If you were me, would you...

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Sep 27, 2011

Hi everyone!!!
I just started the LPN program but I plan to continue/bridge on into the RN portion of the program as soon as I finish my first year. I have the option of getting my LPN license and working as an LPN, while finishing my last year or not. I have a hard time trying to figure out if it would be best for me to work as a LPN in a LTC facility during my last year (there's no openings for LPNs in the hospitals in this area) or forget the LPN license and just work as a tech in the hospital (one of those in/externship programs). My goal is to work in Med-Surg, ER, or Critical Care when I graduate. Being that the job market is pretty tight out there for grad nurses, I honestly don't mind where I start in the hospital setting. I'm just wondering what would increase my chances of obtaining a position as a graduate, working as an LPN in a LTC facility or tech in a hospital during my last year?
Just a side note: I would like to thank all of you hardworking nurses and nursing assistants out there!!

I think most students doing the track you are find that the stress of RN school is a full-time job in itself and trying to work as an LPN on top of FT school is VERY hard. BUT, only you know what you can handle!

somedaypeds · Sep 27, 2011

I am currently in an LPN to RN bridge program and am working in home health care with pediatric patients. I think working with peds now gives me a better chance to get a job at the Children's Hospital when I graduate.

For you, if you have to work while going to school for your RN, then my advice is try a tech position. You will network, which can make all the difference when competing in this market.

However, RN school is very challenging. If you don't have to work to pay bills, then don't.

RNGrammie · Sep 27, 2011

I got my LPN after 3 semesters of my RN program. I worked in LTC part time.

I think it was invaluable!! I made my final semesters really "click". I was able to

use what I was learning in school and able to do better in school for what I had

learned while working. I don't think I could have done it full time, but our facility

had shifts that you could do 3 days a week. Worked well for me.

i<3u · Sep 27, 2011

Thank you both for your responses!

I really don't have to work (I live with my mom and two younger siblings, rent/utilities free) but I just don't feel comfortable being idle. I've been working since I was 15 and I don't want to graduate and employers ask "Ok, but what healthcare experience did you gain during nursing school beside clinical experience?" (and I have none). However, I'm only taking Fundamentals right now and next semester I'll have Med-Surg and Reproductive Health (more lecture and clinical hours compared to now). I think I'm just worrying about too much right now. Again, thank you so much.

i<3u · Sep 27, 2011

I got my LPN after 3 semesters of my RN program. I worked in LTC part time.
I think it was invaluable!! I made my final semesters really "click". I was able to
use what I was learning in school and able to do better in school for what I had
learned while working. I don't think I could have done it full time, but our facility
had shifts that you could do 3 days a week. Worked well for me.

Yes, that's what I was thinking too! I would at least like to work part-time for the experience. I find myself so nervous on the floor at clinical and look at the student with the CNA experience who's at ease throughout the experience. I think to myself, "Wow, if only I had prior experience, then I would probably feel more comfortable working with the nurses (I'm afraid that I might get in their way) and patients (afraid I might invade their privacy or not be gentle enough).

cherrybreeze, ADN, RN · Sep 27, 2011

My thought would be to go ahead with the LPN thing, and find a job (likely in LTC, like you said). Once you finish the RN portion, there is no guarantee of finding an open RN position in your desired field....so, you'd already have your foot in the door somewhere that you can stay until you DO find the job you really want. The job hunt for new grad RN's can be brutal (heck, it can be brutal for veteran RN's these days!).

Best of luck with whatever you decide!

XXWeaponX · Sep 27, 2011

I think its worth it to do the LPN job. If you are able to work, you'll learn a lot about nursing and how to be a great nurse as an LPN. You'll be better prepared for life as an RN, and you'll have made a lot of connections, which are invaluable in this economic climate.

NotFlo · Sep 27, 2011

Every area may be different, but as an LPN myself I would skip the LPN thing and go straight for the RN. I'd probably work part-time as a tech in a hospital if I had the opportunity. Very part time, like every other weekend or a couple shifts per week at the most.

Hospitals around here don't count LPN experience as nursing experience, you're still an RN brand new grad, and they look down on LTC experience...in fact sometimes I think they actually hold it against you.Or at least it seems like they do.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Sep 27, 2011

your goal is critical care? do the tech thing, because you'll be in a position to see and learn a lot more than you will in ltc, and you will be making brownie points with that hospital because you'll tell everyone you chose that route and want to learn as much as you can as a nursing student working for them. you'll have a leg up on the new grads who apply to the same hospital right out of school without that.

there's a big difference between "i can do xyz tasks because i use my lpn license" and "i can learn a lot by working side by side with rns without getting too socialized in the lpn role, out of which it's hard to move when i am an rn." it's only a year. if need be, if you can't get an rn job right away, you can get an lpn job then to tide you over. i'm betting you won't need to-- you sound like a pretty smart and organized person and will do well.

i<3u · Sep 27, 2011

your goal is critical care? do the tech thing, because you'll be in a position to see and learn a lot more than you will in ltc, and you will be making brownie points with that hospital because you'll tell everyone you chose that route and want to learn as much as you can as a nursing student working for them. you'll have a leg up on the new grads who apply to the same hospital right out of school without that.

there's a big difference between "i can do xyz tasks because i use my lpn license" and "i can learn a lot by working side by side with rns without getting too socialized in the lpn role, out of which it's hard to move when i am an rn." it's only a year. if need be, if you can't get an rn job right away, you can get an lpn job then to tide you over. i'm betting you won't need to-- you sound like a pretty smart and organized person and will do well.

thank you sooooo much grntea! you're post means a lot! i see that you have experience in the fields that i am interested in and your advice makes a lot of sense. i plan to work on my resume over the next few months, since i'll be able to get my cna license after completing my fundamentals course. the extern/tech positions in my area ask for nursing students that have completed fundamentals and/or those with cna license.

mazy · Sep 27, 2011

I'm an LPN and if I had it to do all over again, and had really thought this through, I would have been a PCT at a hospital while studying, test out for my LPN after the first year, just in case, but continue doing the hospital PCT then go into the RN program and hopefully accumulate enough contacts to work in a hospital.

Another avenue to try is to be an ER health tech. From what I've seen they get a lot of really good hands-on experience.

You are going to have a lot better time of it transitioning into a hospital if you prove yourself now, you'll make contacts, and be able to network so that even if you don't get a job at that hospital, you will know people at other facilities, and you will get a really good skill set, and you will get to know the personalities and the politics.

I had a family member in the hospital a while back and I was amazed at what the PCTs were allowed to do. Wish I had gone that route to my RN.

Ergh. I was offered a hospital job right out of the CNA program and I turned it down. I could kick myself for that.:smackingf