new with interest and questions

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Hi I am new here and have a few questions.

I am 47 years of age and want to enter the lpn program in Memphis hopefully no later than next spring.

I am getting the understanding that lpns can work in hospitals in Tn. is that correct?

I have a true interest and desire to work at a children's hospital. I realize I could be thinking too far ahead and don't want to get my hopes up too high, but Ive read that St Judes is a good place to work but I am not sure if they hire Lpns.

Also i read on their site that they offer paid externships for nursing students I am wondering if that only for those taking the associate degree?

Also how much extra time does it take after I have earned my Lpn would I need to go to get the associates.

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

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Tennessee tech has an LPN program. You know, Southwest has an associate 2yr RN program if you're interested in becoming a nurse in a short period of time.

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Hello peaq. Your desire to work with children is awesome!! It truly takes a special person and patience to be a pediatric nurse. However, Lebonheur nor St. Jude hire LPN's or new associate degree nurses anymore. If you want to become a pediatric nurse, a BSN is a must. I know this because I recently graduated from Southwest and there are a few people in my cohort that want to be pediatric nurses. They were told by recruiters that they have to have a BSN or years of experience in this speciality, which makes no sense because how is a person supposed to gain experience if these hospitals aren't even hiring new LPN's or associate degree nurses?

I was talking with my boss just yesterday and she told me that before long, an associate degree nurse with be the new LPN. My current employer has made it mandatory that all associate degree nurses must obtain a BSN degree within the next few years. I hope this bit of information helps you as you start your journey of becoming a nurse. You have definitely come to the right place for feedback. There are a tons of great people on this site with a wealth of knowledge.

Good luck to you!!

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Thanks to you both for taking time to respond and with great information! I would like to add some questions though if that is ok.

Im going to be relocating to downtown Memphis come mid May, although I'm not a stranger to public transit , it will be a new area to me and do not know how possible it is to get from downtown to southwest by public transit. I mapped out from downtown to the tech school and that is very doable from what I saw. But I am not sure about commuting to Southwest, therefore I will have to check that out after I get the address.

I also want to know what test do I have to prepare for in order to get in the RN program at Southwest?

After getting the associates RN degree, how much time after that would I have to go to school in order to get the BSN?

I am not trying to bombard with too many questions I just want to make sure I get everything lined up properly with time frames especially because I have a disabled son to look after. I have to make sure I have everything in place for him as well.

also eddied to add: what prerequisites do I have to take?

I am asking because I have never been to college other than some short courses I took online from Ashford which I don't think count???

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SW has the NLN exam. You can get the study guide in their bookstore. The prereqs are A/P 1 and 2 and Microbiology. It does not hurt to get Statistics, Nutrition and computer concepts out the way. After you get your RN, you should be able to go right back to school for your BSN. I know I am! My goal is to go to UT for their RN to MSN program. That is a two year program!

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Oh wow thanks for the advice Mseymour! and I just did a google map search and southwest community college is only a mile from where I will be living downtown! awesome!!!I can walk there no problem!!! Now I am more excited lol! I have thought about nursing in the past, but always seemed was a road block but now I see it clearly possible! I am going to get that NLN study guide after I get in town and start studying any spare moment I have!

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Med-Surg, Infectious Disease.

Regional one health hospital still hire Lpns in some areas of the hospital, but I would suggest getting BSN as OP stated. Good luck!

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