Southwest Michigan LPN's & Average Salary/Benefits

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I currently hold a BA in Education in Michigan. Though I graduated at the top of my class and have additional certifications for reading/writing beyond my degree, I have found in educaiton it is all about "who" you know, and not "what" you know. Therefore, I am going to start college this fall for the LPN program. Though I would love to do the RN program, there is a 2.5-3 year wait in Michigan and with the 2nd degree BSN program, there is at least a year of pre-reqs before I could apply. The BSN admittance is very competitive. That, combined with the fact that it would simply take longer, have made me decide to get through the quickest way possible right now, which is the LPN program at the communitly college, which I can complete in a year. After I graduate, I am hoping that I can continue on for the 2nd degree BSN with some assistance from my employer.

Can anyone tell me what the beginning pay (average) is for an LPN, as well as what time of benefits you get (do you have to pay for health insurance? for family to be insured? What type of shifts do you work? Is there flexibility?

I know some Grand Rapids hospitals do not use them anymore, but I would be open not just to hospitals, but long term care, hospice, or VA Hospitals. I am very anxious to get started and make a difference in peoples lives :nuke:...

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Specializes in Cardiac Tele, MICU RN.

Henry ford and Beaumont don't use LPN's anymore, but alot of nursing homes still do. And there salary is about the same as an RN!

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What about doing an accelerated BSN? With an LPN, you still need to take pre-reqs usually.

My friend is doing an accelerated BSN because she too got a bachelors in teaching.

She took 1 yr of pre-reqs, and then 18 months of nursing school. It's not too bad! :)

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AnnieMc,

Thank you for the information. Do you happen to know (from your friend) how competitive the accellerated BSN is? I thought about this possibility, but the possible wait to get in and cost was kind of holding me back. I really would prefer this option though. If you happen to have any other details from your friend, I would really appreciate hearing anything she/you have to say. Thank you again!!

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Specializes in AGNP.
AnnieMc,

Thank you for the information. Do you happen to know (from your friend) how competitive the accellerated BSN is? I thought about this possibility, but the possible wait to get in and cost was kind of holding me back. I really would prefer this option though. If you happen to have any other details from your friend, I would really appreciate hearing anything she/you have to say. Thank you again!!

Which accelerated BSN programs are you looking at? Grand Valley, MSU, U of M, Wayne State, and a few other schools offer accelerated BSN programs. Also I see you are in southwest MI so I'm not sure how far from the border you are but IUSB in South Bend has an accelerated BSN program. How competitive they are depends on the particular school and they all have different pre-reqs. You could research them and also apply to them along with applying to an LPN or traditional RN program. I also have a previous degree in biology and went back for nursing. I did an accelerated ADN program at Lansing Community College and was finished in 13 months. I chose to do that over an accelerated BSN program because it was much much cheaper and I was able to keep working while doing it.

I would just check out all of your options and apply to a couple of schools.

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She told me that it wasn't very competitive, and that you have to maintain a 3.0 GPA for your pre-reqs. She's going to Oakland University this fall.

I read that you're a bit north from OU, but I would check out colleges around you. A lot of schools have nursing sessions. The schools websites also post information about nursing usually. So you could always call and ask if you're too impatient for the information sessions (like me!).

I understand how the cost can hold you back from major universities. They are pretty expensive. My friend is taking her pre-reqs at the local CC then doing the accelerated BSN at OU.

You could always look into financial aid, hospitals nearby that reimburse tuition on hiring (I've only heard of that being done a few times, and I don't know any colleges that do that), or maybe you could become a CNA while you're doing your pre-reqs and maybe the hospital you're employed as a CNA with will hire you/pay for tuition. I feel like there are so many options with money! :)

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Which accelerated BSN programs are you looking at? Grand Valley, MSU, U of M, Wayne State, and a few other schools offer accelerated BSN programs. Also I see you are in southwest MI so I'm not sure how far from the border you are but IUSB in South Bend has an accelerated BSN program. How competitive they are depends on the particular school and they all have different pre-reqs. You could research them and also apply to them along with applying to an LPN or traditional RN program. I also have a previous degree in biology and went back for nursing. I did an accelerated ADN program at Lansing Community College and was finished in 13 months. I chose to do that over an accelerated BSN program because it was much much cheaper and I was able to keep working while doing it.

I would just check out all of your options and apply to a couple of schools.

