nursing home vs hospital

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Sep 19, 2014

Any number of hospitals do not hire LPNs for floors/units, so I am not sure. Even more who use LPN's as a CNA as opposed to a nurse.

Hospital systems will sometimes hire for clinics or MD offices, but any number of those positions are for medical assistants as opposed to LPNs.

Skilled and LTC use LPN's in a variety of ways. Sometimes as charge nurses which in some cases would be extra differential. I think you have to really like the LTC setting, as it is a great deal of residents, and not a lot of support as far as many nurses.

There are psych facilities, correctional settings, home health, teaching CNA or Medical Assistant courses--other opportunities for an LPN which may be more money as well. Do some research and see where they are hiring in your area.

Best of luck!

UORN2b · Sep 23, 2014

Hello Manda,

In my area and experience, Hospital LPN work varies in terms of the difficulty of the work. Some nursing home settings are very hard to work in as an LPN because of the volume of meds that you have to pass. On the other hand I think that nursing home LPN's have a bit more "clout" if you will because they are not surrounded by RN's, and they can basically run the show in the Nursing home setting.

HazelLPN, LPN · Sep 23, 2014

Any number of hospitals do not hire LPNs for floors/units, so I am not sure. Even more who use LPN's as a CNA as opposed to a nurse.
Hospital systems will sometimes hire for clinics or MD offices, but any number of those positions are for medical assistants as opposed to LPNs.
Skilled and LTC use LPN's in a variety of ways. Sometimes as charge nurses which in some cases would be extra differential. I think you have to really like the LTC setting, as it is a great deal of residents, and not a lot of support as far as many nurses.
There are psych facilities, correctional settings, home health, teaching CNA or Medical Assistant courses--other opportunities for an LPN which may be more money as well. Do some research and see where they are hiring in your area.
Best of luck!

I've been retired from the hospital for five years now so I'm out of the loop. I can't imagine an LPN working as a CNA. An LPN trains for 1-2 years, passed the NCLEX and maintains her/his license. What an INSULT to that education.

When I was in the hospital, I pretty much managed my own patients with little, if any, assistance from the charge nurse. The CNA would stock the bedsides, help with transport, assist the unit clerk, help with baths and weights etc.

I can't imagine if I was still working in the hospital and being told "you are no longer a nurse here, but you can work as a CNA. You're training means nothing, neither does passing the NCLEX and your years of experience don't count either....hand over your cap and pin!"

I guess this is happening to LPNs left and right, and from reading other boards, many think its just fine to do that.

What would I do if I was still working and that happened to me?

Go on permanent disability because I would probably stroke out when I found out.

Back to the question:

I did okay in the hospital, probably about $10 an hour less than the RNs and I worked in a large teaching hospital with a union. I could have done better if I worked in LTC, but I was never cut out to do that kind of nursing. Now I work in school nursing as an assistant school nurse, and the pay is so bad that I consider myself to be a volunteer.