LPN or BSN

Chrissygraduatenurse, LPN · Jan 28, 2016

Did that already...stand by what I posted plus know several nurse recruiters from the major city hospitals;also keep in mind they can advertise but still don't fill positions, especially when the priority is to hire a nurse with a full scope for the acute areas-no positions in Med-Surg, Maternity, ER are hiring LPNs in the city hospitals...and the Children's Hospitals hire RNs only for all floors.
No "acute care LPNs" no more-that was the point of my post-If one is in the Philadelphia, PA area and wants to work in a specialty, best bet is to go for RN, preferably BSN, because that is the priority.
But thanks for playing newbie!

If you checked you would see..... :nono:

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jan 28, 2016

If you checked you would see.....

I'm not going back and forth with someone who is waiting for their ATT, who had not worked as a LPN in the Philadelphia, PA area and who has not job hunted and had the same experiences as me and others who have been in my situation; If you know the business as much as I know it, just because it's advertised DOESN'T mean anything...they can post and STILL and WILL go for a BSN over a LPN who has a limited scope.

I'm interested in helping the OP and others by providing REAL information to those who want to go into specialities and don't want those who want to do acute care-like I said before, Med-Surg, Tele, Inpatient Peds, ICU, Trauma, ER, Transplant floor, etc., to get their LPN and end up having to get their RN, preferably their BSN in the Philadelphia, PA area-eating time and money; if one doesn't mind being outside of the hospital, there are opportunities for LPNs. The positions for LPNs are few in hospitals in inpatient units as BSNs rule in this area; if that was the case I would be working side by side with LPNs now; I don't because the hospital I work for phased them out in 2002.

To say that LPNs are working in acute areas as the ones I described-as I noted you weren't keen on reading, because you think that you are correct, instead of actually learning and gaining insight from someone who is actually working and has worked for 15 years in healthcare, 10 years of nursing total and have worked in the area, clocking in and clocking out and had to adjust to the market changes-is inaccurate; you can go back and forth but you have no idea whatsoever what thousands have endured before you, which I know about because I LIVED it.

You have your position once you pass your boards; you may be in the small minority but it doesn't show the full picture of what is really happening and has been happening since the late 2000s-BSN is KING in the Philadelphia, PA area when getting an acute care position-there have been others like you who think they know everything...until they actually enter the nursing world-but think what you must...there are your nursing peers who can demonstrate otherwise.

Best wishes.

Bess87 · Jan 28, 2016

Speaking from experience, I would go for your ASN because the stigma against LPNs is huge. Also, as above commenters stated, your job opportunities would be limited.

TeeKay12 · Jan 29, 2016

becoming an LPN is the fastest way to Nursing, then you can bridge. As for LPNs being phased out, this is a myth.

In my area, no-one hires LPNs. No-one. It's hard to find a position if you have an ASN. Experienced LPNs in the hospital network I used to work for were phased out of bed-side care and became Techs (CNAs basically), IF they were given a position at all. Most were given a couple of years to get their RN, but if they didn't have it, were let go. And the LPNs who had in many, many years more experience than I did made $10-$15/hour LESS. Other hospital networks just phased them out completely. Even the nursing homes have stopped hiring LPNs. They all want RNs.

This may not be true of all places, but in the larger metropolitan areas, it is.

%D#2 · Jan 30, 2016

It depends on where you live. Where there is more elderly population will most likely have more jobs for LPN. Yes they are practically phased out in a lot of areas but in a LOT they prefer mostly LPNS cause they don't want to pay a bunch of RNS. They want mostly LPNs and some RNs on staff for supervision or administration. We have one RN where I work and all LPNs but it really does depend on where you are.

My advice, if you want to do the "totem pole" route like I am doing, like just keep going up in scope of practice and keep going back to school, nothing wrong with that. My career has gone like this: CNA, pct, paramedic, LPN, and I plan on going back for ASN, Then bsn, and maybe even further.

It's great experience although not counted toward RN experience but jobs will look at your resume and be most likely at the very least, impressed and see an inspiration, they will hire you as entry level though, which I won't mind as long as I get a job.

If I had to do it all over.. I may have gone straight for RN but I am okay with how I did things now and no regrets. It depends on your financial situation and how fast you need that $$$ too. I wanted LPN so I could work as fast as possible and get tuition $$ toward RN and I also feel that having worked my way up has given me great insight to all people I work with and what they do. My CNAs tell me I'm great hands on and very fast and helpful and I think it's cause I have worked in this field since I was fresh out of High School. So whatever you do, just look into job availability in your area. If you like LTC and you see a lot of jobs, go for it :)

%D#2 · Jan 30, 2016

As to my previous post it won't let me edit but I wanted to clarify.. The places I was talking about preferring LPN due to less pay out is LTC mostly. If you want acute care, go for RN