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!

With much thought, I've decided to go the community college route and then do a BSN bridge. It might take a little longer before I get in the program but I know for sure, I will not have any issues as far as transferring my credits. In the meantime, I will enjoy my brand new LPN position and learn as much as I can in the process. :)

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I am an LPN. Hospitals only hire LPNs in their outpatient settings like the clinics. Look into UIC, University of Chicago, Loyola Hospitals, and Northshore. :)

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Specializes in School Nurse, LTC, Rehab, Telemetry.

@seaviolet I had been looking around for LPN jobs, just to see how the market is for LPN hiring around Chicago and I did see allot more positions for LPN's in the University of Chicago, which is awesome cause I always dreamed of working there. I currently work at Loyola in their credit union, I check their positions too, but not many open up for LPN here. Happy that you got a good job right after getting your LPN Certificate, where did you get yours?? I'm going to City Colleges to get mine and then go into their bridge RN program if everything goes well. For me w/three kids...it's a process, takes time but it's just duable that way. Besides, it saves me from getting student loans that I really don't need.

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@earroyo56 I am hoping to get into an RN bridge into one of the city colleges as well. I received my LPN from Ambria College in Hoffman Estates. Wishing you the best! I hope you get into the program. It definitely is a process so hang in there!

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Specializes in School Nurse, LTC, Rehab, Telemetry.

@seaviolet I know...it has takend me two and a half years just to get the pre req's needed to get into the RN Program, I've only been able to go part time. :( But thankfully I have all I need to get into the LPN program so decided to try that out and see how it goes, I would really love to have some kind of experience before going into RN. I've heard of Ambria, what did you think of the classes? Financially, was it a good school to attend too?

I hope so, I'm hoping to hear from then next week, if not, I'll still take one more pre req and apply again in the summer, I won't give up that's for sure. :yes:

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Specializes in School Nurse, LTC, Rehab, Telemetry.

@seaviolet I know...it has taken me two and a half years just to get the pre req's needed to get into the RN Program, I've only been able to go part time. :( But thankfully I have all I need to get into the LPN program so decided to try that out and see how it goes, I would really love to have some kind of experience before going into RN. I've heard of Ambria, what did you think of the classes? Financially, was it a good school to attend too?

I hope so, I'm hoping to hear from them next week, if not, I'll still take one more pre req and apply again in the summer, I won't give up that's for sure. :yes:

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@seaviolet I know...it has taken me two and a half years just to get the pre req's needed to get into the RN Program, I've only been able to go part time. :( But thankfully I have all I need to get into the LPN program so decided to try that out and see how it goes, I would really love to have some kind of experience before going into RN. I've heard of Ambria, what did you think of the classes? Financially, was it a good school to attend too?

I hope so, I'm hoping to hear from them next week, if not, I'll still take one more pre req and apply again in the summer, I won't give up that's for sure. :yes:

I believe that I received a good education from Ambria. The classes were tough but I think they really prepared us for NCLEX. I think that wherever you go, you have to make the best of it. It's so cliche but it's true. Financially, it was expensive but I knew I wanted to become a nurse. For me, the LPN route from Ambria was the fastest and my stepping stone. :)

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Yes ironically the LPN route is faster for a lot of people, I have friends who have been on the waiting list to get into an RN program, but my entire program will be over in less time than they have been waiting to get into their programs. Plus we can bridge over and finish in a year, it saves time and money and allows us to get work experience as a nurse while finishing school, that's why I chose the LPN route also

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Yes, I agree! Now, I feel more at ease. I can work as a nurse and focus on school with less stress knowing that I'm closer to my goal. :)

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Specializes in School Nurse, LTC, Rehab, Telemetry.

Yes....that's what made me change my mind about going straight to the RN program, seemed like it was taking me longer than I wanted. And like I said I have no medical experience at all, coming from banking, I want to get experience in the medical field first and LPN sounds like it's the best choice. Besides, it'll prove to me if that's the route I want to take. So hopefully we'll be starting classes In January! :)

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Specializes in School Nurse, LTC, Rehab, Telemetry.

Okay fellow LPN applicants....countdown to our answers today! :) Hope we all get in, and if any one gets their email, please share! :yes:

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I Just recently became a LPN in Ohio, before I took my Nclex exam I got a job working as a medical assistant in an urgent care clinic, no one there knew that I was preparing to take my Nclex. My supervisor does not know that I am newly licensed nurse. I do have an interview in a couple of days for a nursing position with at another facility. I want to tell her, but don't how to without her firing me on the spot. I just took my exam on the 9th of this month, however I did inform them I was finishing up school at the time of the interview.

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