Is becoming a lvn a waste of time?

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I'm 19 and I'm thinking about becoming a LVN. I know that it would be best to get a BSN, but my family is extremely dysfunctional.

For starters my parents can't afford to financially support me through school(I go to a CC). That's not a big deal though because I work a part time and get grants. It just makes things a a little more difficult. The biggest reason I want to get the LVN is because my family is always fighting. They have been having screaming matches for the last two days and yesterday it got physical. This environment is stressing me out and I can feel it affecting my mental health in a negative way. I'm sick of dealing with constant arguments. I really want to get a stable income and move out as soon as possible.

if I do become a LVN I will most definitely stay in school part time to become a RN. So that isn't my concern. I'm just worried that I won't be able to find a job. I'm not worried about not being able to work in a hospital but I hear that the job prospects aren't too good for LVN's. I live in Houston,Texas if that helps.

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, Med-Surg/Tele, LTC.

As long as your expectations remain realistic in that you're likely not going to get a hospital job as an LVN, there are still plenty of job opportunities for LVNs in SNFs, clinics, and home health.

I didn't find becoming an LVN a waste of time. I graduated with a Bachelor's in the social sciences and could not find a job, so my sister told me to go into nursing. I had zero prerequisites done, so trying to go the straight BSN route would result in four MORE years of schooling without working. Going the LVN route first allowed me to start working as a nurse after my one year of LVN school. I already had two years of nursing experience under my belt by the time I finished my pre-reqs, 3 years by the time I got my ADN, and 5 years by the time I got my BSN.

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Specializes in LTC and Pediatrics.

From what you write, I am thinking getting the LVN is a good idea. You can get a job, move out, get yourself stabilized and then in a year or two bridge to the ADN.

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I didn't think it was a waste of time when I did it, it also depends on your situation and in your situation I think becoming an LVN first can benefit you financially if you want to move out asap, you can complete your LVN and get a job and start working on your RN. There are LVN to RN programs all over Texas colleges, and LVN to BSN programs too that you can pursue after you finish. If you are not worried about working in a hospital then you can work in a nursing home, clinic, rehab facility, assisted living facilities. I am in Dallas and there are a lot of LVN jobs here, some people like to have 3 prn jobs and almost every nursing home will have prn nurses, you can also do home health. However, I always advise people to just do the RN program and not have to worry about the whole application process all over again because it can be tough and extremely competitive to get into the bridge program, but like I said, it all depends on your situation.

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Lots of RNs start out as LVNs, but it sounds like your frustrations regarding your family are of an urgent nature, and any nursing program takes a significant amount of time. While LVN school may take less time, it's not "easier" as some people assume.

If you're not planning on moving out, your dysfunctional home situation, in my view wouldn't be cured by going the LVN route.

Sorry you are having to deal with all that turmoil with your family.

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No, becoming a nurse is never 'a waste of time'. Nice way to ask that, by the way.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, NURSING EDUCATION.

Get your LVN, get a job in a nursing home and MOVE OUT! Then continue with your nursing education. I totally get the dysfunctional family thing and your mental health must come first. Good luck my dear!

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First...big hugs to you. I just started my LPN program and for me, it certainly isn't going to be a waste of time. Just know though, you will be working with people, it will be a steady pay check if you land the right job, and is very rewarding when you go in loving what you do.

Studying is hard enough, but having so much chaos around you, is going to be tough. Is there not an uncle, aunt, cousin, someone you can move in with to get out of the family drama?

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Short answer: getting LPN/LVN is NOT a waste of time.

The world of nursing is changing. We thought LPN/LVN would be phased out when I was in school for BSN. Yes, hospitals want BSNs, but there is a HUGE nursing shortage in MANY areas of the country. I don't know about Houston, but you can look on job boards to see what positions are available. The "bridge" programs are very popular where a student can work on advancing a degree while working as a nurse.

If you don't have a job as an aide, I would start there. Make sure you are committed to nursing as a career. Then, you can work on your LPN/LVN while gaining experience in healthcare. If you find a good long term care or rehabilitation facility, they will want to keep you when you graduate in a year. Then, you can continue working, gaining experience as an LPN while working on an RN (associate degree). When you get your RN (ADN), you will be eligible for hospital work and many other areas, and many times the facility will help pay for your BSN education!

I strongly suggest a part-time work schedule. School should be the focus.

Take the free rent at home as long as possible. Spend as little time at home as possible. Study elsewhere so you can concentrate.

Make friends at school. Form a study group. You may even be able to find good roommates to move in with who have the same focus on nursing as you do if the screaming/violence gets too much at home.

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It's not a waste of time. I became an LVN first so I could move out and get my feet wet in the nursing field. Now when I go back to an RN bridge program and eventually BSN program, I will have experience that will make it better!

I say go for it!

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Hello there!

I have been an LVN for 9 years now in Houston as well. I have a dysfunctional family and had an abusive BF at the time I graduated. I am so thankful that I was able to at least have the sense to do my LVN while I had the chance. My now EX let me quit Allstate and focus on LVN school. I was working for Fresenius Dialysis and was determined to make enough $ to get the "H" out of there. I was in Alvin at the time and eventually moved in with an LVN buddy I met at ACC.

I have experience in LTC, home health, pediatrics and womens health, dialysis and now work at a doctors office. I do want my RN now but it's hard now that I have all these bills. Nonetheless LVN has helped me but I wish I could get my RN, I pray one day I will make it happed. Good luck to you!!!

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