Is becoming an LPN worth it in my case?

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

I am a hospital sitter. I make $12/hr there and no benefits. Since they won't hire me as a CNA I have to cultivate more options. A CNA here (Nevada) makes $16/hr. I know that LPN's are primarily in skilled nursing here in town and I'm ok with that. Also, I with my completed courses can finish the LPN program in one year. In LTC they make $21/hr. I don't mind a $9/hr bump PLUS benefits.

Will becoming an LPN be worth it in the long run? I need to make more money ASAFP. From there I could do the CSN bridge to RN. My pending divorce is really screwing up my prior plans an as such I can't wait to get into the RN program. A year for prerequisites alone?? I can be making the money I need with benefits in this time.

There's so many programs here at CSN. Health IT, Respiratory Therapy, Rad Therapy, etc. By far this is gonna help me out the soonest. I really could use some insight. Also, this is all coming out-of-pocket. I can't get financial aid. I'm maxed out.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiology, Urgent Care.

Is nursing on your heart? Do you want to be a nurse? That needs to weigh in as well...no fun working hard for something if you don't really want it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello,

I am a LPN student who will be finish in Feb 2012. Yes it is worth it for me because I already have a degree in business that got me no where but a job at fast food. I got so tried of waiting on a job that I went to the hospital and they sent me to school for a nurse aide. I guess that was GOD way of saying you can do it. After about 4 years of only being a aide. I am now in school for LPN , this was a way for me to see if I can handle being a RN. Yes the school was high about $17,000. But I am so happy because I have learned to be patient with myself, to not run after what everyone else is doing. Here in Ohio the LPN make about $18-$22 right out of school. Sometime you have to take the long road to get to the high road. I am so happy:yeah:to become a LPN nurse in less then 90 days more. Yes it was hard and sometime I cried and I thought I wasn't going to finish but HERE I AM IN LAST QUARTER:D. Soon I will be a nurse THANK YOU GOD

Best of luck LPN are needed in all the nursing field....

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Does your state use medication aides and medical assistants? Are there laws pending to allow using med aides in nursing homes? Do your homework cause the real story about the future of LPN's is not being told.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Nevada doesn't use medication aides. However, there was talks about expanding the role of the CNA (for which I'm already certified). Now the $16/hr for CNA is only in hospitals. The SNF's are paying at most $11.25/hr to start.

I've applied for every opening for CNA at this hospital to no avail. I could do LPN school and work SNF making $21/hr instaed of the $12/hr I make now plus I'll have benefits. The extra money is needed in my situation. That one year of school is gonna be freakin' tough especially divorcing and all but necessary.

Yes I want to be a nurse. I am, it appears, will go through all the stops. Sitter, CNA, LPN (soon) & RN (eventually BSN as well). I may even move into NP realm but I'm just going one step at a time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The way I see it you can only profit by taking the plunge. Continue to earn money by working as a CNA on weekends or an occasional night shift while you are in school. You can do this if you plan your time wisely. Good luck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Now if only I can get the Medical Terminology class in this upcoming Spring and take the TEAS soon I'll be set for Fall 2012 to start LPN school at CSN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hello moneyline702,

You have to consider the job market in your area and whether nursing is right for you.

The job market for LVNs in my area is absolutely terrible. It is hard to get any sort of position much less one that has a steady pay and benefits. Needless to say, it would really, really suck if you got through nursing school and end up searching for a job for several months or more.

Is nursing right for you? A LVN program is quick but consider the amount of time, effort and psychological strength you will have to put forth. As a sitter, I am sure you have an idea of the pain and suffering people go through. Can you handle that? Can you rearrange your life to fit in 8+ hours of clinicals or classes 4 or 5 days straight plus study time afterwards? Can you shoulder the financial costs of not being able to work as much and forking out money for school expenses? Also, nurses in long term care are often worked to the bone. Is the typical workload of a LVN in your area something you can sustain?

No one here can answer that but you. I wish you the very best and hope you get through your divorce just fine.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm an LVN in LTC that had it in my heart to do this until I got on the floor. Now I'm scrambling like mad to get my classes finished up for RN so that I will hopefully never have to step foot in another LTC for the rest of my life, not as a floor nurse anyways.

Unfortunately, the world and HIPPA would never allow someone to be able to shadow a LTC nurse on the floor to see if this would be a career field for them.

If I could change how I did things, I had rather work 2 jobs doing something totally different while advancing forward with my RN.

Give it some thought and manipulate all possibilities for yourself in your mind and on paper before making the decision.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Given that I would have to do a year of prereq's before I get into RN school the LPN route seems better economically. I do have a CNA license but my current employer won't hire me as one. And yes, I do have over a year experience as a CNA in SNF's and corrections.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Go over your budget and see how much your monthly costs are. If you got a job for $16/hr as a CNA in a LTC you would be able to have access to getting guidance and first hand experiences from befriending nurses to let you see a little more than just what is seen on the surface. I say this because the two CNA's that work under me do not have a clue about what I do, nor anything to do with my job although we work closely together for 8 hours. What they see is me charting, taking vitals, passing meds, g-tubes, blood sugars, etc. They don't see the nitty gritty of it all.

So with your budget here is what you need to ask yourself.

Can I work as a CNA for $16/hr and what would the cost of LVN school vs 1 year of preq's for RN be? What financial aide support may I receive from the school if any for the LVN program vs preq's? There's a whole big picture to look at here and beyond.

I do wish you luck and please just take my words in a caring way. I love nothing more than to see someone make positive advancements in their careers. I enjoy giving others advice for the long term, not just for the here and now or the immediate gratification that each of us so dearly want.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If I were able to get a job as a CNA here at my current job I'd just pursue my BSN. I need more than the $12/hr I get and benefits. I can't get financial aid like I mentioned before. Since even with experience my employer won't hire me as a CNA I need to do something else soon! I was a CNA at a LTC. I have friends that are LPN's there that I poach for inside info. Yes, there's a lot more than what is seen that gets done. I looked into Pharmacy tech and Phlebotomy. Ultimately I want the RN but can't be without insurance and pay for three years of schooling on $12/hr.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment