Today is wed the 16th of July, I need to give an acceptance call to the local tech school to accept the spot in the LPN class that starts Sept 2nd. We have our school orientation next week on the 22nd of July.
Should I accept the position?? I have a couple of different options, but time is ticking on them, I'm 41 yo and not getting any younger.
I'm currently working as a patient care tech (CNA) on a cardiac care floor, I'm in the last semester to finish my degree in History and I am retired from the military with 3 years of GI bill money left to spend.
My choices:
1. Accept the LPN school slot by friday and take the one year course to give my my LPN. Start 2008, finish 2009.
2. Skip the LPN slot and focus on getting the prereq classes done and apply for ETSU's BSN degree for 2nd degree holders, 18 months to have my BSN. I've not applied for it and haven't taken the prereq classes yet, starts 2009
3. Skip LPN slot and try to get into a direct entry MSN program at UT Knoxville in 2009, I'm guessing that their is a huge competition for these slots and unlikely to get one, not to mention the controversy that a direct entry program entails in nursing.
4. Skip LPN and attend the EMT course while (2 semesters) while awaiting 2nd or 3rd option.
5. Last option, skip nursing altogether, take the Postal Exam that I'm scheduled for on the 22nd of July in Bristol, TN and go back into a more traditional male work force.
I've been wondering about going to nursing school ever since I declined LPN school in 1990 to go back into the military to finish off my 20 yr military career, I'm not exactly 100% sure I want to be in nursing, even after working as a CNA for the last few months.
What should I do, I need to make a decision by FRIDAY and I'm working the 7p-7a shift wed/thur, so by friday morning, my mind will be shot, HELP!!
Take the LPN course, it will open up all kinds of doors and if you like it,(working as a LPN) obviously continue, if not, quit. There are always other options for different careers. If nursing is something you feel strong about, do it. The one thing about nursing is most of us like it and some don't. If you spend four years getting your RN, BSN and decide you hate nursing, what a lot of time wasted. Being a LPN can either be a career choice, or a beginning of an ongoing educational experience, as far as your RN, ASN, your RN, BSN and on and on. I hope you get this before you've decided and helps with your decision. I love being a LPN. If your a people person, this is a great career choice. I get paid more than most RN's where I work at present. I'm making five dollars an hour less than my husband who has been at his job for 15 years, I've been at this facility 2 months. Not that money is everything, but you earn every penny and then some in nursing. It's hard work, but very gratifying. Good luck in whatever you choose.
kstec, LPN
483 Posts
Take the LPN course, it will open up all kinds of doors and if you like it,(working as a LPN) obviously continue, if not, quit. There are always other options for different careers. If nursing is something you feel strong about, do it. The one thing about nursing is most of us like it and some don't. If you spend four years getting your RN, BSN and decide you hate nursing, what a lot of time wasted. Being a LPN can either be a career choice, or a beginning of an ongoing educational experience, as far as your RN, ASN, your RN, BSN and on and on. I hope you get this before you've decided and helps with your decision. I love being a LPN. If your a people person, this is a great career choice. I get paid more than most RN's where I work at present. I'm making five dollars an hour less than my husband who has been at his job for 15 years, I've been at this facility 2 months. Not that money is everything, but you earn every penny and then some in nursing. It's hard work, but very gratifying. Good luck in whatever you choose.