LPNs Often Fare Better Than Some Degree Earners

[whichone'spink, BSN, RN]

If there's one thing I regret not doing, is getting my LPN license (or CNA or EMT-B or P) before I got into a 4 year nursing program.

[CLUVRN, MSN, RN]

This article is so true. My LPN has allowed me to earn a very good income so I can support myself while being able to pay out of pocket for my RN program. I do not for one second regret going the LPN route and once I rise up the RN ranks will never forget my LPN beginnings. My LPN education gave me a great foundation to build my nursing career on.

[chi449rk]

I just celebrated my one year anniversary as a CNA. I am in the process of looking at getting my nursing prerequisites out of the way so I can start a nursing program. I am so grateful that I chose to this path, especially when we have student nurses who are hitting the floor and coming into contact with patients for the first time. I can see where my hands on experience as a CNA will serve me well when I get to the place they're at. Even as a CNA working in a hospital, I'm doing better that I did when I owned my own business. At least now I get paid on a regular basis and I have insurance. Thank you for adding another spark to my inspiration.

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

People doom and gloom LVN's and while I'm earning slightly less now in order to have a less stressful job and flexible schedule for school I was earning $24hr in my second year of nursing so even in this economy the money is there is your willing to work a high stress job. That was more than some RN's in other places are making too.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

As a society we should be pushing as many high school kids as possible into trade-specific vocational programs. We need more unemployed "liberal arts" majors like we need a hole in the head.

[aharp33]

Some readers might be aware that a college bubble is forming in the United States. Since so many people in this day and age have earned college degrees when compared to previous generations, the value of having one has decreased in the employment market. Graduation from college or university no longer paves the road to good income, success, or the easy life. This is evidenced by the numerous college graduates who are unemployed or underemployed during this economic climate.

I worked as a licensed practical nurse (LPN) from 2006 until 2010 and did reasonably well during those years. No one is ever going to become rich by working as an LPN, but a comfortable life with decent income and middle class comforts are definitely within reach if you do not squander whatever money you earn. My 12-month diploma of vocational nursing and LPN license enabled me to earn a decent income, buy a newer construction house, park two vehicles in the driveway, amass a five-figure nest egg, save for retirement, and avoid living from paycheck to paycheck. By the way, I was accomplishing these things as a single female in my mid-twenties with no spouse or significant other.

I feel that practical education, hands-on job training, and the learning of trades have all been pushed to the wayside. Politicians, educators, and many parents are encouraging all young people to go to college without much regard to the chosen major or concentration. According to Cohan (2012), half of freshly minted college graduates are unemployed or underemployed. And the story does not stop there, because many grads are underemployed in jobs that do not require degrees. Young adults with bachelor's degrees are increasingly scraping by in lower-wage jobs-waiter or waitress, bartender, retail clerk or receptionist, for example-and that's confounding their hopes a degree would pay off despite higher tuition and mounting student loans (USA Today, 2012).

Many of the university graduates who have earned baccalaureate degrees in art history, classics, philosophy, humanities, religious studies, liberal arts, psychology, sociology, women's studies, literature, human ecology, sculpture, fashion design, or any number of majors and concentrations are not faring that well in today's super competitive job market. The ones who do manage to find jobs must contend with very low pay and minimal career mobility. Also, many people who have attained postgraduate education, such as masters and doctorate degrees, in these types of majors are not exactly doing well.

According to Cohan (2012), those with majors "in zoology, anthropology, philosophy, art history and humanities" don't stand much of a chance of getting jobs requiring a college degree. However, according to the BLS, the median annual wage of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses was $40,380 in May 2010, and LPN employment is expected to grow faster than the national average.

By no means am I bashing higher education, since it instills a broader view of the world and inculcates critical thought. However, many young people are blindly pursuing educational pathways without an end plan or goal in sight. It is so sad to read about individuals with nearly six figures in student loan debt who must work low-paying jobs in the service industry to make their staggering monthly payments.

Stand proud, LPNs. Your licensure will eventually lead to a middle-income job and a path to a respectable life, if it has not already. While the bachelor of arts or masters degree tends to carry more prestige in society than a career certificate and practical nursing license, you will typically earn more money and struggle less than people who did not select their majors wisely. In summary, LPNs often fare better than some degree earners.

WORKS CITED

Bureau of Labor Statistics. (March 29, 2012). Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses. Retrieved August 15, 2012 from http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/licensed-practical-and-licensed-vocational-nurses.htm

Cohan, Peter. (May 9, 2012). To Boost Post-College Prospects, Cut Humanities Departments. Forbes. Retrieved August 15, 2012 from http://www.forbes.com/sites/petercohan/2012/05/29/to-boost-post-college-prospects-cut-humanities-departments/

USA Today. (April 23, 2012). Half of new graduates are jobless or underemployed. Retrieved August 15, 2012 from http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2012-04-22/college-grads-jobless/54473426/1

I have just recently graduated from a LPN program. This article gives me hope!! Thanks!

