soladylike1

Will having LPN experience get you a higher pay rate when you become an RN or do you get treated like a new RN grad without any previous nursing experience?

I agree with Justiceforjoy try job shadowing each field first. I guess it also depends on you and the area you live in. I live in AL right on Ga state line. LPN programs are generally 12 mos long. The RN programs and Rad Tech programs are 22-24 mos long. There are no more accredited 1 yr Rad programs in our area they are all 2 years like Rn programs. In AL and GA Rad techs do not make more than Rns. Some Rad Tech make less than some LPNs working in LTC. I chose LPN first due to being wait listed for an RN program. My friend graduated last May 2008 in Radiologic Technology and has still not found employement in her field. Nurses especially RN's have more job oppurtunities period! Nurses are employed in hospitals, clinics, health departments, home health, nursing/rehab homes, dentist offices, schools etc. (you name it)! Rad techs dont have that versitility, the are employed mainly in hospitals and diagnostic centers and on rare occassions at a Dr.'s office. If you do receive additional (Rad) education in CT or MRI thats usually only when you'll see pay that is compatible to an RN's (atleast in my area). Contact your local hospital for shadowing opportunities to explore each career field. Both are rewarding in their own way. It will be your personal preference of course. Good luck!

Does anyone have any advice on websites or tips that I can use to be successful in pharmacology? Any information provided is greatly appreciated....Thanks!

I am not a nurse yet, so I inquired to my college's Exposure Control Officer. She advised me that you can not be discriminated against due to your conditions. However, you must be able to meet the acceptable performance standards and medical evidence that your condition is not at threat to yourself and others. Also depending on your state, you may be required to disclose your medical condition. In our state a person in health care must disclose a diagnoses of any communicable and or life threatening- illneses within 30 days. There are many healthcare workers who have tested positive for Hepatitis B and many whom have contracted it through the healthcare setting. Good luck to you!

Thank you all for your comments. I feel much more confident about my decision of pursing an LPN education first. I just had orientation and my first class starts this week. I know that I will be a much better RN when I later further my education. I wish I would have done this a few years ago!

Yes CVCC did lose their nursing accreditation from the NLNAC. Most students are going to complete the program. The school advised us that they have met and discussed this matter with local employers whom have confirmed that it will not be a problem. However, many other nurses on this site have stated that it can pose potential problems if you want to further you nursing education. Also some hospital groups may not hire you if you did not graduate from an accredited nursing program. Fortunately if and when CVCC regains there accreditation things will be fine again. The school has stated that it has corrected the issues that caused them to lose the accreditation and can not be re-evaluated for accreditation again for another 2 or more years.

I am so tired of people downing me for going the LPN route first instead of straight to RN. What is wrong with being an LPN first? What is the big deal? I had an old instructor say to me, "you're too smart for that; you should have just went straight through to be an RN, your wasting time". I can't take another negative comment!!! How can anyone say that Im wasting time when I'll be an LPN within the next year. I was wait listed for the RN program. I'd be wasting my time if I continue to WAIT on the list doing nothing. What's wrong with people's view of the LPN role!!!

Yes, Sweetgeorgianurse I am referring to CVCC.

The school will not have the opportunity to regain their accreditation for 2 or more years. The school stated that their LPN program has never been NLNAC accredited. They have had the LPN program for over 25 years. The faculty were upfront to say that this lost should only affect RN students if at all. I have just been very hesitant about proceeding with the program acceptance. I would think if a program was lacking in important standards that it would not be state approved or it would affect licensening. But they insists it has not affected those areas.

Thanks Commuter, I feel more comfortable with accepting the LPN slot at this school. I was so afraid of not being hired in the future on that basis alone. Do you think it may affect RN students more?

I have been accepted to a school that just recently lost it's NLNAC accreditation for it's Associate's Degree RN program. I was accepted into the school's LPN program. The school has explained that the this accreditation lost will not affect the LPN program because their LPN program has never been NLNAC accredited only state approved. I will be able to sit for boards. The schools insists to RN students that it really isn't as big of a deal as the media has suggested. However, I've been doing some research and I noticed that in many areas most RN positions require graduating from an accredited school. I have noticed a few LPN positons with that requirement also. Does that accreditation mean more than the college wants to admit to? What might this mean after I graduate even if I get licensed? I don't want to waste time working towards a LPN certification and it becomes useless. Does anyone have any input they can share please?

Sorry Ancy1 I should have mentioned I am not a nurse yet; so I dont have any special tips that might help you impress your DON. However, I know that you will be nervous but try to be confident! Make sure that you are very attentive (takes notes if possible) and show your willingness to learn. These characteristics helps with any job! Trust yourself, you got this. GOOD LUCK!

I can understand your frustration but try not to be discouraged. Go ahead and continue to look to for work as an LPN, don't give up! You did not go to college to become a LPN to not use the license . Theres nothing wrong with you going back for RN, but that does not mean you can't work as a LPN. The great thing about nursing is the opportunites for flexibility.So you can do both work and school. I have a cousin that lives in Albany, NY and it took her a while (4 months) to find work last year after she graduated for LPN. Stay encouraged!

If you've registered, submit your question or topic under the forum you're addressing. Click at the top,submit new thread. Thanks for your input!

