new grad LPN needing advice pls!

Nurses LPN/LVN

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Hello fellow nurses, I just graduated and obtained my LPN license last October. I am currently working for a large university hospital in Chicago. I recently went on a job interview as an internal candidate in one of our clinics. I sort of knew this prior to even applying that LPNs working in clinics normally only work 9 to 5pm shifts. However, I expected that salary would be a little bit higher given that I work for a well known large university. In the interview I was told that I would be lucky if I received 20 dollars per hour. I was shocked when I heard this. I was expecting more around 22 to 24 dollars per hour at least. So now, knowing this, I really don't think that it's worth to wait getting my RN degree. But if I take the job, the 9 to 5 hours will not work with my new RN class schedule. I don't want to leave the hospital I am working at because their benefits are amazing! They will pay 100% tuition reimbursement including lab fees, books, etc. But how can I take advantage of this great reimbursement program if my schedule won't allow me to attend school?? I guess Im just very conflicted. Do I work as an LPN for 19 to 20 bucks an hour at my hospital or leave and work in a nursing home where the hours are a bit more flexible, and say goodbye to 100% tuition reimbursement. Please help!

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Hello seaviolet! I'm in the process of changing career's and just obtaining my LPN license this past November and I'm in the same boat as you.. I have a good job that I work 9-4 Monday Thur Friday and some Saturdays, great salary and benefits with 4 weeks vacation.. I think my only option is obtaining my rn online in till I can completely transition to my new career.. I'm so scared to leave my current employer until I have obtained my RN... ?

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Congrats on getting your license doreenstar75! I have been looking for an lpn to rn online program. So far, Indiana State University is the only possible option I see. I called Excelsior College but since I live in Illinois, I would need to work for two yrs as an rn in another approved state to become licensed in IL. I really don't want to do ISU for fear of not being able to get clinical sites and preceptor but if it turns out to be the only way to get my RN while staying at my hospital, I will do it. What state do you live in? I hope your state's jurisdiction is much easier than Illinois!

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Florida!! I haven't done that much research yet because I've been focused on passing my nclex..

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I HIGHLY recommend AVOIDING Excelsior.... Two of my good friends are both in a lawsuit with them, (well, one friend just won his actually). I think it's a total scam, and the gov't is clamping down on these agencies right and left... who knows what the rules will be when you finish the program....

I'm in Florida also- Sarasota... where about are you? I'm looking into Galen, it's expensive, and "for Profit" but it's accredited...

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.
I HIGHLY recommend AVOIDING Excelsior.... Two of my good friends are both in a lawsuit with them, (well, one friend just won his actually). I think it's a total scam, and the gov't is clamping down on these agencies right and left... who knows what the rules will be when you finish the program....

I'm in Florida also- Sarasota... where about are you? I'm looking into Galen, it's expensive, and "for Profit" but it's accredited...

Were your friends in a lawsuit with the college network (not a school but a high cost publishing company that infers affiliation with Excelsior but is not)? Excelsior, while not for everyone, is an accredited school of nursing that is one of the few NLN centers of excellence. Excelsior is an accredited college not an agency. The college network on the other hand, has some "creative" advertising and sales personnel .

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Specializes in School Nurse, LTC, Rehab, Telemetry.

@seaviolet So glad to hear that you got your LPN license, I'm currently on my path to getting mine. Well...waiting on a response from Wilbur Wright City College to see if I got in. But I just wanted to ask you how was your journey to get your LPN license?? I'm a mom of three, working full time but decided to just concentrate on the LPN program once I'm accepted if god permits. But your thread was very interesting to me, I have heard that City Colleges of Chicago help us get into allot of big name Healthcare places including the University of Chicago Hospitals, but coming from a whole different industry (banking) I was just wondering around what LPN's get paid. It's good to have an idea of how much they're willing to pay LPN's.

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Hi, @earroyo56 my lpn journey went fairly quickly. I also have two kids and worked full time 12hr night shifts. But I was lucky because I was able to study during the night at work when it wasn't busy. The salary varies but I have one classmate that started at 24 per hr at a nursing home where she was already employed, another at 21 dollars in an assisted living. So, I believe 20 to 25 range. Good luck to you! It's definitely doable with good time mgmt. Before you know it, you're done and planning for your next move, which is RN!

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Oh and I'm not sure about CCC helping to get in the university hospitals. I didn't go to a community college. However, I did get in to a university hospital because I knew someone from within. If you want to get in, make sure you call the nurse recruiters and follow up!

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Specializes in School Nurse, LTC, Rehab, Telemetry.

I hope so. It's so different from the field I am right now, and w/no medical field experience it's very intimidating.

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I would not go with excelsior or Indiana State. Excelsiors credits don't transfer. The CA BRN decided to strip Indiana State of its ability to teach student living here (big red flag in my opinion). I have 2 friends who were midway through and were then out all that time and money because their credits would no longer transfer.

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@seaviolet I'm unclear if you are working as an LPN or a RN because of your screen name but if you are working as an LPN at a chicago hospital that is good news because I hear a lot of people saying hospitals don't hire LPNs and I would love to work as an LPN at a Chicago hospital once I finish school

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