Pls Help!!!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 28, 2006

I completed an LVN program in Van Nuys, California last year and have not had any problems finding jobs. LVNs are slowly being phased out of hospitals, but I have no interest in ever working at a major hospital because the pay is so low. I live in Texas and have 2 jobs: one at a nursing home for $18.50 hourly and another at a psychiatric hospital for $16.00 hourly.

When I did my clinical practices in the operating room last year in Panorama City, all of the surgical technicians in the OR were LVNs. You can become an LVN and work in day surgery if that is your goal. There is no need to become a surgical tech, and this is just my opinion.

suebird3 · Jun 28, 2006

Griddleboy, if I had a dime for everytime I heard that LPN's were being phased out, I'd be retired already! :uhoh3:

I had heard that 19 years ago when I got my LPN; I guess that rumour has been around longer than that, too. In fact, if you search the site, there had been SOO many posts on that, it isn't funny. :angryfire

I say go for the LPN. You can always bridge up to being an RN like I did.

Suebird

LPN Soon · Jun 30, 2006

I just graduated this month from a LPN program. I would recommend LPN over surgical technologist just because as an LPN there are so many different areas you can work in. With a surgical technologist I would think you would be limited to the OR.

Lisa:nurse:

leeleechee · Jul 1, 2006

I graduated from the LPN program in MARCH 2006. A lot of people that I knew was trained to be a scrub tech as a LVN... I would preferred LVN because there is a lot of area you could get into...

Fiona59 · Jul 3, 2006

In my part of the world, you have to be an LPN before you take training to become an OR Tech.

Having seen the way some surgeons treat their OR Techs and Nurses I would ask you how you cope with ridicule, sarcasm, stress, standing on your feet in a cold room for long periods of time??

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jul 3, 2006

With a mask and paper gown that trap heat, the room feels comfortable.

Ridicule and sarcasm can happen in any dept in any facility.

Only if it's permitted to happen.

kikr · Jul 3, 2006

LPN/LVN holds many more oppurtunities than surg tech does, I'd definately tell you to go LPN with those options. However I'll also tell you that if your going to pay to go to nursing school, then go RN you get even more options and oppurtunities. Yeah the school may be a year longer but its worth it. Good luck.

Beary-nice · Jul 3, 2006

I am with Sue B. on this one. I went to LPN school 18 years ago and also was under the impression that LPNs would be phased out. I must say over all of these years, I have had some of the most wonderful opportunities and experiences and have seen and done things that others will never experience. I think we could all say that in our own way. Good luck with your decision.

sheldon09 · Jul 3, 2006

I agree with one of your replies, LVN or Scrub Tech, pick the one you will enjoy doing the most because with either one, you are still limited. If you become a LVN, the work you do and the amount of knowledge you obtain, you will want to go back and get your RN. In the OR, Scrub Tech have much bigger roles than RN's I think. After doing a OR rotation in BSN school, I was bored, you are basically there to help when needed and to count in the end. The doctor, scrub tech and CRNA or anesthesiologist play an important role in OR.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jul 3, 2006

In the OR, Scrub Tech have much bigger roles than RN's I think. After doing a OR rotation in BSN school, I was bored, you are basically there to help when needed and to count in the end. The doctor, scrub tech and CRNA or anesthesiologist play an important role in OR.

HA!

Scrub techs have a role in the OR, but they do not have a much bigger role than an RN!

An RN can do the same job as a CST, except that an RN can do more than a CST (check SB websites, or AORN).

An RN in the OR does way more than "help when needed" and "count in the end". Either one of those quote remarks is a huge understatement of the job (not to mention insulting to the profession).

And the RN plays a vitally important role in the OR. It's called patient advocate. Never underestimate the RN's role in the OR.

(It might be suggested that before commenting on specifics of the roles of people, research should be done first, instead of guestimating. This is what causes confusion, not to mention raw nerves.)