should I bother with the LPN?

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hello, I'm new here and am (was,should I ) be starting an LPN program in feb. I was recently laid off from my job as a massage therapist for hospice, which I loved. I am entering nursing for a job that is recession safe,I hope, and because I really want to return to hospice. Im 49yrs old,so a new direction is tough. but, I also need to make a living...I live in florida which,is a min wage state,are there any that arent??!!! I would like to get my RN eventually, but hope the LPN will allow me to get a job at a 1/2 way decent salary until I can continue. now I have people telling me not to bother with LPN because they are fazing them out,not respected and hard to find a job. what do you guys think??? thanks!

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Well I live in south florida and I was starting my process to be an LPN, but after being told that if I wanted to be an RN later, I would have to literally start all over, and that an LPN course is only equivalent to one semester of nursing school, I decided to just go ahead and get stated with my RN prereq's. Im not sure what's best for you, but this was better for me. Dont be discouraged, you can start over and do whatever you want, if you put your heart and soul into it.

GoodLuck!

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Hi,

Check out the LPN forum here as well as the Flordia one for more specific answers because it really varies by state. In my area Balto/DC there is still a great need for all nurses. Most LPNs work in LTC but there are still some hospitals using them. I did my LPN first and was very happy with my path. My bridge to RN was only 1 mini-mester in the summer and then I joined the second year RN students for the last 2 semesters. Not a big deal at all, imo. Good luck with whatever you decide.

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I am also thinking of being an LPN, but I think I might go straight for RN and forget LPN because not many people use them much. Only Nursing Homes. If you was to work in a hospital then you should go straight for RN. Good luck!

:)

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If you want to be an LPN, then it won't be a bother, plus you can find a job in LTC after you graduate. I'm just noticing a lot of people interested in nursing due to the economy-thinking it's recession-proof...you might want to do some reading-up on this topic here on the site +. I mean, if you really have a passion for something, go for it, but all professions go through cycles. Next year something else might be all the rage, who knows. Especially with the massive numbers trying to get into nursing these days.

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Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.

First let me tell you a story. I started as a tech in the ER in the hospital where I work now and there I met a woman who had been a tech there for 20 years. After we began talking she told me that 20 years ago she was going to go to my LVN school and had been admitted. Her girlfriend told her no don't go to that school. They are phasing out LVN's anyway. This woman, who is now my age. decided not to go to my school. She is still a tech in the ER and she does love her job. But I also wonder if she missed a great opportunity. My hospital has always employed LVN's and now they are really pushing hiring more LVN's. There are new LVN"s in every department and they are still looking to hire more. This co-worker has told me her story twice so it seemed to me that she regrets her decision to let her friend influence her in that way and not go to school.

I don't think it could hurt to go to school and become an LVN.

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You can do the LPN and then "bridge" to the RN. It's what I did. It isn't ideal, and I chafed at the restricted scope of the LPN, but I had the same annoying thing you do going on - the need to earn a living.

:)

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Specializes in ER.
I would like to get my RN eventually, but hope the LPN will allow me to get a job at a 1/2 way decent salary until I can continue. now I have people telling me not to bother with LPN because they are fazing them out,not respected and hard to find a job. what do you guys think??? thanks!

If you have to take a year or more out of your employment time to get your LPN then I would load up and go 3 semesters a year and Maymester if you have it available and get your RN. LPN's have a hard time in some areas finding hospital and/or hospice work. You could work as a CNA while you go to school which does pay considerably more than minimum wage. CNA school is about 6 weeks I think. Whichever you decide I wish you the best of luck and hope you get back into hospice.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.
First let me tell you a story. I started as a tech in the ER in the hospital where I work now and there I met a woman who had been a tech there for 20 years. After we began talking she told me that 20 years ago she was going to go to my LVN school and had been admitted. Her girlfriend told her no don't go to that school. They are phasing out LVN's anyway. This woman, who is now my age. decided not to go to my school. She is still a tech in the ER and she does love her job. But I also wonder if she missed a great opportunity. My hospital has always employed LVN's and now they are really pushing hiring more LVN's. There are new LVN"s in every department and they are still looking to hire more. This co-worker has told me her story twice so it seemed to me that she regrets her decision to let her friend influence her in that way and not go to school.

I don't think it could hurt to go to school and become an LVN.

This is so true! I can remember over 20 years ago when they said they were in the process of phasing out LPNs. Thank you for sharing this great story.

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I noticed you mentioned doing Hospice work. In MI LPNs are primarily employed in LTCFs and in home health, including Hospice. Sometimes LPN programs can be shorter through. I guess it depends on your overall plan. If you for sure want to be an RN with LPN just as a stepping stone, I would go to RN school. If you want to get your LPN and then maybe get your RN, I'd say go LPN. If your reallly love Hospice, LPN maybe right for you. However, check with nurses in your state and in your company and see how LPNs are utilized, ,what they do and what's the pay. God Bless on whatever decision you make. I'm an LPN now and am waiting to sit for my RN boards and being a nurse, any nurse, is great!

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Specializes in LTC, rehab, medical review.

Hi! It all depends on what your needs are...what classes you already have behind you. I am finishing up my first semester of LPN school now, and I love it. I have three kids, and am pg with my 4th, so money is a necessity for us, and we cannot wait 2 1/2 years for me to finish RN school. The program I am in now is only 10 months long, so we have to skimp for 10 months. After that, I can get a job in a nursing home and continue in school for my RN. There are a lot of schools with "bridge" programs which will get you to your RN...or at least here, your LPN counts as your first year of nursing school, so you only have to go for another year. Most RN programs also require you to have a lot of prereq's behind you...and the LPN program I am in did not require them at all. So for my family, it works great. If going for your RN is possible for you at first, then go for it...but if you need $ quicker, then go for the LPN. LPN's can also work in dr's offices and clinics, not just in nursing homes, so you arent totally limited. Definitely a lot more than if you are an RN, but there are options out there. I hope this helps.

~Missy

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Specializes in CNA.

hi,

i am in my 3rd quarter of LPN school, and i have learned a lot. I wated on the RN waiting list at another school for a year, and finally i got tired of wiating, when i left there i still had another year wait plus 2 years for my RN. I decided to go to LPN school because it takes a year, and after i graduate i can bridge over without the wait and be done with my RN in 15 months. So its quicker thatn siting on a waiting list, plus you can work in LTC after you graduate LPN school, and make decent money while going for your RN. I highly recomend the lpn program first!

hope this helped :)

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