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Discussion

Nurses, I have a few questions!

I start LPN classes soon (not sure when because I just finished my GED and I am getting information on upcoming classes).

I have a few questions for nurse practitioners specifically.

1- How much do you usually get paid? This is an important question because I am looking forward to starting a family and would like to save up for a home.

2- What do you do day to day?

3- Will I be able to work in the NICU or help deliver babies? I find this an exciting thing to be a part of and I'm just wondering if nurse practitioners get to deal with these tasks.

4- Do you have a lot of time to spend with your families? As I said, I want to start a family and I don't want my children to feel like I never spend time with them.

5- I also have no clue about LPN classes and how they go. Are they hard? What usually happens in nursing classes?

Any other information is greatly appreciated.

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    • Featured Replies

    Are you sure you're not wanting to ask practical nurses and not nurse practitioners? Biiiiig difference :)

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    • Expert

    moved to pre nursing f0r best response

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    There are many different types of nurse practitioners. Some are certified to work in NICU, or PEDs, some adult ICU, some family practice. If you think NICU is really what you want I would see if your interests are still the same after you get your RN. If you want to be a neonatal nurse practitioner, you will need 1-2 years minimum of NICU RN experience first. The NICU's I am familiar with have nurse practitioners that rotate days/nights and are also required to work weekends and holidays.

    The pay for nurse practitioners can vary greatly depending on specialty and what part of the country you are working in. I would expect to start around 70k, higher if you are in a part of a country with a high cost of living.

    Just curious, if your end goal is a nurse practitioner, why don't you skip the LPN and go straight for the RN

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    • Guides
    I start LPN classes soon (not sure when because I just finished my GED and I am getting information on upcoming classes).

    I have a few questions for nurse practitioners specifically.

    1- How much do you usually get paid? This is an important question because I am looking forward to starting a family and would like to save up for a home.

    2- What do you do day to day?

    3- Will I be able to work in the NICU or help deliver babies? I find this an exciting thing to be a part of and I'm just wondering if nurse practitioners get to deal with these tasks.

    4- Do you have a lot of time to spend with your families? As I said, I want to start a family and I don't want my children to feel like I never spend time with them.

    5- I also have no clue about LPN classes and how they go. Are they hard? What usually happens in nursing classes?

    Any other information is greatly appreciated.

    It is a little unclear whether you want info about LPNs or NPs, but I will answer about NPs.

    1. Salary varies widely by the region you live in. The Advance NP site (http://www.advanceweb.com) has salary data by state. Average salary is $93k a year.

    2. Your daily workflow is very different in different environments. If you are in primary care you see 8-20+ patients a day if you are in acute care setting you round and manage a panel of patients. In basic terms your day is very similar to a medicine physician in the same practice area.

    3. NPs do work in NICUs and they do work in OB fields where they assist with deliveries.

    4. Depends on your job: they range from traditional full-time 40-hour week jobs to 24-hour shifts to per diem jobs. I have a toddler at home and I work 8-3 four days a week and three days a week in the summer.

    5. If you are going for an NP you will need a RN (ADN or BSN) so you would have to get your LPN then bridge to RN then apply to MSN or DNP NP programs.

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    My wife, a RN for 27 years, is currently working towards her NP. I think the pay varies, but in this area it ranges from the mid 70's to around 110k per year.

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    LPN or NP? I can help a bit with the LPN, as I am currently an lpn student :)

    The salaries for LPN's vary by state- but where I live its around $37,000-$47,000.

    You won't really find LPN's working in most hospitals. While we're not being phased out everywhere, I've noticed that many LPNs that do work in hospitals work more as patient techs and make significantly less than an LPN that works in long term care or a doctors office.

    If you're really wanting to work in NICU, I would say look into taking RN courses instead. You'll go to school for at least 4 semesters (2 years) but it would definitely be worth it. If finances and time frames worry you, LPN is always a start- most LPN courses are between 10-14 months full time and range from $2,000 in more rural areas and I've seen $27,000 in areas like NY. Classes are often straight through with no breaks (besides Christmas) and are fairly intensive. You can always chose to bridge from LPN to RN and work as an LPN while in classes (gives you an opportunity to save up and start a family as well).

    As far as having time for your family, it really depends on where you choose to work. Do they require mandatory overtime? Some do, and some offer every other weekend off. Schedules can be 8 or 12 hours, you'll see more 12 hour shifts in hospitals but it gives you 4 days off each week.

    You've got lots to think about, but don't let it overwhelm you! Nursing is an amazing profession and the decision to look into schools is a great first step! Good luck on your future journey!

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    • Expert
    I start LPN classes soon (not sure when because I just finished my GED and I am getting information on upcoming classes).

    I have a few questions for nurse practitioners specifically.

    1- How much do you usually get paid? This is an important question because I am looking forward to starting a family and would like to save up for a home.

    2- What do you do day to day?

    3- Will I be able to work in the NICU or help deliver babies? I find this an exciting thing to be a part of and I'm just wondering if nurse practitioners get to deal with these tasks.

    4- Do you have a lot of time to spend with your families? As I said, I want to start a family and I don't want my children to feel like I never spend time with them.

    5- I also have no clue about LPN classes and how they go. Are they hard? What usually happens in nursing classes?

    Any other information is greatly appreciated.

    Are you talking about LPNs or NPs? Those two very different things.

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    One post only.....and this is it?

    I suspect the OP is confused on the titles and is most curious about LPNs. Just my two cents.

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    • Author

    I don't know why everyone was so confused, the questions were for NPs. I put that I was in school for my LPN because I was at community college, I was just specifying that I wasn't in school for RN or NP yet. I put that I was asking NPs the questions

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