LTC, Home Health, Hospice???

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I am interested in working in either LTC, Hospice, or Home Health. I think I would be most happy in a home health job or private duty where I travel to people and won't be stuck in a building all day. I may also enjoy working in a nursing home because I love elderly people. So, for positions like these am I better off being an LVN or RN? I am taking my pre-reqs for the RN program but have heard only 1 in 7 is accepted, so I have begun reading more about LVNs and it actually sounds like a job I may like more than RN. I am more interested in the human side and caretaking than the medical aspect. I have a 4.0 gpa and think I stand a good chance of getting into the RN program, but I am actually considering turning it down to do LVN. Is that crazy? I'd like to hear more from LVNs who do the type of work I'm interested in. Tell me your thoughts!!!

One more question....are LVNs the ones who change diapers or is that mainly the CNAs? I don't know how much I would enjoy doing that, but I know it needs to be done!!!

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I should also add that I have 2 small kiddos (2 and 3 months), and they are my top priority. I know that the RN program is intense and don't know that I'm willing to put my kids on the back burner, unless LVN is just a really bad idea.

Also, money is not a big factor for me. I own my home on 5 acres in the country and don't have many bills, so $30k a year would be a lot of money out here.

So what do you guys think???

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Specializes in LTC.

I'm an aide in LTC. The aides change the briefs where I work. Nurses pass pills, do treatments, etc (the nurses are LPNs and RNs). We don't have charge nurses. The nurses do the same things where I work. The RNs may have an extra duty (like it things go south...they are the go to man). The program I'm entering in September is set up so after 4 quarters you get your LPN, 3 more after than and you are a RN (after the boards on both of course). I'm just taking it one step at a time...I'm a mother as well. But I'm also the breadwinner of my family...I say do what feels right...maybe start out going for LPN and then see how that goes..then go for your RN if you want to or need to. As for LTC believe it or not we deal with a little of everything and that includes hospice. When someones o2 sats go down...guess who deals with it...when someone codes we deal with it as well...at least until the ambulance gets their...of course the nurse directs me what to do...but I feel like I've seen quite a bit...though I realize that I haven't seen it all...not even close!

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You never know what will happen in the future. Get your RN. I am an LVN and I enjoy my job at a SNF. I do all the treatments. I am currently on the waitlist for the LVN to RN program. I know that when I get my RN I would like to work with Hospice. I can work with hospice as a LVN but with my RN I will have a lot more choices with my RN. I always thought I would be a LVN forever. After working for awhile I realized that there are only a few differences between LVN and RN and RN's get paid almost double.

Jenn

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Specializes in ER.

I am an RN. I would apply to both the RN and LVN program. Accept whichever one offers you a spot. If you get accepted to both, do the RN program. However, LVN is just as respectable as an RN. If you do become an LVN then you can always go back.

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Thank you all for your input! You've given me alot to think about. For now, I will continue to study my anatomy and lifespan like crazy and see what happens when I apply to the programs.

I understand that everyone thinks the ADN is a smarter plan because there are supposed to be more opportunities, but when I look at jobs in my area, I mainly see people looking for LVNs. I'm in a rural area, so there are quite a few prisons, home health agencies, and nursing homes. Are those the types that normally hire LVNs? There aren't many hospitals close to me, so I would most likely not be working in a hospital. If I choose not to work in a hospital, would I have more opportunities as an LVN?

Sorry to ask so many questions!!! :)

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LVNs have more opportunities in long term care and in home health. They might be utilized in the prison system also. I still have to say that you would increase your opportunities as an RN. Most of the employers who advertise openings for LVNs would accept an RN for the position. They may, or may not, pay an RN more. It depends.

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Specializes in Tele, Dialysis, Med-Surg, ICU,GI.

I was an LPN for three years, I felt my opportunities were limited. Now as an RN, I feel I can enter any field of interest. An RN can work in an LPN position, but is held to a standard of RN, but an LPN can't work a postion designated for RN.

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In your situation, being in a rural area and the fact you want to work in LTC or hospice and don't need the extra money, I would go for the RN. In my case, I wanted to work in a hospital and did'nt know at the time that they did'nt hire LPN's anymore (at least in my rural area). I'm in a catch-22 as I could really use the extra money an RN makes to pay back all my loans and the fact I'm single with a mortgage, car, other bills, ect. But I can't afford to cut-back my hours and take out any more loans. But I hear some hospitals reimburse RN's if you sign a contract to stay there for a certain amount of time. Then again, I finally found a job I like (in assisted living), but there is limited advancement and no benefits and I hear they seldom if ever give raises...

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