I was recently accepted to a Lpn program about 30 miles from where I live. I accepted this route only because I have been wait listed for a local Rn program and I'm tired of waiting. However, I have noticed that the job market for Rns & Lpns in my 50 mile radius has declined drastically. On the other hand, I have seen atleast 30-40 job openings for medical assistants in my local area alone. I know that a medical assistant is not a nurse, but it appears they're the ones getting jobs. In my area the pay difference between a medical assistant and a Lpn is only $2 on average. I'm really considering possibly becoming a medical assistant to have income while I play the wait game for the Rn program. Would that be a mistake? Should I just enroll in the Lpn program and hope for the best? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Good suggestion Caliotter3, I may just do that. Thanks for your input!

Thanks for your input! I am so far down the waiting list that the nursing advisor was honest about my chances of getting in this go round. Im almost a sure in for next Aug 2010. The problem is, no I really did not want to be a LPN, but by Aug 2010 I'll be finished w/ LPN and ready to work. My current job pays just about what new LPNs make,but my current job is so unstable at this point!

Thanks for your input! In regards to the wait period; I am #23 on a waiting list of 25 for a chance to get accepted into the RN program starting in Aug 09. They will only start accepting wait listers in the event someone does not meet other preadmission requirements,shots,background checks etc. Since I am so far down the wait list my chances are very slim. The nursing advisor did inform me that they usually don't get past number 13 on the wait list in the same semester. She also told me that next accepting round I'm almost sure to get in, but thats next August 2010. I really did not want to go the Lpn route because it just seems like it takes longer to become a RN. I dont want to be another lpn statistic who never progressed to rn for any number of reasons. I only considered LPN because of the extra year of waiting and my current job is so unstable. However, my wages as a new Lpn will only increase about $2 from my current wages. Thats why this decision is not as obvious as one would think it should be.

I recently received my acceptance letter for a Waiting list for a RN program I applied to. However, I was accepted to a LPN program further away. Should I accept the LPN slot or wait on the RN slot in hopes of being accepted soon? I am so confused. I have heard a lot of negative feedback especially from LPNs about becoming a Lpn when you can go directly to RN. My biggest concern is not being able to bridge to RN smoothly in the furture. In addition, I notice that the job opportunities for Lpns are not near as broad as for RNs. On the hand, I don't want to set my self up for diappointment either way. With the current economy, I don't know if I should got with the LPN and be done next summer (2010) ;or if being a RN is worth the risk of possibly not finishing til 2012. Having a more stable career is also a factor. Any input is greatly appreciated.....

I recently received my acceptance letter for the waiting list for a RN program I applied to. However, I was accepted to a LPN program at another school further away. Should I accept that LPN slot and complete the program or take my chances with RN program in hopes of getting in soon? I need some wise advice. I've heard many nurses say that a LPN license is a waste of time and a mistake for many nurses (vs straight to RN). With the current economy, I must do something to have other jobs options. Any input is greatly appreciated!

I need some honest advice. In out current economy, would it be better to go to school to be an LPN or RN? Which license will give you a better chance for jobs opportunities in the current economy? I've heard that many hospitals are cutting costs and are not hiring many new RN grads as they've done in the past? I have not heard much about LPNs in LTC. Any input is greatly appeciated!

Southern Union Community College

I attended Columbus State in 2005- 2006 (pretty good college overall). I was not in the nursing program but I have friends and associates that have graduated from Columbus State's nursing program. It is a very good program from what I've heard and from seeing my friends progress on from it. I only know of one person who went to West Ga and they never really commented on the program. I guess if you have been accepted into both programs , you may want to decide based on graduate %,costs, distance etc. If you have NOT been accepted into Columbus State's program yet, then I guess your decision may aleady be made for you. At the end of the day, I don't see you really going wrong with either choice. Good luck to you!

I am in a delimma and in real need of some solid advice. I applied to my local ADN program that starts this fall. The college only accepts applicants in the ADN program twice a year, fall and spring semesters. If I don't get accepted into the fall adn program should I wait the 4 months in hopes of possibly getting accepted into the program for spring semester (Jan 2010)? I already have a guaranteed slot in a LPN program starting this Fall at a different college about 30 miles away from where I live. If I don't get accepted into the Fall Rn program should I wait and just reapply for spring or accept the fall LPN slot instead? Is being an Rn first worth the risk of me possibly waiting another year before I am a nursing student? It's a more difficult decision since the economy is so unstable. If anyone has any advice, I'm all ears !

I'm applying to my local ADN program this fall, but I am also considering applying for an LPN program at a school 25 miles away as a backup plan. I am almost guaranteed accetance into the LPN program at the other school. However, If I do not get accepted into the ADN pogram this fall, I can reapply again for Spring Semester (Jan 2010). By spring semester I'll have a better chance of being accepted into the ADN program. The negative aspect of the starting the spring ADN program is that it is two semesters longer than the Fall ADN program. I'm in a dilemma, if I don't get accepted into the (fall) ADN program should I accept the LPN slot and try to bridge to RN later? Is it best for me to take the chance of possibly being accepted into the Spring ADN program (still not guaranteed a slot)? Time is crucial, I'm so unsure of what to do in this unstable economy. If anyone has some advice, I'm all ears!!!