should I bother with the LPN?

Nurses General Nursing

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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!

Specializes in A myriad of specialties.

I was told 23 years ago "don't you people stop at the LPN level as LPNs are being phased out!" I was in the RN program and I didn't continue---I wish I had---but have had no trouble finding jobs out here in the west.

Is the program you're starting just an LPN program or does it have a bridge to the RN too? Regardless if you want to ultimately be an RN, having the LPN certificate while finishing the RN program would be beneficial. LPNs are employed in MD offices, mental hospitals, private home care----NOT just in LTC. If something happens and you don't finish the RN program, or (heaven forbid)you don't pass the boards, at least you're still a nurse and can find some employment. Do what your heart tells you to do. I wish you the best of luck.

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine, Dr. Office, Psych.

i heard the same mumbo jumbo 18 yrs ago, why bother w/ your lpn when you can go on another 2 yrs for your rn, i have been an lpn (and mighty proud of it) for (like i said 18 yrs) and i have went onto more schooling, phlebotomy instructor course, x-ray tech course, iv trauma team course, supervisory course, and state medical instructor course!!

i will never regret->ever taking the lpn course & now i make as much money as a starting rn does, maybe more in some places. i have experience with patients & thats whats important about nursing is gaining experience!

don't let anyone tell me that i am not an rn so i'm not a nurse, because i have a license and 18 yrs behind me that tell me i am a nurse!

good luck kid- and there hasnt been anything "real" posted about phasing out lpn's that i am aware of, back a few years ago they did phase us out of specialty units but rehired alot of lpn's when they realized it was cost prohibative to only have rn's on staff...

don't worry kid , life as an lpn is great!! you can always go back if you like, after your making some money! :up:

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine, Dr. Office, Psych.
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!

:)

depending on where you live, lpn's are hired more rapidly than rn's, they are hired in hospitals, prisons, nursing homes, doctors offices, clinics, lab's, so on & so forth. lpn's have very little limitations on their licenses to date. don't rule out lpn school as a basis unless the school your attending doesnt give you credit for your lpn courses. lpn's have a great clinical experience & can venture out into the rn world if they choose, pick whats best for your situation not what the rumor mill tells you. search career builder if you want to know who is hiring lpn's you would be amazed!

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Specializes in Emergency Room.

there was recently a thread here a few months ago about lpn's being laid off in groves (i forgot what state). but it really depends on where you live, here in chicago its almost impossible to find a lpn job in the hospital, but i believe the ltc still hire lpn's. i say if you have the time, just go for rn. if its a matter of waiting to be accepted into a program and the lpn program is open then complete that and then bridge over to rn. also, just research the lpn opportunities in your area, that will give you a good idea of what to expect. i wish you the best.

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Specializes in LTC.

I just need to vent ! I'm so sick and tired of people being ignorant about LPNs VS RN. Do your research people. As for me I plan to get my LPN first and then do the bridge. I want to gain experience and increase my salary while in school for my RN. But most of all I want to be a NURSE and care for people. Yes, there are differences between LPN and RN. However, they are both still nurses. RNs have more education and get to have more opportunities...then again LPNs are used in a variety of places as well.... it all depends on the location. And NO ! LPNs are not being fased out. LTC would be lost with out LPNS. LPNs also make money too. My mother has been an LPN for four years, just received her RN... she's going to have to take a pay cut when starting her RN job due to being a new grad. So as an LPN she was making more than new grad RNs. When I become an LPN first I'm going to be proud ! And anyone who thinks LPNs are nothing... they will be ignored ! Good luck to everyone ! It doesn't matter what path you take to get your RN, as long as you get it.

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I'm doing the LPN, then LPN-RN program. Yes, technically I'll be in school 1 semester longer than if I went straight through to RN, but since I won't have to be on the waiting list for 1st-semester RN students, I'll actually be done about a year earlier than if I waited to do the RN program.

Around here, LPNs are still hired in hospitals adn LTC, so I'll have a lot of options when I graduate.

I say go for LPN then bridge. It's easier to get into the RN program in the 3rd semester (which is where you start if you bridge in) than to get in 1st semester.

Good Luck!

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Specializes in School Nursing.

lpn's on this board seem to be referred to as "second class citizens". or so it seems to me. :(

praiser :heartbeat

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Don't enter a profession just to be recession-proof if you can enter something that you honestly enjoy instead. To figure out if you'd really enjoy something, try spending a few work days with 2 or 3 people who are already doing that job. See if you like the activities, the pace, the whole setting. You might decide you hate hospitals and nursing homes. Or discover that you love pediatrics or the operating room.

Nursing isn't exactly recession-proof anyway. Back in the 80's when there was a supposed market glut of RN's and we RN's were being replaced by LPN's, we RN's were known to tell our bosses we'd work for LPN wages. It was scary. Anybody else remember this?

You should talk with various Nursing Directors (might be called Chief Nurse Executive or something similar) and Nursing managers where you think you'd like to work once you become a nurse, whether RN or LPN, and see what you might be able to learn about the future of RN and LPN hiring at these places. And look at the ads for nurses and see what they want. Most employers have websites listing their openings, so you will get a good sense of what jobs are available.

Are you free to relocate? Maybe a hospice in Minnesota or Arizona could hire you. Check the travel nurse companies, maybe. They probably try to work with other job categories, like massage therapists, etc.

Are you willing to work as a clerk or CNA or some other job category to remain employed? I just hate to see you enter Nursing thinking you'll never get laid off. School can be expensive and then you'll have school debt on top of no job or underemployment, and you might not even enjoy the work.

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I just need to vent ! I'm so sick and tired of people being ignorant about LPNs VS RN. Do your research people. As for me I plan to get my LPN first and then do the bridge. I want to gain experience and increase my salary while in school for my RN. But most of all I want to be a NURSE and care for people. Yes, there are differences between LPN and RN. However, they are both still nurses. RNs have more education and get to have more opportunities...then again LPNs are used in a variety of places as well.... it all depends on the location. And NO ! LPNs are not being fased out. LTC would be lost with out LPNS. LPNs also make money too. My mother has been an LPN for four years, just received her RN... she's going to have to take a pay cut when starting her RN job due to being a new grad. So as an LPN she was making more than new grad RNs. When I become an LPN first I'm going to be proud ! And anyone who thinks LPNs are nothing... they will be ignored ! Good luck to everyone ! It doesn't matter what path you take to get your RN, as long as you get it.

Just wondering - what area is your Mom starting in? Did she negotiate or just accept what they said they'd pay her? That doesn't really make sense that a new grad RN will get paid less than an LPN. Furthermore, she is bringing some nursing experience. As you well know, LPN's do just about everything that RN"s do, minus IV push meds and Admissions. And that's only because of some gov regs, I think (the Admissions).

It is true that RN's have at least 2 years of school (ADN) or 4 years (BSN). But, basically, the LPN is a fine nurse and I have worked with many great LPN's.

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