Is it worth going to school for LPN (2014)?

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

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I went to register for the LPN course that starts in fall, but the one of the women there told me that LPN aren't in demand and I'll have a hard time finding a job and if I do, I won't make much. But another said that it wasn't true. Am I going into a field thats not in demand and has a dead end? I they're any new LPN's can you share your experience and your start off pay??

Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

In Indiana, there are plenty of LPN jobs. I lucked out and only had to wait one year for my "dream job" of being an ER nurse. Sadly, even that is fading because day after day I see respect for my LPN position at the ER get mildly less and less important. As far as salary, my first year of work within a correctional setting was ~$28,000 / year. At the ER I now make ~$38,000- sadly, its only because the ER has so much opportunity for overtime and I guarantee, in terms of hours worked, I am one of the hardest working nurses that ER has.

Sadly, my salary will never compare to an RN who makes $10-$12 more per hour.

In regards to LTC- it is a significant boost in pay however, from my personal experience, staffing ratios are hideous and poor nursing care is a result. Perhaps it is not this way everywhere else, but if I had not managed to get on my career path as I had, I would have left nursing by now.

Good luck with your decision. An LPN is a very honorable career path, and if you become a good LPN, you will make such a large difference in your patient's life. Sadly, these days, LPNs are under appreciated and gain little acknowledgement for their arduous, and very difficult work.

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Thanks for the topic and to all for the comments. Just the things I need to hear, I too am in the same boat. I have come to the conclusion in spite of it all it will be worth it, I have faith. I'll be one step closer to RN without all the normal stress of getting into a program. Eventually I believe I will find a job, when I get to that road I will cross it.

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Specializes in LTC/SNF.

Here in Eastern New Mexico LPNs can work LTC starting at $17/hr or corrections starting at $19. To compare, the hospital starts RNs at $24.50 not including shift differentials. LPN is a good job, but being a RN gives you so many more possibilities. I am taking my NCLEX-PN next month and then I will graduate from my program and be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN this December. I live in a small rural area with a busy nursing school, so I am hoping that I will be able to get a job...

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what's your ultimate goal? LPN? RN? it's hard to find a job as a new LPN grad, but it's harder to find a job as a new RN who has to supervise the LPN and CNAs.

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I am lucky here in VA, several of the hospitals count 2 years of LPN experience as one year of RN experience.

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I became a LPN in 2009 and it served me well. I made great money, always had a job and it was a wonderful stepping stone to becoming a RN. Do what you need to do and don't worry about what others think.

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I've been thinking the same way. I figured if I can't get into nursing school due to my 3.4 GPA - it's that competitive here! If you decide to go private school you can get right in but at the expense of $55,000. I would rather go to a LPN program and work to get experience and bridge to a BSN program. I would take longer school and experience over 55k any day.

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Specializes in critical care.

I am in Texas and I was an LVN for 3 years before finishing my RN. I went back to school in my late 20's, married, bills, debt, etc, and was going to have a hard time pulling together the prerequisites I needed, plus spend 2 years in school for a direct path to RN. So, LVN was a way to become a nurse in a shorter span, and get a reasonably paying job while I continue my education. I spent one year in a nursing home, then one year on a med/surg floor in a hospital that still staffs LVN's, then one year in an ER (level 1 trauma). This particular ER used LVN's instead of having techs or medics. So, I did lots of CPR, lots of IV's, pushed IV meds, lots of nursing skills in general while the primary RN did assessments and documentation. It was an interesting experience. I think that ER has since phased out the LVN's and just staff extra RN's now, but I got the experience while I could. I also worked some home health as an LVN. Overall my LVN pay ranged from 16.50/hr with differentials to 20/hr.

My recommendation would not be to pursue a career as an LVN. However, if LVN is a means to an end, and a way to bridge the gap to being an RN (like I did), then it is a reasonable choice.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I am happy so many responded to this post! I was talked out of LPN by my college counselor who told me the exact same thing, no more LPNs. Ridiculous! I see jobs for them all the time in the job sites. I think I will work on my LPN first after I get my CNA finished!

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I think it depends where you want to work. If you think you would enjoy nursing home work, they love new grads. I started working the day I graduated. Quite a few of my classmates started at a few different nursing homes too. The pay can probably start as low as 14 and up to about 16.Not that much at first but usually there is plenty of overtime. Some places might offer charge and differential pay. So that's not bad if you're used to working customer service.I guess it depends where you live. I used to live in Central NY and now I'm in South Florida. All you need is about six months of experience and then you can work with the agencies making a little more. I think starting as an LPN is sometimes better because then you get experience because a lot of these fresh RN grads don't know a thing about nursing. In South Florida, some don't even know English. I find myself helping them out a lot. Don't get me wrong, I'm pursuing my RN but I think it is easier because I already work in the field and a lot is expected when you hold that RN title. Currently I work as a school nurse and I love it because it doesn't stress me out. I also work at a nursing home and in the dept of corrections for extra experience. Ultimately you have to just do research, because unfortunately, I'm hearing the same thing about fresh RN grads and not being able to find a job.I work with a lot of RNs doing the same job as me, because the hospitals want BSNS. It's pretty scary to think you do all that hard work in school and then can't find work. My last piece of advice is to not be picky. You have to be willing to work anywhere and any shift just to get experience. Good Luck!!!!:rolleyes:

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Not if you can get in to an RN program. It depends on how much time and money you have to spend on your education. If you can do RN, do it.

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Specializes in Telemetry Technician.

I passed my NCLEX in Nov. 2012. I had a job two days after i found out i passed boards. I live in a small town with one hospital. My job title is LVN/Tele Tech in the ICU. I'm IV Certified and completed the Dyshythmia for monitor tech's course. I don't take report on a pt everyday but i do help with pt care in the ICU. All the nurses i work with let me practice my skills and do as much as possible within the scope of my practice. I would say it is hard for LVN's to get a job but i wouldnt say its a complete waste of time. I'm learning things just by being in a hospital setting while Im continuing my education to RN. It is also a plus because Im making money to put myself through school.

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