute rehab hospital and half of our nurses were LPNs. We were basically a mini-med surg floor. There are also doctor's offices, LTC, homecare, wound centers, etc that still hire LPNs. Most hospitals are looking to hire Bachelor level RNs at this point.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I was interested in going into LPN/LVN (and maybe later doing a bridge over to becoming an RN) but my friend convinced me otherwise. She explained that a lot of LPN/LVNs do the dirty work of Nurses and basically, (if unlucky) your co-workers act like high schoolers and might even bully you. I don't know how true this is. It just seems like getting into nursing is extremely competitively even though there is a shortage of nurses and even after you're employed, I just don't want to be in that environment of verbal abuse..

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am currently an LPN in Texas. I don't regret it at all. I make over 60k a year which is good for the area I'm in. If I moonlight a few extra shifts I can easily bring my income close to 70k.

The whole nursing home only may be true for some areas, but as for me that hasn't been my experience.

I've had a lot of high paying jobs and none of them were in a nursing home. Most of my positions have been in hospital or other settings.

I am in the process of getting my RN though. Job availability or salary didn't influence that choice though. I want my RN because there are more jobs available. So it broadens the horizons.

However there are several opportunities for LPNs in my area of the country.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm in Western New York, starting at an ED. I'm (department) orienting with three LPNs, so I know it's possible to get a job in a popular specialty. I couldn't speak to their pay though, sorry.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC and Pediatrics.

My personal opinion would be to do the LPN program first, get a job as an LPN and work there while you work on your ADN/BSN. You will get the basis of nursing and be able to work as a nurse while working towards your RN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello vspaniel

I live in New Jersey, a new LPN also. I left the IT field for nursing. You will not make 50K for quite a while. A full time job is next to impossible to get (it seems south jersey has more job opportunities - some hospitals still hire). But, north Jersey is saturated. You have limited choices here, pushing a med cart (stressful, because you barely have time to complete the function, let alone taking a lunch break).

You can work in a doctors office, but I was offered 16hr , this could be full time. There are flu clinics, but this is seasonal. You can get per diem home care, but never know when or where or who you will be working with. The pay in the nursing homes can be 21 - 28 hr (pushing med cart).

You can do the LPN program and bridge to RN (another 3 semesters). With the RN you can get 10.00 more an hour. The LPN is not an easy program to complete. If you pass the entrance exam, the school accepts you, but this is no indication you will continue. Half the students are let go in the first semester, and the rest couldn't pass the subsequent semesters. Our graduating class started with 52 and ended with 15 passing students.

The pay is not nearly close to what it should be for the responsibility (the advanced nurses I know with many years of experience are complaining about how nursing salaries have gone way down over the years)

I would also consider how you will be treated. I have been hammered, made to feel incompetent, everyone is your boss and they use the opportunity not constructively in guiding you, but to show their superiority trip. The nurses I met unfortunately are not necessarily friendly either, they will offer little to no help to a new nurse (and you will need help, because nursing school only touches on things you will be doing)..

I would stick to computer operator, spend money on a new technical job. PCage has a good program and they arrange classes that work for people with jobs, the school is less expensive, the outcome pay is much more and chances to get full time work is substantially better. You don't get pulled through the coals as you will with nursing.

good luck

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

This is wrong on so many levels. Are you even a nurse? So sad that you're willing to alter your career path based on the opinion of one bitter soul.

I was interested in going into LPN/LVN (and maybe later doing a bridge over to becoming an RN) but my friend convinced me otherwise. She explained that a lot of LPN/LVNs do the dirty work of Nurses and basically, (if unlucky) your co-workers act like high schoolers and might even bully you. I don't know how true this is. It just seems like getting into nursing is extremely competitively even though there is a shortage of nurses and even after you're employed, I just don't want to be in that environment of verbal abuse..
Up Vote Up Vote ×
I was interested in going into LPN/LVN (and maybe later doing a bridge over to becoming an RN) but my friend convinced me otherwise. She explained that a lot of LPN/LVNs do the dirty work of Nurses and basically, (if unlucky) your co-workers act like high schoolers and might even bully you. I don't know how true this is. It just seems like getting into nursing is extremely competitively even though there is a shortage of nurses and even after you're employed, I just don't want to be in that environment of verbal abuse..

Gosh, I really don't want to come across as some sort of flamer or nitpicker but I'm curious...nurses do the dirty work of...nurses? Because that doesn't quite make sense to me. LPNs are nurses. Nurses do dirty work-period...

To contribute my 2 cents to the op, that decision is very subjective as you know and depends upon many factors. For instance the ADN program in my area had wacky hours and since I could not accommodate those hours I went with an LPN program. At least when I decide to bridge over I have the option of evening and weekend hours to complete my degree. If you have the time go to ADN. If you do not have that sort of time then start off as an LPN. To me, it's a stepping stone to get to where I want to be...if I so choose.

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in clinical setting,MS,ER,Short Stay.

I work here in Maryland,at Kaiser Permanente. I'm a Oncology LPN and I'm at 55,000 a year. Been pretty good to me,Yes I'm working on becoming at RN. The Lpn program wasn't a waste for me. It was very helpful. I work Mon-Friday. No weekends or holidays. I can do the non-chemo,Therapeutic Phelbotomys,Port Flushes,Pump Disconnects,IV's. Have learned a lot working here,the RNs truly appreciate having LPNs.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I went to a job searching help seminar the other day and was told the same thing. and that RPNs will be phased out in the next 2 years and that I wasted my time. I live in Canada (ontario)

Then other sources say the opposite, that RNs are being replaced by RPNs.

It's so hard to filter through what is BS and what is true. All I want to do is be a nurse. I was intending to do my RN next year so what is the truth?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yes I know My daughter just started her 2nd semester RN program I am an LVN I take care of my grandson as if he were my own as well. My DTR says to me, "when is everybody going to calm down? I cant wait for when I can go to Clinicals and feel comfortable and relaxed."

Well, I hate to tell you this but, I don't think I have ever met a single sole who could say that they were ever able to relax and get comfortable in Nursing school.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion