they say there's a nursing shortage, ha

vbrown1977 · May 10, 2011

Well I know in the state of michigan those that are LPN's work in LTC/nursing homes/doc office, in order to work in a hospital and be recognized as a nurse you will need an RN in most states. As an RN you will have more options than as an LPN,so there is a difference. Look in the michigan area,im sure you will find something that will pay more than 1200 a month as an LPN. Look Into Lifecare centers of america.

lpn.sarah · May 10, 2011

Here in missouri LPNs can work in hospitals in the med/surg area. the pay wasnt 1200 a month it was family health insurance at the LTC place I was working.. the pay was 14.50 an hour 32 hrs- 40 hrs a week. we have thought about houghton MI dont really know if thats a good place to raise a family or not

KRISNIKMAR · May 11, 2011

First of all I am sorry to hear about what is happening to you I know it can be frustrating when having difficulty finding your dream job after all the hard work that it took to obtain your nursing license. With that being said I find it a liitle bit offensive for you to compare LPN's to ADN-RN'S in that we only have a year more book work than LPN and that you have more hands on care. I think you are sadly misinformed. Are you under the impression that in that extra year that we endure that we only do "book work". We also have hours upon hours of clinicals that we must also complete to become ADN-RN's. I respect your choice to become a LPN so please respect my choice to become a RN and do not down play that extra year that we go to scholle to accomplish our dreams.

soxgirl2008 · May 11, 2011

I respect LPNs and ADN-RNs regardless, but how can you have more clinical training than an ADN when ADNs have a year more of schooling? They aren't just doing "book work" in that year, they are also doing clinicals.

It sucks you can't find a job, but I think some ADN nurses are going to find your post slightly offensive...

Seas · May 11, 2011

You need to chill out a little bit and watch your words regarding RN's, LPN's comparison. It is not RNs' fault that you can't find a job. Your post is offensive for RN's that also include me.

windmill182 · May 13, 2011

You mentioned Houghton MI. I grew up in Northern Michigan, about an hour away. Awesome place to raise a family, but you definitely need to be able to handle snow!!! I dont know too much about the Nursing need though. My Step Dad who is an RN, BSN with years of experience had to wait about 6 months when he moved back..

Good luck!

al586 · May 13, 2011

I'm probably going to get lynched for this, being a LPN, but I can see why a RN would find the OP's statement offensive. They did the extra work to be RN's, and deserve the kudos that go with it. True, an LPN can be very effective in a hospital setting, but we still have to pester RN's for IV pushes (in PA, anyway), blood transfusions, and so on...extra work for them!

I consider the RN's I work under as a source for inspiration, not resentment. I don't regret my choice to attend LPN school first...I learned so much there! Not only the clinical aspect, but what it feels like to be the "middle child" LPN. However, I have applied to an RN program, because I want to learn what they know, and do what they do. I still have so much to learn!

ShantheRN, BSN, RN · May 13, 2011

^^^^ This.

For the record, I graduated with some LPNs doing the RN bridge program. I think there was a 2-3 class difference between the programs. By the third term (out of 9) we were all on the same curriculum. A few of them had the "well I'm already a nurse so I'm way ahead of you" attitude. It didn't last very long :) That's all I'll say about that.

LPN hospital jobs are hard to come by because an RN can do LPN duties and then some. It makes sense from a financial standpoint. All of my doctors' offices are staffed by LPNs. My hospital hires a few LPNs, but only for select home health visits. Have you tried that? All nurses are having difficulties finding work, as you can see from the billion threads on this topic. Persistence and flexibility go a long way towards finding a job. You also said there aren't any openings that "pay well." Maybe that's part of the problem? I understand wanting competitive wages but starting LPN pay isn't that great to begin with. Payscale.com listed it as $13-20/ hour. I know a hospital here in SW Ohio that has a large %age of LPNs. Starting pay for new grads is $15.

And no, I haven't found a job yet either. I graduated the end of January and passed boards in March. It takes time. Good luck to you!

dee78 · May 13, 2011

I can relate to the OP. I am a recent grad LPN that refuses to work in a nursing home. I applied for several office positions but it seems those are going to medical assistants. The city I live in has 3-4 different colleges that offer medical assistant programs. I ask every "nurse" in the doctor's office what they are and a large majority are MAs.

I begin a bridge program next week to get my ADN. The summer semester is our transition semester and then we will join the 2nd year RN students for the remainder of the program. It's much more than 1 year when you consider the prereqs/other courses that are required for the RN vs none for the LPN (here).

One big difference between my LPN and RN programs...LPN is 5 days a week from 8-3. Transition this summer is 8-2 one day for lecture and 7-1 for clinicals 1 day. The RN program adds one more day. So technically the LPN program has more class time and possibly clinical hours than RN.

But as a future ADN, I can see where others are offended by the OP.

joanna73, BSN, RN · May 15, 2011

It sucks, this whole job situation...for everyone. And, I'm the first to say that I respect LPNs, ADNs, whatever. Still, it kind of irritates me when people complain about other nurses education. I'm an RN, and I spent 5 long years to get there. No, I am no better, and the market is tough for RNs, too. But these days, the reality is that you are going to find it harder without a BSN. Less money and less opportunities without the degree. That's just the way it is now.

diva rn, BSN, RN · May 16, 2011

Yes, unfortunatly, the market is tight for everyone. It seems to be regional as well. In South Florida, it is extremely competitive, too many nurses for too few positions. Too many nursing schools are turning out too many nurses. Hospitals are not hiring and are cutting positions and expanding staff/rn ratios. It is very difficult if not impossible for LPN's here to get hospital positions. The main places that are hiring LPNs are LTC facilities, Home Health agencies and Doctors offices/clinics. However, I have noticied that with this tight job market, many RNs have been accepting LPN positions with LPN wages/not fair maybe, but like I said, it's really hard here.