Having a hard time making a decision @LPN school

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I am a registered Xray tech who hasn't worked in 7 years, I've been a stay home mom. My son is older now and I'm ready to do something for myself. I never liked Xray, and only went into it because I let a friend talk me into going. I was 26 and figured taking the quickest route to a good paycheck was the right decision. I knew in school I hated Xray, but I wasn't about to quit. I was taking pre-reqs for nursing but let that dream go since the waiting list was so long. Now at 42 I feel like I want to go back to school. The RN programs in Baton Rouge are very hard to get into so I am looking not an LPN program and if I still want to, get my RN later. My husband is not being supportive at all. He thinks I'm going " backwards" becoming an LPN since I can make more money as an Xray tech. Any advice on the LPN school. I feel good about it but he has me second guessing myself. Thanks!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

My suggestion is to research the LPN job market in the Baton Rouge area. In addition, see if you can arrange to shadow an LPN for his or her entire shift to get a feel for whether you would like being a nurse. These steps would help you make an informed decision about continuing down the LPN route. Good luck with whatever decision you make!

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You're husband is wrong! Thinking like that bus exactly what got you into this mess in the first place. Obviously if your work doesn't make you happy, you're going to dread work and all for what? Money? So what if you get less money as an LPN or RN at least time flys by whole you're working rather than you staring at the clock as an X-ray tech. Apparently if you haven't worked in seven years, it's not like your living or financial situation will drastically change. Do your dream. Don't make the same mistake you did when you were 26. You might not get a second chance again.

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Thank you all for your advice, it is greatly appreciated. I definitely don't want any more regret, I've had my share. Shadowing an LPN would be a great idea so that I will have no doubts about my choice. I think one of the reasons I disliked Xray so much is because there wasn't much interaction with the patients. We would do our studies and off they would go. Some people liked that about Xray, I always found myself wanting to help more and follow up with inpatients that came down for an upper GI or Barium enema. I wanted to be more hands on with them. I believe my husband is wrong as well. I believe if you follow your passion that everything you need will find you. Thanks again for your responses, they help a great deal.

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Hubby is wrong and should support you. It is not always about the money and you have to do what you love and that is with any job whether it is law, teaching, etc. If you don't go back and persue your dreams, then you will go the rest of your life thinking would if and will feel like a failure. Follow your dreams, do what is best for you and good luck.

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Thank you, I am moving forward with the application process! I have sacrificed 8 years for our family, now it's time to do something for me!

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If you do not enjoy what you do to a certain extent you will become miserable, in my humble experience. I make 21.25 an hour as an LPN in NC, I am a New Grad. I graduated August 2nd 2011... WOW, I will have been a Nurse for 1 YEAR Sept 1st... Amazing... But I digress..

Anyway, money is great, it pays the bills, you know the rest.. If you are miserable, sometimes the money is not worth it. Happiness is priceless.

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