Recommendations for LPN to RN programs in Western WA??

Published

Specializes in Rheumatology/Emergency Medicine.

I currently live in TN and can start a LPN to RN program here either Jan 2012 or summer 2012. I have a job offer in Seattle with the VA at $21.09 base, I'm debating taking it and finishing my RN up there or staying here and finishing first prior to moving. What do you all recommend??

Any good programs up there?? I have a BA in History, have A&P I/II, prob & stats, Intro to Micro done. Those are the big 4 prereq's for schools here.

My base as an LPN here in TN is $16.50 in the ER, I'd be a med nurse basically at the VA in Seattle and I'd have to choose whether to commute to Seattle or try to live close.

Any recommendations?

Thanks

Tony in TN

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

Tough question! There are some good programs in the area. It depends if you want 2 or 4 yr and if you can get in.

The VA is a huge hospital and has lots of opportunities to learn. Is the 21 base for LPN wage?

I worked there years ago as an LPN. They were not nice to us at all, though treated the RN's very well (or used to). I don't know if that attitude changed or not. I heard they built on to it as well. It was huge back then! We also had to rotate two shifts and work 10 days straight. I really hope that changed, lol.

As for living, Seattle is very expensive to live in, but you might be able to make it work on 21.00/hr. There are many suburbs if you don't mind driving a bit.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Rheumatology/Emergency Medicine.

Thanks Tokmom,

I work for the VA in TN and they treat the LPN's like red headed step children here as well, not going to believe this....new grad LPN starts at $11.38hr here, while CNA starts out at $15hr. I took an ER tech job at $15hr until I could get an LPN job and they matched my pay, otherwise I would be making less than my wife who is an CNA (non-certified).

My biggest concern is getting into a program, any program, anywhere. The way things are going it's not a good idea to be an LPN, RN's get treated much better at the VA than LPN's. When I was working as a floor nurse in a civilian hospital, I was treated much better and got the same patient load as the RN's, I really enjoyed working at private hospital, but the VA pays better.

Tony in TN

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion