New To Field And Boards- Input Please! :)

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Hi All!

I am new here to the boards and have a very strong interest in the nursing field. I am not a nurse yet, but am applying for the nursing program at the local community college.

I have been working full time since highschool and I am sick of what I do- Customer Service. Not so much the service part, but I am sick of a corporate environment, my cube, and my phone attached to my head. I FEEL TRAPPED and I want to MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

I've always wanted to be a nurse, but never thought I could hack it. Now, knowing what I can accomplish, and with a good head on my shoulders- IT'S TIME! :nurse: After some reading, I believe my calling is to become an LPN.

I enjoy working, which is why I chose work over college in the first place. Knowing that I can work in a field that I love after a year of study makes becoming an LPN very appealing.

My plan is to be a full-time student and work part-time.

After looking online for job openings (to get the feel of my future employment opportunities in my area), I couldn't find any! Is there just no advertisement out there for an LPN position? I was thinking of working in a hospital...and all positions available are for RNs! Is it going to be impossible to find a job as an LPN???:confused:

Any feedback would be wonderful!

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Specializes in ICU, PACU, Cath Lab.

Around here if you want to work in a hospital you really need your RN. There are a few LPN's at my hospital but they have been there a long time and were "grandfathered" in. LPN's typically work in LTC or office settings. Maybe get your LPN, and work as that and then finish up your RN so you can do more hospital work. OF course this is in my area...not sure about nationwide stats on this.

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Specializes in LTC, Nursing Management, WCC.

Hello and Welcome to Allnurses!

:wlcmggrp:

I totally know what you mean when you mentioned a cube...a phone attached to the head. Ugh! LOL. I am glad that you clarified that you are not specifically sick of customer service because that is a big portion of what we do... patient satisfaction.

Regarding going to school for LPN, I would say it depends on what the need is in your area. Where I live there is a need, although slight, and it is in long term care (LTC). LPNs do not work in hospitals where I live...but some do work in clinics. I have spoken with many LPNs where I work and they usually mention they wish they went for the RN because of availability of jobs and of course the pay ;)

Also consider how many nursing schools are in your area and how competitive it will be to secure a job after school.

Cruise around on the board...you will find a wealth of information on this site regarding RNs, LPNs, jobs, wages, the positives and the negatives.

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Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.

i am so happy you found this web site , it will be very helpful in your schooling. welcome to allnurses.

it is becoming harder for LPN's to get jobs in hospitals, at the hospital where i work , we have only 2 LPN's in the whole hospital and they have been there for years. when they quit my manager told me they will be replaced with RN's. that no more LPN's will be hired.

but there are plenty of jobs in long term care and hospice and home health.

i am so happy you are going to become a nurse , we need more nurses in the world. please keep us posted on your schooling . you will make many good friends here on allnurses.

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Thanks everyone for your input! I already feel so very welcome here. :D!

I had a feeling that hospitals are now leaning towards RNs over LPNs. Helping the elderly is a huge part of why I would like to become a nurse, so possibly a nursing home or facility of that nature would be more so down my alley. I'm thinking that maybe getting a part time job at a center would be good until I become certified. I would then have the experience and wouldn't be starting a new career blind.

Is it just me, or does anyone else find the elderly to be just- FASCINATING. I love to spend time with them, listening to their life experiences and how they have overcome certain obstacles. My heart pours out love to them, and I feel so fulfilled by being a part of their day. I feed off of that energy. Friends and family joke and say that I am an "old person" at heart. :p

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Specializes in Med-Surg, , Home health, Education.

If you love geriatrics then LTC would be a great start for you but I would recommend a CNA class. You'll get a real "taste" of the profession and many nursing schools now require that you are a CNA before you are accepted into the program. Wellcome to allnurses and good luck in your quest for nursing!

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Do you need be be a CNA to become an LPN or is it just good for experience reasons? Is the CNA certification offered within the LPN program or is it something that must be achieved seperatly?

Sorry for all the questions! I hate not knowing because I am so new in the field!

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Specializes in LTC, Nursing Management, WCC.
Do you need be be a CNA to become an LPN or is it just good for experience reasons? Is the CNA certification offered within the LPN program or is it something that must be achieved seperatly?

Sorry for all the questions! I hate not knowing because I am so new in the field!

I would refer you to your school's program. When I got my BSN, our first nursing semester had us learn and perform CNA roles. Afterwards we could have gotten a letter and sent it in to test for the CNA cert. So some are built in. Still some want people to have a cert prior to applying...so again... I would refer you to the school.

P.S. I too LOVE the geriatric population and find it very enjoyable to work with them. They ROCK! :rckn:

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