im confused. should i go for bsn if employers prefer lpns?

[smartnurse1982]

I come on allnurses and look at trends in my old state, and it seems employers only want bsn's. I got motivated; however,in my area(the south) they only seem to want lpns. Lpn ads outnumber rn ads 2 to 1 in the classified section of the newspaper. I have an lpn license that I could just reactivate any time. I'm motivated. To go for the bsn esp after reading about Pa supporting bsn as the entry level in another part of allnurses,but then I sit and think what good would it do to spend more money to get the bsn if employers want lpns? Kinda shoots my enthusiasm to do the bsn down. Where I'm at in this area of the country,it doesn't seem to support the argument to get the bsn. Any suggetstions appreciated,because I don't want to spend 10000 on a bsn and still not get hired in a hospital. Meanwhile,I don't want to be left behind while every other nurse has a bsn.

I don't understand how the local markets are different with trends,any explanations?

[neutrophil]

Well I am an LVN, (same thing as a LPN), I am not going for my BSN, because it would take me too long. I will be 52 in December. But I am going to take pre reqs for my step up program to ADN. I am a firm believer in education. Regardless of what the market is. Education can only make you better.

[Otessa, BSN, RN]

LPNs usually make less per hour than RNs so that may be why.

Are you going to live where you are forever?

[babyNP., APRN]

What do you want to do in nursing? I think it would a great step to you career to get your RN. Focus on that, then figure out if you want your BSN...

[JStyles1]

For one, stop looking in the newspaper for jobs. Jobs in the newspaper are typically the last places you want to work. Secondly, your post is a generalization based on your chosen venue of job searching. In actuality, "the south" does not prefer lpn's over bsn's, cheap employers looking for a specific skill set do. They want someone not educated enough to require more pay. The job does not require the critical thinking skills a BSN helps with so they do not want to pay for it. This is commonly seen in doctor's offices, sitters, etc.

[healthstar, BSN, RN]

I never heard that employers prefer LPN's over RN's, I was told that now the hospitals want the LPN's to get a BSN.

[babyNP., APRN]

Do LPNs get BSNs??

I thought BSNs were only for RNs...

[nohika]

Do LPNs get BSNs??

I thought BSNs were only for RNs...

Some universities have a LPN-BSN program.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I never heard that employers prefer LPN's over RN's, I was told that now the hospitals want the LPN's to get a BSN.

The op said that jobs were available, but didn't specify what kind of jobs. They might be in nursing homes.

I agree with the poster that stated you should look at your long-term goals. I think you should still stay focused on getting your RN, BSN for long term financial and career rewards.

The future for BSNs and RNs is bright, despite it being a bit grim right now with the bad economy.

[smartnurse1982]

Oh,I should have made nyself clear. I am an adn rn,been for the past 2 years,but was an lpn for 4 years. I do private duty nursing and would like to work in a hospital,but I'm just an adn,and in Nj I had hard time trying to get hired in a hospital,so I went south,only to find employers prefer lpns. I'm also here to stay in the south,all my family is here.

I thought by getting the associates I could do other things,but I'm still doing the same things as I did as an lpn,private duty and ltc.

Someone pointed out about the type of jobs in the newspaper,and yes they were for ltc,hospice,and home care,and I don't have a problem doing either of those,but if they are not looking for an rn,why bother? At that point,a job,no matter the type,was more important to me.

[smartnurse1982]

For one, stop looking in the newspaper for jobs. Jobs in the newspaper are typically the last places you want to work. Secondly, your post is a generalization based on your chosen venue of job searching. In actuality, "the south" does not prefer lpn's over bsn's, cheap employers looking for a specific skill set do. They want someone not educated enough to require more pay. The job does not require the critical thinking skills a BSN helps with so they do not want to pay for it. This is commonly seen in doctor's offices, sitters, etc.

In all actuality,I applied to this med surg floor at a local hospital. They never called me,and it kept getting posted for 4 months. One day,I saw that they were looking for an lpn for the same med surg floor,with the same job decription,everything was the same except they were now looking for an lpn. I'm already having it bad as an rn,which is why I don't want to waste time on a bsn if employers still don't want to hire me because I cost too much.

[caliotter3]

What are the chances you might be motivated to move? I would not hold back because of what employers seem to want. It is what you want that matters to you. If you want to get a BSN, then you will find a job to utilize that degree somewhere. Or you can always continue with your present course.