I understand why people go the LPN route

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Specializes in Nursing Home.

Well, I'm tired of living the way I'm living working as a CNA and EMT never having anytime off breaking my back and getting nowhere still not cracking 10 dollars per hour in either job. I've decided to enroll in a nursing program as soon as possible. Although RN is where my hopes lie, LPN seems a little more realistic right now. I know there limited in employment but I feel that I can make a good male Long Term Care Nurse. And 16 dollars and hour sounds better right now than 8 dollars an hour and 9.50 an hour. I've been working in LTC as a CNA for almost a year and I do like the environment besides all of its shortfalls. I know it's gonna be hard but to me it's more realistic. I can walk into vo/tech next semester and begin my actual second semester of LPN nursing school and learn actual nursing. If I go RN route it would take 2-3 years of absolutely going all out to earn a GPA high enough just for a chance at the RN program. I know that LPNs are not RNs and there's a reason why it takes longer and more prereqs but LPN is really appealing to me right now. And I know that if I retain employment at my current facility would hire me upon completion, and the starting pay is 16 dollars an hour but Nurses at my facility can earn up to 23 dollars an hour (LPNs) . The next time someone asks you why you didn't go straight for RN tell them, Have you tried it? It's not an easy road. I know that LPN school is gonna be hard as all get out for me but I feel it's something I need to do, I want to have a career that's i can truly live on. Any input?

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If you're looking for a higher paying job to hold you off till you're able to get into an RN program then becoming an LVN is a suitable route. I too was a CNA but chose to get my LVN along the way because I could not be a CNA till I became an RN. The pay is decent enough to hold you off till you're able to make your way to your goals. $9.50/hr is a ridiculous salary for being a CNA and the hard labor you go through, what state do you live in?

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Specializes in Nursing Home.

Thanks for your reply and actually the 9.50 is my EMT salary, the 8.10 is my CNA salary YIKES huh? And I do have goals of becoming an RN to work in different areas of nursing and for leadership. But I'm getting older and put off more everyday! I don't wanna go through 2-3 years of pre reqs and not get accepted into nursing school and have to bust rear as a low wage CNA and EMT trying to make sure the bills are paid. I would much rather be stuck in the mud with children to support making 23 dollars an hour as an LPN in the nursing home than what I do now.

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

I worked as an LVN for 4 years before earning my RN license and, at this time, I have no regrets for taking the route that worked out for me.

There's nothing wrong with being an LPN/LVN. It is a role that offers decent pay, flexible scheduling, good healthcare experience, and a route to bridge over to the RN licensure.

I lived very comfortably on the money I was earning as an LVN charge nurse in a nursing home while attending an RN bridge program, and was able to keep my student loan debt to a minimum because I worked full time while going to school.

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Specializes in Nursing Home.

I'm other words If I was an LPN in the nursing home for the rest of my life I would be ok with that, but I would not be ok with doing what I do now forever.

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Specializes in Nursing Home.

EcBui Louisiana

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EcBui Louisiana

YIKES. That salary is INSANE. When I worked as a CNA for two years I was getting $15-17/hr. But I do agree the LVN/LPN route is a great choice. You work with RNs and the rest of the medical field as an LVN and get to see and experience different aspects of nursing. YOU ARE HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION!

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Specializes in Nursing Home.

The facility I work at as a nursing aide (CNA) starts LPNs out at 15$ an hour! And you made 17 in your state! I wanna live in your state. But of course cost of living probly much higher were your at than it is down here. But to me 15 dollars an hour is alot better than my 8 $ hour CNA salary and my 9.50 hourly EMT-B salary so 15 per hour is a luxury. And my facilty offers what they call the full time part time special where the nurses can work either Monday and Tuesday, or Wed and Thursday, 7am-11pm back to back days but be off the remainig 5 days of the week, and still have a full time LPN salary but work 2 actual days a week! Or they also hav the option of 4-5 8 hour shifts a week too. But no 12s for anyone yet at this facility. Thanks y'all for TH reply and input!

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Specializes in Geriatric.
Well I'm tired of living the way I'm living working as a CNA and EMT never having anytime off breaking my back and getting nowhere still not cracking 10 dollars per hour in either job. I've decided to enroll in a nursing program as soon as possible. Although RN is where my hopes lie, LPN seems a little more realistic right now. I know there limited in employment but I feel that I can make a good male Long Term Care Nurse. And 16 dollars and hour sounds better right now than 8 dollars an hour and 9.50 an hour. I've been working in LTC as a CNA for almost a year and I do like the environment besides all of its shortfalls. I know it's gonna be hard but to me it's more realistic. I can walk into vo/tech next semester and begin my actual second semester of LPN nursing school and learn actual nursing. If I go RN route it would take 2-3 years of absolutely going all out to earn a GPA high enough just for a chance at the RN program. I know that LPNs are not RNs and there's a reason why it takes longer and more prereqs but LPN is really appealing to me right now. And I know that if I retain employment at my current facility would hire me upon completion, and the starting pay is 16 dollars an hour but Nurses at my facility can earn up to 23 dollars an hour (LPNs) . The next time someone asks you why you didn't go straight for RN tell them, Have you tried it? It's not an easy road. I know that LPN school is gonna be hard as all get out for me but I feel it's something I need to do, I want to have a career that's i can truly live on. Any input?[/quote']

Go for it! You wont regret. Doing the LPN first gave me more clinical hours (hands on) plus it made my study skills improve which gives me the confidence I need to keep going for that BSN. Feels good to make enough to buy groceries without putting something back.

I work in a LTC nightshift. 12s. I agree about the shortfalls. Guess it worries me more cuz I care for the Res. Cant change people but I hope I can change laws one day soon that improve conditions for them.

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Specializes in Nursing Home.

Thanks for the reply.? I agree with you and would like go see a change for the better to with nursing home care!!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

You have a plan...that's all that matters. I was an LPN for 24 years before becoming an RN. I was working in a hospital and economic changes that overflowed into the workplace forced me back into school. Otherwise, I would still be an LPN. My base at the time was $28/hr as a float nurse and I was ver happy with that. But as changes took center stage, I had to make a career move......same as you're doing now. No matter what your plan A is, always keep plan B within reach and plans C & D within striking distance. Good luck to you!

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Specializes in LTC/Sub Acute Rehab.
I worked as an LVN for 4 years before earning my RN license and, at this time, I have no regrets for taking the route that worked out for me.

There's nothing wrong with being an LPN/LVN. It is a role that offers decent pay, flexible scheduling, good healthcare experience, and a route to bridge over to the RN licensure.

I lived very comfortably on the money I was earning as an LVN charge nurse in a nursing home while attending an RN bridge program, and was able to keep my student loan debt to a minimum because I worked full time while going to school.

Did you go to school m-f or on select days and how did you set your work schedule?

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