Nutmeg524

Exactly, but money talks, and it is a lot cheaper for them to just not hire LPN's. Thanks for all the responses, I am now narrowing down 2 different schools and deciding whether I will go the CMA route, or the CNA route. Both very different, but just as much hard work and rewarding. I think if I went the LPN route I may be biting off more than I can chew, and I don't want my only option to be a nursing home, since that seems to be the only place hiring LPN's around my area.

ooo ok yea I know what that is! U had me worried for a minute there! lol!

I've never heard of ADN? What is that? And I can't get into my local college for ANY nursing programs until next fall

That is true....I think the LPN would benefit me more in the end, no matter where I end up. It is more of an education than a CNA and it will open more opportunities for me, rather than becoming a CNA and working my way up in the hospital, which this woman suggested. If anything, I can get experience and see what I like, and if I still want to work in a hospital, I can find a bridge program to become an RN, since those are in desperate need here! Thanks for the reply..I am a little more comfortable with the idea today than I was yesterday! lol!

So I finally decided on going to a year and a half program that would get me a diploma in Practical Nursing, and then maybe continuing my education while working since most workplaces offer this, but am not quite sure of what type of bridge programs there are for this since it is only a diploma verses an associates. My new dilema is I emailed the hospital I want to work at eventually for some information, and they replied that they rarely hire LPN's, seeing as they are "mostly for nursing homes" (which I didn't think that was the case, but ok), and that they really only hire RN's and NA1 and NA2's (I think she meant CNA?). This frustrated me, because why would they hire someone with a certificate over an LPN? I need to get into some sort of school and time is running out, plus I don't exactly have 2-3 years for school which is why I originially decided to get my diploma in PN....someone please help me I feel so lost all of the sudden!!! I am in the Raleigh area, and the only real place there is is Wake Tech, but it is a 2 year program and I can't get into it until Fall 2010! Any ideas?

Thanks guys I feel a little better now...but now I have a new question....the school I had been looking at that is a year and a half offers a Diploma in Practical Nursing. Is this the same thing as an LPN, it didn't say it offered associates, so I'm a little worried about that now. Always something!

Let me just start out by saying my ultimate goal is to be a mother/baby nurse..have always wanted to do that! Now I am just stuck at finding a school that I won't be in for 3-4 years! I want to get into the workforce asap, but realize I need at least 2 years of schooling. There aren't many options here where I live, but I have an idea and need to know if I am just being too naive and wishy washy, or if it would work. There is a local school here that offers a diploma in Practical Nursing that can be finished within a year and a half, but I do realize this comes with limitations and cuts my salary in half (not a huge issue, but still kinda sucks). Should I take this, and then try an online school such as University of Phoenix to bridge to a RN? Or is this going to be difficult to do? (and I am not sure if this school is even the best for online)? My two problems are I don't exactly have four years to give up for school, and I live in the Raleigh area where there is either online, LPN, or 4 year+ schools.....any advice?? I am desperate for answers!

Thank you so much! Does it matter if I go to a school with a 2 year nursing program or a four? Obviously four would be best, but I am looking for 2 year if possible.

I have been wanting to become a mother-baby nurse, but do not know how to get into it. What kind of schooling do I need? I am under the impression I just need to become and RN and then take some sort of exam to become a mother/baby nurse, but I have a feeling there is more to it! If anyone is a mother/baby nurse, please let me know what I need to do, and how much schooling is needed! Oh and btw, is there a better term to use rather than mother/baby nurse? Thanks!