New to nursing with no nursing background!

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Hello, I'm interested in RN/LPN, however I am currently a hairdresser with no experience in nursing. I am tired of the unsure paychecks and no benefits/retirement plan that my job has. I was looking into RN/LPN as an alternative because I know the benefits and job demand that comes with nursing. I guess my question is I am about to enroll in a community college nearby and they offer both programs RN and LPN but the RN program is about a 3 year waiting list. I have thought about getting LPN certifiacte with being done alot sooner. I am just curious what kind of jobs come with LPN's. I know I don't want to work in a nursing home, my husband's job requires long hours so working in a hospital or nursing home would probably not work just because of the 2nd and 3rd shifts and weekend hours, with having small children, I would prefer a doctor's office. Do most doctor's offices hire LPN's or do they just use RN's. Also what kind of money and benefits come with LPN's in doctor offices. Sorry if I have alot of questions just new to all this and want to make sure I pick the right career this time. I know it varies among areas I live in Ohio near the Defiance, Wauseon, Napoleon, Toldeo area. Also I had heard from a few of my friends that are RN's, that they are eventaully going to do away with LPN's? Has anyone else heard this, does tha mean in hospitals or everywhere? Thanks for any help.

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Specializes in LTC.

They've said they're doing away with LPNs for years. Yeah Dr's offices hire LPNs...in most places

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Besides the money/job security, why else do you want to go into nursing?? It is a very hard and demanding field and you truly have to love the work to make it. Also, the nursing shortage no longer exists - it is very hard to find a job as a nurse. Have you thought about becoming a medical assistant? Doctor's offices use those a lot more than LPN's... at least in NE Ohio where I'm from.

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Where I am in GA, LPNs work mostly in nursing homes. Who hires LPNs will depend on where you look.

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Besides the money/job security, why else do you want to go into nursing?? It is a very hard and demanding field and you truly have to love the work to make it. Also, the nursing shortage no longer exists - it is very hard to find a job as a nurse. Have you thought about becoming a medical assistant? Doctor's offices use those a lot more than LPN's... at least in NE Ohio where I'm from.

Just responding to this answer: Where I am from the nursing shortage is in full effect. They are begging and bribing new nurses to come work. If you look in the paper or online theres at least 50 positions available at all hospitals in the area for nurses with no exprerience required, and Im not that far from you. But to answer your question, first of all I would definitely look more into nursing than the pay before you make a decision. You want to find out all you can before you decide to join the program. They can be very costly and if it doesnt work out you could be in debt. Yeah if you dont want to wait 3 years go for the LPN then you can complete a bridge program, GL on whatever you decide.

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you truly have to love the work to make it.
nah, nursing is just a job, no love needed, just work.

Also, the nursing shortage no longer exists - it is very hard to find a job as a nurse.
there is no national nursing shortage, some areas seem to have a shortage, but i wouldn't bank on it. for example, the hospital i work at still advertises and list new grad nursing positions, but they haven't hired a single one in over a year, ha.
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Certainly no nursing shortage here!! We have 6 RN programs in the city!!

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Here in southeastern u.s., md office usually hires medical assistants or l.p.n.

The pay is much less than an acute or ltc facility,but the hours and shifts tend

to be much better.

I have not seen any md office around here ,ever advertise for rn positions.

Good luck :0

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Thanks so much for everyone's reponses!! I have always thought nursing would be an awesome job...not only money/benefits but being able to help care and save people's lives would be so rewarding. I think I'm just so sick of the hairstyling world because all you do is kiss a** all day long and compete constantly with co-wrokers for clients, your paychecks are all over the place, and no benefits. I'm just over it. It would be nice to work in a Dr's office, I know I probably won't be saving any lives there:lol2: but I think it would still be rewarding. I have thought about the MA, one of my other friends is going for MA, however that program is 2 years, where LPN is only one year. I don't want to work in the office part, where I also have a degree in office addmin., and got very bored with it :( Anyways, you have all helped me alot. Thanks again:)

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Specializes in Med Surg, ICU, home&pub health, pvt duty.

From what I understand you said:

1. you work in a profession that provides no benefits and an unstead income based on the number of clients you book

2. you want to change to a stable profession

3. you have a husband who works long hours and have a need for regular hours

4. you are frustrated with the need to be overly client-friendly to maintain your clients and income

5. you have heard that nursing is a stable, well paid profession.

What I did not hear was an interest in nursing. I dispute the statement by another that it is just a job. Given the fact we have a higher on the job injury rate, are exposed to disease, must clean up the most basic of our patient's bodily functions, are on our feet for 8-12 hrs a day, must work odd shifts, and must work with other hospital employees and physicians, one must enjoy the work or you will not be a nurse for long.

Another thing to consider: nursing is a science, requires a science background, and an ability to critically think. Many enter nursing school but not all graduate.

There are many other jobs and training programs that could provide similar benefits and a steady paycheck--many of which can be located at a trade or adult school. You may want to talk to a employment counselor; someone who has no hidden agenda and does not receive a commission when you sign up for their program.

Some look at nursing as a quick fix to their employment and income issues. However, they may not understand the rigors of nursing school and the demands of the profession.

:twocents:

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

LA_studentnurse, please, don't be so quick to judge the OP's intentions or abilities. She said, "I have always thought nursing would be an awesome job...not only money/benefits but being able to help care and save people's lives would be so rewarding." Sounds like an 'interest in nursing' to me! There's no shame in going into a career with the hopes of being able to pay your mortgage, have health insurance, and a 401k. Also, for all we know, she's a fabulous critical thinker and great at math/science.

She came to allnurses.com for advice, guidance, and information about the rewarding albeit challenging career of nursing. Let's not tell her, "you probably can't handle nursing school and should just move on to looking at other careers." Let's be the supportive nurses we went to nursing school to become!

Sasha, I'm so glad you have an interest in nursing! Hope you find all the information you're looking for! :nurse:

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It is so true what some people have said!! To survive in this demanding profession you must at least be interested in medicine,I mean you will have to live and breath your patients...You will be their nurse for the shift and will have to know their history,goals of treatments,the patient and family will ask you bunch of questions and then there will be docs,physical therapists and social workers pull you away and ask you questions...this job really entitles devotion on the nurses part...it is not a office job that you punch in a perform your "robot" activities,it is a job that requires creativity,intelligence and patience.Trust me often you dont forget your patients once you clock out-you often think did I miss something,who am I going to get tommorow,did I screw up today or will I screw up tommorow.

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