RN or LPN? Need advice...

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I passed the NCLEX and got my license almost a year ago. I have applied EVERYWHERE, and i have not yet found a job. I was an RN in Argentina, and I work for four years in NICU. However, that experience is now too old, and my license, as it seems, is worth nothing, for I didn't study in USA.

At this moment, my transcripts are being evaluating by IERF because I want to go back to school here to obtain my BSN. I don't know if that will help in my job search, but I thought I'd give it a try. Nonetheless, another idea crossed my mind. What if I go for LPN? It would cost me the same amount of money (more or less) and it might be a good way to gain some experience in the nursing field here in the States. I am not sure though if I can be an LPN and an RN at the same time. Wouldn't there be a conflict with the two licenses?

I have even tried volunteering at a hospital, but they denied my request based on my RN license: due to hospital policy, they don't trust that I would act as a regular voluntee in case of an emergecy...that because I have the knowledge, I would act immediately as a nurse...

I am not going to say I am miserable, but it is very sad that I can't do what I love doing just because I don't have experience and all the training programs are only accepting BSN's...

I know I am capable of being a good nurse, and I love being a nurse, but it is so frustrating that sometimes my mind tells me to give up on nursing and just study accounting or something else. The problem is, however, that my heart has been on the nursing side all my life.

What is your opinion? should I get my BSN or should I give a try to the LPN program?

Thank you in advance for your help!

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Specializes in Pediatric Private Duty; Camp Nursing.

Contact the admissions dept of several local colleges and inquire about both LPN and RN programs. RN programs are at least two years, LPN is usually one. Perhaps depending on the state you are in and what program you take, you can test out of some of the program. If you are in a hurry to work in your field again and/or have monetary and/or childcare concerns, then go the quickest route to be professionally employed, then go back for the RN when the time is right for you. Colleges often have LPN to RN bridge programs, and there are some online programs as well. But you need to check with an academic advisor to see where you are and what you need to do.

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Specializes in Surgical/ Trauma critical care.

I'm not sure if I understand correctly you are already a RN in Argentina but without a BSN and recently passed your boards in the US and can not find a job? If this is so I am not sure why thats possible, if this is because you have have not practice nursing in a long time and places are not hiring you because of it, I would just take a refreshing course, which would show your initiative in returning to the nursing field. I am not sure about the question of LPN vs RN if you are already a RN and have a liscence here, why would you take step back, I would just do a bridge RN-BSN

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Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.

i am confused. you said you already passed the nclex. which one? i am assuming it is the nclex-rn. if so, then you are already an rn in the u.s.? correct?

then, why would you waste your time and money with the lpn program when you are already a u.s. rn?

keep looking for an rn job. have you tried ltc (nursing homes)? what about home care?

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Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.

okay i re-read your post and you are already an rn here in the u.s. and you are thinking of going back to school for your bsn and thought maybe you can try lpn program instead because i am assuming you see more lpn jobs in your area?

if i am not mistaken, you can just challenge the nclex-pn and do not have to attend an lpn program. try calling you bon and inquire on how to go about it.

i've known a couple of filipinos who graduated nursing school in the philippines and cannot pass the nclex-rn so they challenged the nclex-pn and passed. so now they are an lpn.

please also check with your bon if you can hold both lpn and rn licenses at the same time. i heard here (allnurses) that in some states you cannot.

new jersey allows this so i have both licenses for lpn and rn and plan to keep it that way. if i see an interesting position that is only open for lpn, i won't hesitate to apply if it is beneficial to me.

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Thank you all for your response!

I am an RN here in California. I have received many calls from recruiters, and they all say the same: that I don't have experience in the States, so I don't qualify for any position. I know that many new grads are having a hard time finding a job as well, and I think that the fact that I didn't study here only makes my profile less attractive to recruiters. :uhoh3:

The idea of being an LPN came up because I thought that it might be easier to find a job as LPN rather than RN??? But I am not sure.

I have thought of taking a refresher course, but the ones I found are a little expensive (1,000 more or less). I don't currently have that amount of money, but it is a choice I have in mind.

Again, thank you all, you helped me a lot!

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