Is it worth it anymore to pursure LPN?

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A friend of mine who is an RN at a hospital, as well as my sister, who is an RRT at a different hospital, tells me it's not worth it anymore. I've been told LPN's are being phased out, as more and more facilities are instead hiring CNA's to work under the RN.

My concern is that my GPA thus far, isn't going to make me top choice for nursing school, and the wait time is a minimum of 3+ years around where I live. I was considering taking a LPN course in the meantime, to gain valuable experience, but I've been told it's basically a waste of money. :uhoh3:

Your thoughts?

Thanks so much!

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Specializes in Telemetry, OB, NICU.

I agree with the people around you. Lpn's work areas are very limited which is mostly LTC. If that' what you wanna do, go ahead. But if you want hospital job, that totally depends. Check your area to see the job oppotunities.

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I would do some research about the job prospects in your region. I was an LPN and felt limited because hospital jobs are very few and far in between and it's not as easy as people claim to get a HH job with no other experience. When I got my LPN license the only place that was willing to hire me was LTC. There are some opportunities in substance abuse and outpatient clinics but the overall picture in my region is of limited job opportunities for LPNs.

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I am an LPN and am working on an ADN degree. I would love to work in a hospital when I'm done and am looking for LPN work now, but there is none around here in hospital. I have been applying for CNA jobs. :-/

I could not go straight into an RN program and I wish I could have - where I come from (Ontario) there are only LPN and BSN programs and I did not have all of the pre-req sciences. Do the RN if you want to work in hosp!

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Specializes in n/a.

I was torn between LPN or CNA. (I'm doing prereqs now, but in my area, you get extra "points" if you work in healthcare and it's so competitive every point counts!) I just went to all the area hospitals' job postings to see what they were hiring for. I found ONE LPN job at a hospital, and it was only PRN. There are tons and tons of CNA jobs in the hospitals. So, that's the route I'm going. It's a much quicker and more affordable course anyway.

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Specializes in Home Health, Long-Term Care.

What I'm considering is going to LPN or EMT school to become an ER Tech, then go to RN school to become a nurse. It'd probably be an easier trek if I had an LPN since I could do an LPN to RN program as opposed to waiting two more years after the EMT training to get in. Lots of LPNs get hired on as techs in ERs, but I'm not sure it's not at tech money ($13 an hour.)

After having seen what I have seen in Long-Term care, I have no intention of ever going back again.

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Specializes in LTC Family Practice.

If your ultimate goal is RN and it sounds like there are few opportunities for LPN's in your area, I'd do the CNA course and work while you continue your pre-reqs.

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Specializes in LTC.

I'm currently a LPN and soon to be RN graduate ! I find that my experience as a LPN was very valuable and I'm able to make decent money while finishing up RN school.

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Specializes in LTC currently.

Personally, I think it is worth it to become an lpn while pursuing your RN. You don't have anything to lose, except gain skills that you can use toward your RN completion program, and when you do become a new grad RN, you will have advantages over others since you already have work experience. Maybe I'm one of the more different ones on this board, but I actually enjoy working with the geriatric population.

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It takes a shorter period of time to get your associates degree in nursing. It is one year of prereq's, 1 year to get your LPN, and 1 year your ADN. That is one year less than the 4 year programs and a lot cheaper at your local community college. I will sit for the same boards and will be a RN when I get done. So while the people that went the route of a 4 year university are in their senior year working on their BSN I will be working as an RN doing my BSN online. It kind of seems like a no brainer to me. I will have zero school debt and I will be working a whole year sooner.

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I agree with the previous 2 posts, the experience you gain as an LPN is invaluable. I'm coming into nursing from a different career path. I came in with my eyes wide open as to what I wanted to do. The only things I knew were: I was getting the LPN so I could work, then the RN for more options, and I didn't want LTC. Well guess what, got the LPN, started at a LTC, and now I'm not sure that I want to leave. I finish my ADN in 12 weeks, then on to the BSN, but between clinicals and work, I've realized that LTC is not as bad as people make it out to be. So yes, it is worth it, if just to learn what you can do.

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Specializes in Pediatric.

I am an LPN. Right out of school I got a job in pediatric home health. Now I work with high-tech peds clients and am working on my BSN. I agree with the others who said the experience you gain as an LPN is invaluable. I have learned so much about being a nurse in the last year. I am making GREAT money as an LPN and I'm paying for my BSN w/o taking loans. There are alot more options for an LPN than LTC. I did not want to work LTC and got criticized by other nurses b/c they said "you are a new LPN, why don't you go to LTC." So I found something that I enjoy, make great money, and am gaining experience for when I'm an RN (I want to work in nicu/picu in a hospital). I am glad I got my LPN first. Good luck with your decision!

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