new grad not sure what to do

[moonchildLPN82]

I graduated in Dec, and got my license for LPN in Feb. I'm really not interested in workint LTC but where I live there doesn't seem to be that many options for LPN's as there are for RN's. I am going back to school to work on getting my RN, but what I want your opinion on is should I look for a job in LTC to get experince or should I try to find a doctor's office job since that's what I'd rather do?

Thanks for your advice!

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

if you know you would rather be in an MD office, at least attempt that route. Be sure to mention you are futhering your education. I worked for surgeons for several years. They liked to hire people at lower paying jobs then train them for more technical job. The knowledge that you would be paid more as you learned and became more valuable to them really helped morale too. In the end, I would say working in LTC while you get your RN is not a bad idea. You are working towards a goal - that is the whole point.

[kcochrane]

MD offices usually pay a little less. But if you can live on that and still go to school, then go for it. If you can't find a job in that area, don't rule out LTC. You can get some good experience - especially with organization. Getting onto a rehab floor or respiratory unit will give you some good experience. You will probably also get some tutition assistance from a LTC.

[ItsTheDude]

just get a job as a lpn (home health, ltc, hospital, etc), it doesn't matter where. when you get your rn, employers may ask you what you did with your lpn and you don't want your answer to be "nothing". go get some exp. in health care as a lpn.

[caliotter3]

You can try to get jobs in offices. Your lack of experience would "justify" a lower pay rate and that might be the reason you get hired. Good luck.