LPNs in hospitals?

[Lindamom]

I am thinking about becoming a LPN, but I would like to work in a hospital. Are there very many jobs for LPNs in hospitals, or only Long Term Care Facilities? Do most people these days just become a LPN as a stepping stone to becoming a RN?

I would appreciate help with these questions as I am trying to decide which avenue to pursue.

Thanks :)

[lifeisgood2012]

I am probably not the best person to give advice since I am a recent graduate without a job as of yet -

but LPN and RN jobs are very hard to get now - experience or no experience. I learned this after coming on this

board a few days ago and reading up on different discussion boards.

With that being said, because I feel like this is what my faith has led me to do, I still would have

(and am going to continue) my education. I went into LPN school thinking I wanted an office job -

that its all I would like. Then I started doing clinicals - and found that I LOVED nursing homes, the

VA psych unit and hospitals. Doing clinicals really suprised me and broaded my horizens as far as looking

for a job. Don't get me wrong - at this point I would work 4th shift in a basement somewhere as long

as I could be a nurse - but don't limit yourself.

Good luck with nursing school -

[caliotter3]

If you want to work in a hospital, become an RN and get a BSN. You will have a better chance at getting a hospital job with a BSN.

[knexx]

As you may have read in other posts, LVNs are being phased out in hospitals located in metropolitan areas. Not sure of rural areas.. But even the VA, one of the few hold-outs for LVNs in acute care, will be transitioning all LVNs into long term care and outpatient clinics. A few private catholic hospitals(in LA, St. Vincents and St. Francis) still hire LVNs in acute settings, but require experience and typically hire from within.

So as another poster mentioned, your best bet would be to go through RN school with a BSN. But at this time new grads even with a bachelors degree are having a hard time finding desireable employement. You just gotta network and/or know somebody.

[UpTheLadder12]

Yes if you want to work in a hospital, get at least your RN, but definitely pursue BSN, and even MSN in the long run. Nursing is one of those fields where every few years, something that could be done with an ADN changes to BSN, BSN changes to MSN, MSN changes to doctorate, etc.

I am a new grad LVN pursuing my BSN, no luck with LVN jobs so far. My plan was to work while going through school, but still working outside the field for now.

Some LVN/LPNs work in the subacute unit in hospitals, and I have even met some who actually get to work throughout the hospital, but that is the EXCEPTION to the rule. Some LTC's are even phasing out their LVNs with new grad RNs with a two-year degree, and now those RNs are having to go back for the bachelor's to get the jobs they were expecting to get in hospitals.

In nursing, I have learned to view it as a life long journey- not just "go to school, get the diploma, ok now you're a nurse"

There are so many specialty areas you can get certified in, as an LVN or RN, you can get some interesting Master's degrees as an RN or to become an NP.

But there are no guarantees right now, especially in this economy. Be open minded about opportunities, and pursue nursing by which ever path that feels right to you!