Is becoming a LPN a good career

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Hello all! I have been an MA for about 8 yrs, I'm debating whether or not to apply to lpn school. I do not want to work in a hospital. I guess i am hoping for some imput from others. I also contiue to here LPN's are going away, I hope this is not true. Thanks so much

Specializes in Home Care.

There is a difference between the use of LPNs in parts of Canada vs much of the US. Where I live in Canada LPNs are replacing many RN positions because LPNs cost less.

Before deciding on whether or not you want to become a nurse of any kind you need to research the current and projected job market for your area.

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I think it would be more cost effective to a hospital to have a RN as the charge nurse and have a couple LPN's on each floor. Why on earth are they pushing LPNs out of the hospitals? These facilities are going to go broke if they keep this up with the new healthcare regulations and standards that they have to meet now.

In my opinion, LPN's are not going away. They are worth their weight in gold especially in this very fluid healthcare market. Cutting costs is the main focus at this point.

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Specializes in geriatrics, IV, Nurse management.

I'm an rpn/lpn director of care. Lpn/rpns are not going anywhere but up. Our scope is always evolving.

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I would strongly suggest that you continue on to get your RN degree. It would be more profitable in a long run.

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I think it would be more cost effective to a hospital to have a RN as the charge nurse and have a couple LPN's on each floor. Why on earth are they pushing LPNs out of the hospitals? These facilities are going to go broke if they keep this up with the new healthcare regulations and standards that they have to meet now.

In my opinion, LPN's are not going away. They are worth their weight in gold especially in this very fluid healthcare market. Cutting costs is the main focus at this point.

This also depends on the state's scope of practice.

For example, here in California, LVNs (what we call LPNs) are not allowed to push and hang IV medications. LVNs with IV certification can start and care for IVs and hang fluids but no IV pain meds, antibiotics etc. This severely limits a LVN's assignment in most hospital floors so I can see why California hospitals do not favor LVNs anymore. A med-surg LVN would be at a disadvantage if 4 out of his/her 5 patients had IV meds, and would have to rely on a RN to give those meds.

This, of course, it not meant to be a slight to LVNs. I was one myself but the realities of the Southern CA job market were just not pretty.

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Hello I am a New Lpn planning to move me in my daughter to Georgia. ... can someone tell me the start pay for Lpns? In Atlanta Smyrna Marietta Buckhead?

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Specializes in Pediatric Private Duty; Camp Nursing.
Hello I am a New Lpn planning to move me in my daughter to Georgia. ... can someone tell me the start pay for Lpns? In Atlanta Smyrna Marietta Buckhead?

I would recommend starting a new thread for this question, for best response.

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Specializes in Pediatric Private Duty; Camp Nursing.
I'm I very knowledgeable,articulate individual who choose to be ignorant,I'm licensed,your probably not.this is a crazy world there in crazy

Hey, I'm just offering you advice on how to get others to take you more seriously as a professional. If you choose to be ignorant, people will see you that way. Why would you even be okay with that? You certainly aren't hurting anyone but yourself. Lashing out at good, yet harshly direct advice with poor spelling and punctuation is not going to convince anyone you are knowledgeable and articulate.

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It depends on YOU. I went to a vocational LPN program. The program was 10 months (full time) and I am able to work as a nurse while I slowly go on to RN-ASN then hopefully (fingers crossed) BSN. It works for me as I enjoy gaining experience while continuing my education. And, even part time, its good money.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Before you decide on becoming a LPN, research your area; did out if they are being new grad LPNs, etc. Also research the schools, and programs.

As a LPN, I was able to work at a Rehab Hospital; clinics, Peds home health and Peds extended care facility; Orthopedic surgeon (Peds) office, LTC/Sub Acute, Medicare Chart reviews; what made me return to school was finding out that I could not get certified in any specialty I worked in. :no:

I went back to school after five years being an LPN; my prerequisites complete, an I had an associates at the time. I have been an RN for over 18 months; I am currently a supervisor in a nursing home; I have gotten job offers in critical care; but want to hone my new practice...I still get job inquiries for rehab, as well as to return to the hospital.

If you decide to go on to get your RN, I would go for the BSN; the writing is on the wall; if you research in your area and ADNs are sill getting jobs, there may be a chance that when you graduate, the standard will be for BSN only, and you will be in the same position; find out from the hospitals what they are requiring or looking for, and still go for the BSN.

Just humble opinion.

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Specializes in Critical Care & Acute Care.

Depends on your area but typically RN is the better choice. LPN is good but pay isn't what RNs make. However, if you can do an LPN program without much wait then you can always bridge over.

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