[itsmejuli]

My original plan was to become an RN. I got my LPN in order to bridge into RN, then the plan was to get BSN so I could return to Canada as an RN.

I was keeping up with what was going on in nursing in Alberta and learned that there were more jobs for LPNs than RNs. So what was the point in going on with RN? I finished up the first semester of the LPN-RN bridge, sold my house and came to Alberta as an LPN. Yup, lots more jobs for LPNs than RNs here.

I live quite comfortably on my LPN pay, its more than enough to cover my meager bills.

[MedChica]

I noticed that too 'TOTHEPOINTLVN'.

It's a good choice, OP. Totally agree.

I just did a 1 year diploma, too.

The choice to do 'diploma'? I think it's all about what's feasible for you. I took out $15,000 in loans and the military (gi bill + bonuses) took care of that. I have no debt.

Even if I did have to shoulder that debt alone...it wouldn't be so difficult to pay it back. I own my cars. My expenses are under $300/mth. I live on one my aunt's properties, so...no rent. Most importantly, I have NO children.

It would take me 2 years...tops.

I did a diploma program because there's nothing cute about being over 30 and a 'Professional Student'.

"What do you do for a living...?"

"Oh, I go to school..."

Get outta here...LOL

Things are working out for myself and my classmates who've passed NCLEX.

We hit the market faster and that allows us to gain much needed experience in the field. I have nothing against those with degrees.

I'm no anti-intellectualist. I was IN a 5 year accounting program before changing life plans. LOL

But honestly...it is experience that makes the healthcare professional. I don't care where in the hospital you're working.

...and you said a mouthful about it being discounted, THECOMMUTER.

Practical experience usually trumps book knowledge.

I hope that I can 'hang' long enough to be one of, what some on here call it, those 'Crusty Old Bats'. LOL

Pay?

My GVN salary will be $20.00/hr...and as I've said before? My classmate and I are simply happy to be rejoining the middle class. Thing is, most 'undergrads' start in the $40,000's.

So, that starting wage is pretty on par with the the avg new grad undergrad salary.

Not too shabby.

Besides, I think being an LVN is a great way to earn experience AND income while you're pursuing an RN.

Many of the university graduates who have earned baccalaureate degrees in art history, classics, philosophy, humanities, religious studies, liberal arts, psychology, sociology, women's studies, literature, human ecology, sculpture, fashion design, or any number of majors and concentrations are not faring that well in today's super competitive job market.

I'm no 'degree purist', but...do they ever?

I tend to consider Art and Fashion Design to be something of a 'passion major'.

...or a fluff major, depending on how you look at it. For those with lots of money and have to major in 'something'?

It's like these celebs who go to Harvard and major in 'art'.

Psych? Yeah - it appears that you need a masters to do anything with that degree.

However, many young people are blindly pursuing educational pathways without an end plan or goal in sight. It is so sad to read about individuals with nearly six figures in student loan debt who must work low-paying jobs in the service industry to make their staggering monthly payments.

That was me. The difference? I left school after 1 month and joined the Air Force.

I really only went to college because...when you graduate from highschool...that's what you do!

Or so I've been conditioned. I didn't have a clear plan. I was floundering.

So, I got out...joined the AF...and was an xray tech 1 year later. Did some CT. Did some managin' and supervisin'.

It was a good idea.

6 figure loans?

Only if you're an MD or JD...and that's only because they usually don't have a choice. Other than that? It really makes no sense to be $100,000 in the hole for, say, a sociology degree.

It makes no sense to pay these ridiculous fees at a top-tier or IVY school for a nursing degree when the name has no bearing on future wages or success, when your university's name isn't as interesting as the level of exp in your possession and you can get the same level of education for

If you're advanced practice...ok. It makes sense to take such steps. For my master's I was looking at Baylor and UTHSC-Houston.

At that point and because it likely won't be admin/managment, it does matter.

But paying out of the butt for a regular BSN...especially when you know that you're going grad school and beyond?

It's a waste.

Of course, the powers that be are screaming 'BSN in 10'. Well, I'm going to get one but I'll be d-mned if I'm going to be in debt for 1000's and these companies, walking away with half my earnings.

It's a fool's game. These people have none to blame but themselves for being so deeply in debt.

Smarten up.

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

I personally think many people who are pushed towards a college degree are not well suited to it and would be happier if allowed to go into a 1 year or so vocational program getting out having a "career" and some money. It feels like we are pushing young people into two roles. Minimum wage worker or 4 year college professional with nothing in between. We need the tradesmen and blue collar workers to keep a well rounded society and economy. Not everyone can be a sociologist and the world cannot support so many ballerinas.

I studied design btw but I did end up owning my own small design business mainly because I studied at a trade school and not an art school.

[dialysisnurseLC]

I love this article!!!thanks for posting it..I went to college after high school and did not do well because I had no idea what I wanted to do. It wasn't until my mother encouraged me to apply to an LPN program that I actually made good grades because I felt I was pursuing something that I knew would get me a job after graduation.

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

Well getting an education is a waste if you don't actually get any and instead get a piece of paper saying your educated and a bill.