Non-nursing job with LVN education

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

I graduated from LVN school in January 2012 and am waiting to schedule my NCLEX-PN. However, I dread the thought of becoming a nurse. I realized this about halfway through my nursing program and thought it was just a phase but it hasn't gone away. I feel like I'd be happier with an administrative job. What kind of job can I get in administration as an LVN?

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

1. Staffing coordinator

2. Director of wellness

3. Assistant director of nursing

4. Case manager

5. Wound clinician

6. Unit manager

7. Marketing liaison

8. Director of staff development

9. MDS coordinator

However, all of these administrative positions will usually require some bedside experience as an LVN. You usually do not see new grad LVNs immediately step into an administrative role without having first worked as a bedside nurse, especially with the horrible state of the U.S. economy.

In addition, the reality is that the LVN training is geared toward producing a bedside nurse. You might need to return to school and change careers if you wish to avoid this type of work.

I was an OR nurse for 5 years after college to get the experience under my belt so I could transition into a role without patient care or contact. I started out doing QA/PA for a hospital then transitioned into case management and now do nurse auditing. I could NEVER got back to a patient care setting or having to deal with long hours, call, etc.

Thank you both for your comments. I guess the biggest issue for me is that I don't have the required experience to be hired into an administrative position. Jenniferelliott, were you hired as a new grad LVN/LPN into the OR? I wouldn't mind working in the OR, but I'm pretty sure they don't hire LVNs.

Every single administrative-type job posting that I have looked at in several years has always stated that experience was required. You should expect to have to do a minimum amount of patient contact nursing before you can move into an admin position. At least you would be gaining that experience with a goal in sight. Good luck.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, LTC.

I'm pretty sure you are nvot going to get those admin jobs listed in the first reply. ADON? no way! That's an RN job., and an RN with experience. How can you lead nurses if you've never done their job? Director of staff development?? No way! In fact none of those positions belong to an LPN/LVN. MAYBE staffing, but yuck! What a thankless job.

"In addition, the reality is that the LVN training is geared toward producing a bedside nurse. You might need to return to school and change careers if you wish to avoid this type of work."

agree.

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
ADON? no way! That's an RN job., and an RN with experience.
I live in a large metro area where experienced LVNs are hired into the ADON position, especially in nursing homes. The LVN scope of practice is wide open in this state.

Director of staff development?? No way!
I'll reiterate that the area where I live uses LVNs to fill the role of the DSD (director of staff development), especially in LTC. In fact, it was an LVN DSD who hired me into my very first LVN job back in 2006.

In fact none of those positions belong to an LPN/LVN. MAYBE staffing, but yuck! What a thankless job.
I've seen LVNs fill the role of director of wellness at local assisted living facilities. They've also functioned as unit managers in LTC, case managers at rehab hospitals, MDS coordinators in nursing homes, wound care nurses, marketing liaisons, ADONs, and so forth. I would not have mentioned any of the aforementioned positions if I had not seen local LVNs filling these administrative roles previously.
namastenurse: i have worked in many large cities with lpn's as charge nurses and don. just because you are an rn doesn't remain you are qualified for a leadership position.

I graduated from LPN school in April 2001 and started working in the OR as a nurse extern scrub until I got licensed in August 2001. In Tennessee and Arkansas where I have worked most of the SCA, Scrubs and PSA's are all LPN's or scrub techs. A lot of surgery centers also hire LPN's as sedation nurses, pre-op, post and precert.

I know here in San Diego, the UCSD extension program offers a case management program, with state certification. It's $1200, and only takes a week or so to complete. I'm considering doing this after I finish LVN school, so that I'll have more to offer. I also have a BA in Sociology, so hopefully I can find a way to transition away from bedside contact and into a more educational or administrative type roll.

Specializes in Med-Surg/urology.

I've seen ADON positions & LPN's are encouraged to apply, provided they have a few yrs of experience. This is in MD.

Anyways, I wanted to add, maybe you could check out being a unit secretary at a hospital or nursing home? That might interest you. Even working in a Dr's office may be a good option to consider as well. Good luck OP :)

I know here in San Diego, the UCSD extension program offers a case management program, with state certification. It's $1200, and only takes a week or so to complete. I'm considering doing this after I finish LVN school, so that I'll have more to offer. I also have a BA in Sociology, so hopefully I can find a way to transition away from bedside contact and into a more educational or administrative type roll.

Thanks for the info! I'll definitely consider this.

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