Info/Insight: Med/Surg as New LPN in Oklahoma???

[WideOpenHeart]

Hi! I am an LPN student in a small town in Oklahoma - Duncan. I'll be graduating at the end of June and taking my NCLEX very soon after. I'd like to return to the OKC metro area (my "hometown" area) for work once licensed, but I'm wondering whether I would be wisest to stay here and work in Med/Surg (if hired) at our local hospital while I bridge to RN over the next couple of years.

(I have about one year of pre-reqs left, and then the 9-month bridge.)

I've heard that it is much more difficult for new LPNs to get a Med/Surg job in the city than in a rural area, and that LPNs in the OKC area don't make much more than LPNs here, though the cost of living is higher - but I don't know if that is really true.

I've also heard that LPNs in rural Oklahoma areas get to execute more skills than those hired in metro-area hospitals - but, again, I don't know if that is true.

I know I could live very cheaply/affordably here in this rural area while finishing my prereqs and bridge, but I very much miss my family and life in OKC.

Any insight or information on the job market for LPNs in Med/Surg in Oklahoma, generally - and/or Duncan, Norman (my "home base"), and/or OKC would be appreciated.

Also, I am a Chickasaw citizen and would love to hear from people who work for the tribe... if this is you, do you like it? Would you recommend others apply for the Chickasaw Nation?

Thanks in advance to anyone who responds!

:)

[newlygradLPN]

I'm wondering the same thing. I've heard that Mercy and Kindred do look for LPNs.