Please advise, regarding a job.

[Whey]

Hi All!

I'm going straight to my inquire so that I do not waste your time. I'm an LVN/LPN currently employed and had completed all the requirements for an LVN to RN Program or even LVN to BSN Program at a State University.

Recently, I was offered a job by Davita's as a Patient Care Technician (PCT) Full Time. I am sorta considering it because of the benefits they offer for growth. Such as, Tuition Reimbursement, RN Scholarship Program, RN New Grad Program.

I Informed them that I am actively applying for an LVN Bridge Programs (LVN to RN or BSN) and they mentioned those aforementioned benefits for my advantage in my nursing career.

In summary, they will help me out in school and be in their New Grad Program as well later on.

Its been a dilemma for this past few days whether I should accept it or not, and would need to resign my LVN career if I accepted it. On top of that, I'm few months away from reaching the 1year LVN experience and currently waiting on few results on Bridge Programs that I recently applied.

So Please advice, thank you for your time.

Best Regards,

Whey

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

This is a little complicated. If you have completed all of your general ed courses for the bridge program, then are those credits transferrable if you decide to do a traditional BSN program as opposed to a bridge program?

Is the company going to require you to resign your LPN license? Or can you keep it for the purpose of a bridge program?

How much is the tuition re-imbursement and scholarships? And re-imbursement is just that--you put out the money, they will give you only a certain monetary amount. Is there financial aid available through your bridge program? Are there scholarships as well through the school? Your high school for alumnus? Sometimes they also require that they "approve" what they re-imburse. Just make sure you know what it is they are going to do, not what they may be willing to do with a bunch of depends on....

Will they give you in writing that you will be able to be part of their new grad program when you graduate? It is fine for them to sell you on the advantages, but getting it in writing as part of your offer could be to your benefit.

Look at waiting lists as well. If the credits do not transfer (and even if they do) how is it decided by the college who moves on to cliniclas--is it a GPA, is it something else?

And lastly, being a PCT is vastly different than being an LPN. You may find it straining/draining/difficult. You may not even like the company itself, and decide you wouldn't want to be an RN for them. Then what? What would be plan "B"? You would have to attempt to get your LPN license back, get a job as an LPN, and see if you can get back into a bridge program. One of the most important things you need to do for yourself and your future is to NOT let go of the courses you have already undertaken. Or let them lapse.

If you are just about at the 1 year mark, why not get some certifications (IV and wound care come to mind), start the clincial portion of the school you have already completed the difficult portion of, and know that clincials will not require a wait?

I would discuss all of this with HR at the new company. I would also discuss all this with the guidance counselor at your current college. Weigh the pros and cons.

Good luck with your endevours!