TL&(nursing)Care

Okay here is the deal, I am 28 and going to Gateway Community and Technical College in NKY. I applied for the ADN program last semester and didn't get in. So I applied for the LPN program and did get in. Now, I have all my prerequisites for ADN. I am starting to feel like I am making a mistake. I was worried about missing my opportunity to get into the field that I love. But, EVERYONE, EVERYONE says oh you should get your RN. I have full intentions of doing this, but now everyone has made me worry that LPN's only start at 12.00 and hour ($2.87 less than I make now at my current job). So, I am worried that if I have to take a big pay cut, that I might not be able to cover my bills, and I will feel so stupid! I don't know what to do. Please help if you can give me some advice. Thank you!

Hello, I was wondering if anyone could tell me what the starting pay for LPN's in Northern Kentucky is, and if there is good job availability? Either LTC or Hospitals. Thanks in advance! :)

Melosaur, thank you soooo much for the very very helpful information! I can definitely see how it would be so hard, especially for you driving that far and being so tired. I will take that into consideration, but you are soo right can always fit work into your schedule. But, your sleep will be crazy! I think once I find a groove like you said it may start to be easier. :) This really helps alot though!

My program starts June 1st. Yea, that's why i was trying to get a feel from other students on how it worked for them. BTW Going into nursing is worrisome, I hear a lot about how the whole "nursing shortage" is a lie, I am going into to Nursing because I love the field, but it makes me worried that I may not be able to get a job out of school. So many worries with nursing why do they make it sooo darn hard to go to school, and get a job when they act like they need Nurses so bad! Sorry to go on a tangent it's just frustrating!

It's nice to hear this! I hope I too can find this balance! :)

That's what I was thinking too, working the days that I don't have classes. The hours of 3rd shift there are 10:30-6, I was thinking of asking them about 12 hour days though to cut down on the number of days I am actually working. So maybe doing the 12's on my day off.

Hello, So, I am so excited I got accepted into the LPN program at school! Yay! The only scary part is that my classes will be from 8-4pm mon-thurs. So, I have to quit my current day job that is unrelated to nursing completely. I have an interview at a Nursing Home on Wednesday and have applied for 3rd shift. I can't afford to not work, so I am just curious how many of you have worked 3rd shift while going to school? I am a little nervous about it, so any suggestions are very appreciated! :) Also, am I the only one that is disturbed by the fact that most places do not offer an evening nursing program? I think it's a shame there is not more opportunity like that!

I completely understand what you are saying. I am a CNA now but not working in the field, I did before though for 4 years but ended up leaving due to finding a better paying job in sales nonetheless. I have taken all my RN pre req's and applied for the Spring term and didn't get in, it is VERY competitive and people retake classes over and over to get better grades for higher "point" consideration. The LPN now is only a year and starts only once a year in the summer. So, I feel like I can't get racking up school debt trying to get into the elusive RN program now. My goal was to get my LPN then immediately go back to bridge to RN. But, in the meantime yes I have a great concern of LPN job availability and am unsure of what my potential starting salary may be. Thank you so much for your response, you are definitely right, it is way better to be an RN and I really did try but the school debt is really discouraging right now. Unfortunately I make too less to be eligible for grants and have applied for scholarships but haven't gotten any. It sucks if you don't have kids and work making okay money you can't get crap for financial assistance it's like your forced into loans. My opinion is it's just a racket! lol Thank you again for taking the time to respond it is much appreciated! :)

Hi All, I am going into the LPN program at Gateway Community and Technical College in Edgewood KY. I was wondering if anyone knew what the starting pay for an LPN in the NKY area is. And how is job availability? I keep hearing that LPN's are a thing of the past and that I won't be able to find a job once I graduate? Is this true? Thanks! Alice