nursing career over 50 in Raleigh

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I have an MBA and was laid off from my corp job. I would like to make a career change and go to nursing school. After tons of research and factoring in prerequisites, wait lists, acceptance rates and costs, reputation. I decided on ECPI 14 month LPN program. At then end of the day, license exams are the same regardless of the school you went to. I will then go straight into an online BSN.

I know the pay scales for new nurses. My question is, will I be able to find a job? Even better, I'd like tuition reimbursement for the BSN.

Advice?

Thanks!

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LPNs are generally found in long-term care, some home health and doctors' offices(often interchangeable with MAs in pay) around here. There are more RN jobs than LPN jobs numerically.

Your specific question was about getting a job, and there are fewer LPN jobs to get.

I have worked in several hospitals in the Raleigh area, and have not encountered an LPN at work in years. Large hospitals, especially university hospitals are where you find tuition reimbursement. Trouble is, a lot of them want RNs who are also BSNs for their new graduates.

Have you looked at any of the community colleges in the area? The tuition is much more affordable for anyone. The RN degree from a community college is likely a better financial deal than an LPN from ecpi(unless they charge community college rates, which I doubt).

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I agree with RNperdiem regarding limited LPN opportunity at the major facilities in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area. If you are considering completing an LPN program and then applying for an online LPN-BSN program, please review the UNC Board of Governors list of Approved Degree Programs of Licensed Institutions prior to enrolling. If you complete a non-approved program I am unsure how this will affect licensure in NC, even if you were to apply for licensure by endorsement.

I also agree with RNperdiem regarding obtaining an associate's degree from one of the local community colleges, and then applying to a BSN completion program. I am unsure whether Duke or Wake Med still hire nurses with associate's degrees, but I do know that UNC does, and they have a decent tuition reimbursement and tuition waiver program.

If you haven't done so, as you have a master's degree in another field you might also consider an accelerated BSN program; I know that both UNC and ECU provide this option, and other schools in the UNC system might as well.

I wish you the best as you navigate your education options.

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If you can, I would go straight to the BSN program and skip the LPN route. As others pointed out, there are more jobs for RNs out there. I would do prerequisites as cheaply as possible (community college) and then go into an accelerated BSN for people who already have a bachelors degree.

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What part of the country are you in? LPN's in NC usually start out in rehabs or doctors offices, most hospitals won't hire but some of my friends have lucked up. After 2-3 years experience the pay is good. Jobs are out there but you may have a challenge with pay difference moving into a new field. I am a new grad looking for my firstRN job but currently working in the health insurance field for over 20 years and struggling to find the balance. I am looking at a big pay cut but I know eventually it will work out. Not sure I can weather a big financial cut even though we are a two check household. Waiting patiently for the perfect scenario. Good luck!!!!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Why do you want to be a nurse? This is a very hard profession and probably vastly different from your corporate role. As an LPN you will likely find most jobs in a nursing home. There are a lot more options if you are an RN. You won't be able to do an online BSN without being a RN. Have you thought about the realities of starting a nursing job now?

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

OP: I am going to say to you what I say to every person who makes similar posts.

Spend a 12-hour shift with a nurse. If he/she doesn't eat/ sit/ pee (and it is highly likely that he/she will not do any of these things in 12 hours)- then neither do you. Then decide your next move.

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You have an advanced degree. I don't know what field it is in, but parlay that into the medical field... instead of spending time and money, in hopes of using a technical degree.

Tuition reimbursement is NOT going to happen.

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OP: I am going to say to you what I say to every person who makes similar posts.

Spend a 12-hour shift with a nurse. If he/she doesn't eat/ sit/ pee (and it is highly likely that he/she will not do any of these things in 12 hours)- then neither do you. Then decide your next move.

So true! However, professionals have learned how to eat, sit, and pee at the same time. It's doing it in 5 minutes, that's the challenge.

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I have worked in geriatrics very early in my career. I volunteered for 1 year prior to getting a CNA. Then I worked for two years with Alzheimer's patients. But this was 30 years ago. I still remember the names of my patients.

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Healthcare 30 yrs ago doesn't reflect at all what it is now. The caseloads and acuities have increased immensely. It would be very prudent to follow MMJ's advice and truely witness what the job looks like now before taking that leap.

I don't understand how an LPN can become an RN via online program. You have found an online program that will admit you prior to holding an RN license? Is it incredibly expensive?

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[…]

I don't understand how an LPN can become an RN via online program. You have found an online program that will admit you prior to holding an RN license? Is it incredibly expensive?

Apparently Indiana State University offers an LPN-BSN Track – BSN online. Although the College of Health and Human Services states the North Carolina BON recognizes the LPN to BSN track, the bigger problem is going to be finding one that has been approved by the UNC Board of Governors. I am unsure how this lack of approval will affect the OP when he or she applies for licensure in NC.

[…]

Tuition reimbursement is NOT going to happen.

Again, if he or she is hired at UNC, both tuition assistance and tuition waivers at state institutions are available.

You have an advanced degree. I don't know what field it is in, but parlay that into the medical field... instead of spending time and money, in hopes of using a technical degree.

[…]

This is excellent advice.

If you are serious about nursing, I think you've been given excellent advice regarding shadowing a nurse. This will help you make your decision with current data, not 30 year old memories.

Best wishes in whichever route you choose.

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