Hi Everyone, I finally enrolled in an LPN program in Oklahoma and will be done in 11 months, then will continue on to be an RN.
I chose this route for lack of jobs in my current field and had the opportunity to go to school full time during the day and complete an LPN program so I can find work then off to complete an RN and then eventually a CRNA.
What i'm wondering is the following and hope you can help as I will ask the school too but looking for advice from professionals now in the fields.
1. When I graduate from my current school as an LPN and take the NCLEX in Oklahoma as the school preps me for it, will it be good to work in Texas? Is the NCLEX for all over?
2. As an LPN I see jobs are starting in Dallas around 40k - 50k anyone can confirm this? RN will be? I heard you can make 80k and up as an RN. Can you work 7 days on and 7 days off? How about work 3/4 days and be off for some? What are typical schedules like?
3. Are online schools good to bridge the LPN to RN? In Oklahoma I can go to Oklahoma State to do it and get an Associates from them in a year but wondering about these online courses?
4. Is overtime readily available in this field?
5. I know Texas has a great need for nurses.....which other state do you think to secure a good future and that is not so out of control with the cost of living? I was thinking Florida, Miami, since condo's are down costwise....or is nursing just easy to obtain work in any state?
Specializes in Peds, PACU, ICU, ER, OB, MED-Surg,.
Don't assume you will be making 40-50K to start. Most new grad RN's start in TX at $20 to $24 dollars an hour in hospital. If you go to a higher need area like homehealth you could make more. Many places do not routinely employ LVN's except LTC, HH. Hospitals tend to limit the use due to the problems it creates with assignments. My area in San Antonio, is getting tight.
Redhead28
200 Posts
Don't assume you will be making 40-50K to start. Most new grad RN's start in TX at $20 to $24 dollars an hour in hospital. If you go to a higher need area like homehealth you could make more. Many places do not routinely employ LVN's except LTC, HH. Hospitals tend to limit the use due to the problems it creates with assignments. My area in San Antonio, is getting tight.