AnnaN5

I was looking into the BSN at GVSU.. Like yourself, the cost of the acellerated BSN program is holding me back, along with the possibility that I would not get in due to the competitiveness. I did contact their acellerated BSN director and was told that last fall 48 2nd degree students applied and 24 were accepted. Normally I would think that 50% chance is pretty good, knowing that I can work hard and have gotten good grades during my BA degree. However, I would now be in a pool with other 2nd degree students who are either as smart as (or smarter) than I. Most of my credits are English related so the idea of taking Inorganic Chemistry as one of my competing classes makes me VERY nervous. I would hate to go through the year of pre-reqs, then not get accepted. What a let down that would be.

Can you tell me how you liked the acellerated ADN course you took at LCC? You said you were able to work while taking this? How many days a week did you have to meet? Was the 13 months of classes AFTER you completed your pre-reqs? Are you enjoying your job as an RN? Do you see LPN's being used much at your work? Thanks again...

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Specializes in AGNP.
AnnaN5

I was looking into the BSN at GVSU.. Like yourself, the cost of the acellerated BSN program is holding me back, along with the possibility that I would not get in due to the competitiveness. I did contact their acellerated BSN director and was told that last fall 48 2nd degree students applied and 24 were accepted. Normally I would think that 50% chance is pretty good, knowing that I can work hard and have gotten good grades during my BA degree. However, I would now be in a pool with other 2nd degree students who are either as smart as (or smarter) than I. Most of my credits are English related so the idea of taking Inorganic Chemistry as one of my competing classes makes me VERY nervous. I would hate to go through the year of pre-reqs, then not get accepted. What a let down that would be.

Can you tell me how you liked the acellerated ADN course you took at LCC? You said you were able to work while taking this? How many days a week did you have to meet? Was the 13 months of classes AFTER you completed your pre-reqs? Are you enjoying your job as an RN? Do you see LPN's being used much at your work? Thanks again...

I love the accelerated program at LCC. I was part of the very first group so there were a few kinks to work out but their 3rd group is starting in September so it should be getting smoother. I started mid-March 2007 and graduated May 2008, the program now starts mid September and you graduate in December the following year. You only take the nursing courses during this time, you have to have all of your pre-reqs complete. There are not a ton of pre-reqs, here is the info: http://www.lcc.edu/nursing/nursing/accelerated/nurs_advising_guide_accelerated_f09-final.pdf

I worked about 20 hours a week while doing the program, I would say the majority of the students in my class did eventhough they advise against it. You have clinical 2 days a week and then various labs & lecture time mixed in. Alot of our lecture time was in hybrid format so we just met for exams. Some people did not like listening to lectures online but I enjoyed it since you could do it anytime of day.

I have only been working since May but I have really enjoyed it so far. I moved to the Kalamazoo area after graduation and I do not see many LPNs used in the hospital setting, they seem to be used most in doctors offices & nursing homes.

Oh and I just wanted to add that midway through the program you are eligible to sit for the LPN NCLEX. So for the students starting in September they can sit for the exam in May. You only have 6 more months to go until graduation but it is a good opportunity to possibly start working somewhere or just get a feel for sitting for the boards.

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Specializes in OR Peri Operative.

I'm graduating from a LPN program next month and me and a few friends were just talking today about LCC, it is far from me but I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get my ADN. Do you know anyone who has done the bridge program? I had taken all my RN pre-req's at the school I am attending now(but the wait it too long), so I probably wont need to take much more pre-req's, if any.

But if you could give me some insight I would appreciate it. I have looked on their website but just like to hear perosnal stories as well.

TIA :)

I love the accelerated program at LCC. I was part of the very first group so there were a few kinks to work out but their 3rd group is starting in September so it should be getting smoother. I started mid-March 2007 and graduated May 2008, the program now starts mid September and you graduate in December the following year. You only take the nursing courses during this time, you have to have all of your pre-reqs complete. There are not a ton of pre-reqs, here is the info: http://www.lcc.edu/nursing/nursing/accelerated/nurs_advising_guide_accelerated_f09-final.pdf

I worked about 20 hours a week while doing the program, I would say the majority of the students in my class did eventhough they advise against it. You have clinical 2 days a week and then various labs & lecture time mixed in. Alot of our lecture time was in hybrid format so we just met for exams. Some people did not like listening to lectures online but I enjoyed it since you could do it anytime of day.

I have only been working since May but I have really enjoyed it so far. I moved to the Kalamazoo area after graduation and I do not see many LPNs used in the hospital setting, they seem to be used most in doctors offices & nursing homes.

Oh and I just wanted to add that midway through the program you are eligible to sit for the LPN NCLEX. So for the students starting in September they can sit for the exam in May. You only have 6 more months to go until graduation but it is a good opportunity to possibly start working somewhere or just get a feel for sitting for the boards.

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