Seeking feedback on LPN School...

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Hi, so my wife and I were discussing options for nursing school. My wife is an LPN she was part of the last State funded LPN class. She is in the process of trying to retake old prerequisites and eventually do the LPN to RN bridge.

With that said I applied once to RN school last year was waitlisted and applying again this year.

If waitlisted again thinking of the LPN route then maybe just attend a BSN program probably take 3 to 4 yrs all together.

Curious on thoughts of being an LPN?

Jobs are spread out in our State mostly nursing homes. Researching other States a lot of jobs for LPNs in psych and corrections. Currently work in psych eventually like to get my RN and work in psych so I see it as a foot in the door. Also a lot of State jobs, know up here, pay 100% of your college education so that's another plus!

Also a recent RN grad who was an LPN talking to who did home care made on average $30 an hour. Became an RN to get a year of hospital experience before jumping to travel nursing.

Just curious on your feedback of being an LPN? Cons vs Pros?

Thanks!

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Specializes in Peds,Geri-Psych,Acute Care Rehab.

PRO:Being an LPN has been invaluable to my nursing career (plus lets me make pretty good money while I am bridging) I have worked acute care rehab for a year and now am a school nurse thru a school staffing agency I net after taxes about $980 a week. I also work PRN home health and make $45 for skilled visits $55 if they are considered "long visits" (Close to an hour/pt needs extra help/complex skill)I usually do 6 visits a day and can chart while doing it. (Usually work about 8 hours) Awesome level of autonomy there but you really need to know your stuff because the MD takes nurse recommendations very seriously (usually has us write them like an "order" and signs right off on them)

CON: Be prepared to be "just" an LPN, and if you actually know your stuff be prepared for EVERYONE to be startled when you tell them your an LPN. The state I work in has a pretty large LPN scope of practice and in homecare I do everything the RN dose except admissions and things like that.

Overall being an LPN has been super beneficial for me I got way more hands on learning (I'm a diploma LPN so all my clinical's were in the hospital over 2 years) and working as an LPN in a facility most times cements you an RN role later. I've found myself able to asses right alongside the RN and have very often been commended by the ER when giving report when I give my title at the end. Bottom line anyone who is nasty to an LPN has never worked with one/been one and dose not understand our scope of practice and education. In my last acute rehab job I even trained new grads (funny because I'm only one year out myself) and have had a lot come back and ask me questions!

:)

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From what I know the scope of practice is pretty expansive in our State. Only thing they can't do is place IVs and take blood. However, can be IV certified.

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Also like the flexibility of the LPN program. It's 2 evenings during the week and 1 Saturday a week. There is only 2 Evening RN programs in the State and they are quasi-evenings.

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Specializes in Peds,Geri-Psych,Acute Care Rehab.
From what I know the scope of practice is pretty expansive in our State. Only thing they can't do is place IVs and take blood. However, can be IV certified.

Odd...what state are you in? And as an LPN in VA I could do everything except initial assessment, hanging blood (I could sign off on it and monitor though) Pull out a PICC line and Push certain cardiac drugs

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Specializes in Peds,Geri-Psych,Acute Care Rehab.
From what I know the scope of practice is pretty expansive in our State. Only thing they can't do is place IVs and take blood. However, can be IV certified.

An LPN in your state can not perform phlebotomy and venipuncture? Or do you mean they can not hang blood products.....In my state you can defiantly perform venipuncture (Although I usually call the phlebotomist as they are a lot better!) And we could even take blood from PICC lines so that strikes me as odd...although I know scope ranges.

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An LPN in your state can not perform phlebotomy and venipuncture? Or do you mean they can not hang blood products.....In my state you can defiantly perform venipuncture (Although I usually call the phlebotomist as they are a lot better!) And we could even take blood from PICC lines so that strikes me as odd...although I know scope ranges.

Connecticut. I know it's odd wife is an LPN IV certified. Can't insert, but can remove pick lines and hang bags. Can't do veinpuncture or insert IVs. The crazy thing is in our State techs were allowed to become IV certfied. They are thinking of allowing techs to remove lines again. I can do phlebotomy, glucose, and EKGs as a tech in my State. Use to do admissions, but new law few years back required a license professional to do admissions so that changed ha.

I was looking at being an LPN in Virginia. Pay concerns me with the debt I receive from going to LPN School up here. Currently make $20 an hour and heard that's average pay for an LPN in Virginia.

Where my dad lives in Califoirnia heard LPNs make $60K working for State Corrections may apply there. I don't know if have to have a Degree as a psych tech or LPN license/experience can be used instead.

Like to jump from LPN to BSN then look into joining the Navy or Airforce then go for my APRN in Mental Health.

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From what I know the scope of practice is pretty expansive in our State. Only thing they can't do is place IVs and take blood. However, can be IV certified.

LPNs in CT cannot start IV lines, can not hang blood products but can be the second check for the RN hanging the blood, we cannot push IV meds...

You have been contemplating LPN, RN for as long as I've been on Allnurses... years and years at this point! Why so indecisive?

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Specializes in School Nursing.

Im in CALI. The reason LVN make that much is because the cost of living here in outrageous. I made $36,000 last year bring home. I work for a school so I do get benefits and my summer is paid via taking a percentage out of my monthly check to set aside for JULY-AUGUST-Sept

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LPNs in CT cannot start IV lines, can not hang blood products but can be the second check for the RN hanging the blood, we cannot push IV meds...

You have been contemplating LPN, RN for as long as I've been on Allnurses... years and years at this point! Why so indecisive?

Nearly impossible to get in to a program in this State. I finished prereqs a year 1/2 ago got waitlisted trying one more time. Can't fathom paying $30K for LPN School. Most of CT programs for nursing school are closing or being condensed.

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