LPN options

[hair_tie]

This fall I am going to hopefully start the LPN program. Right now we live in between Pontiac and Flint. I know I live in a great spot to make the most money I can. My husband is from Oscoda, we have tried to make it up there a few times but with no college education there was no hope. After I get my LPN I want to move back up to that area. I know it has the highest unemployment rate, 9.5%, but I love the area. I just wanted to hear any experiences anyone has had up there. I would love to live From Tawas up to Alpena and over to the 65 corridor. How are the nursing jobs up there and how is the pay? Anything over min. wage is a raise for me but I would like to get a decent wage for the area. Thanks.

[jessi1106, BSN, RN]

I really do not know about nursing jobs in that area. I live is SE MI, but I wanted to encourage you to continue to look and make sure that LPN jobs are availiable. In my unit they are no longer hiring LPNs, only RNs. It would just be terrible to go through all of the schooling and spend all of the money and then not find a job. Have you also looked into RN programs? I think it is an extra year? And RN pay is generally higher.

Best of luck to you!

[Carebear77]

I'm not sure in that area either but don't get discouraged.I hear people telling me all the time that they are not hiring anymore LPN's but they are. We can't do clinicals at any place that does not hire LPN's and so far we are at 3 different hospitals this semester POH, Gensys, and Detroit receiving (there were more hospitals but that is how it worked out this semester). My dean of nursing (who has her masters) told us that they (hospitals)realized after getting rid of LPN's years ago that they made a mistake and regardless if it is a RN or LPN they need nurses, and that she was a LPN for about 20 years before she got her masters.

Also another note, at last semesters clinicals we were at a facility owned by beaumont and they hire LPN's around $28.00 an hour (with shift difference as well).

Sometimes when life throws you a curve ball you have to hit it regardless if that was not what you wanted. I wanted to get into a RN program but it just happend I got into a LPN faster and will go on for my RN as soon as I'm done this August, and will be done quicker than if I had waited to get into the other program. So in the end it works out and if LPN is the way you need/want to go then go for it.

You're going to be going to Baker Auburn Hills right? I'm sure I'll see you around if your going to be applying for the program. Good luck :)