The reality of my situation

U.S.A. Virginia

Published

Well, I'm 37 and will be 38 this year. I was applying to the LPN program here in Las Vegas (I know this is the VA forum, bear with me). I'd be done in May 2014. I was going to take my NCLEX-PN in Virginia after relocating with my gf and twins.

I have a CNA license in Virginia. My gf would be working soon as well, not worried about that at all.

Here's the problem. I may not get accepted into LPN school. My options at that point is:

1) Maintain my CNA position at the hospital, take the 5 remaining courses between Summer 2013 & Spring 2014 and apply to a BSN program starting Spring 2015.

2) Take a Pharmacy Tech course over Fall 2013-Spring 2014 while doing the 5 prerequisites I have remaining.

My thing is I make $15/hr as a CNA here in Nevada. I don't think I'll make that in Virginia. I also don't know the job market for Pharmacy Techs there either. Here, money-wise, it's a lateral position in comparison to CNA's. If I don't get into the LPN program I'd much rather do option 1.

I'm trying to make as much money as I can until I get my BSN. Going from a state with no state tax making $15/hr to one that has state tax and making less worries me. We have to move next May regardless. So I'm going to be in Virginia summer 2014. As it stands now, I have a CNA license here and there (I endorsed it from Nevada).

What's my best option for income between Summer 2014 & my BSN? Should I even turn down the LPN program? I only want to be a maximum provider and help take care of our twins. What do I do?

Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

You don't say where in Virginia you will be moving to. It might make a big difference. For example, Northern Virginia (around Washington, DC) is very different from Southwest Virginia. The availabilty of educational programs in different regions of the state can dramatically effect the local job market.

Before you make any final decisions, I think you should check out the specific job market where you will moving. What people are reporting here depends on where in Virginia they live. The region you move to may have very different conditions. It's a very diverse state.

I am looking in the Chesapeake, VA area.

That is where I live, the Chesapeake, Suffolk, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach area.

Yes, we're moving to the area. There are dwindling opportunities for her here. More in the Chesapeake area. I'd much prefer to be an LPN moving there but if I can't then the combination of CNA & Phlebotomist. I know of only two main hospitals in the area, Bon Secours & Sentara. They look like they're paying CNA's & PCT's $10-$11/hr starting. I have no idea what a phlebotomist make in their hospitals. But why not have the additional skills moving to a new area? Maybe with the 4 years experience as a CNA with the (projected) six months phlebotomy experience I can get a position that pays ok enough to help support my twins while going through a BSN program. That's really all I ask. I know it's unrealistic to make $20/hr as a CNA in the area.

Fortunately we have a guaranteed place to live for at least a year when we get there. Still need to provide for the babies, save for our own place and gather tuition for school. So it stands to reason that I need to do what pays me the most. CNA, PCT, Phlebotomist or (Lord I hope I get in ) LPN.

I'm trying to cultivate as many options as I can and make the best decision. College of Southern Nevada has only a few 1-2 semester programs that I can do to help us out when we get there. EMT-Basic to Intermediate, LPN, Phlebotomy or Mental Health Tech.

Will you be doing a LPN program here in VA?

No. I was hoping to get in here and take the NCLEX-PN there when we arrive.

Its hard but you could pick up a CNA job working nights and take classes. You'll make more on nights.

If I were in your shoes I would go with getting a BSN or at least your ASN and forget about getting an LPN license. LPN in hospitals are becoming rarer and rarer. To increase your marketability I'd go for your RN

I'm trying to do what makes me the most money until I get my BSN.

Specializes in ICU.

The thing about making the most money until you get your BSN... you'll make more money working as a CNA than being unemployed with a LPN license. That's something to keep in mind. It is very hard to get hired as a LPN these days, and it's even a little challenging as an ADN. You don't want to make yourself too overqualified to find a job as a CNA; I'm not sure how many places would hire a CNA with a LPN license if it came down to not being able to find a job as a LPN. Just some food for thought.

In this part of VA there are tons of LPN jobs, granted you won't be working in labor and delivery or the NICU, but I get job postings to my email box daily.

Specializes in LTC, Education, Management, QAPI.

I know this thread hasn't been posted on in a few months, but the reality is that the pay here is not as good as it is in other places. I stay in Virginia because A: Family and B: Beautiful state. I can run from the beach to the city to the country. It's like going from myrtle beach to shenandoah to kansas in an hour. I have grown up in hampton roads my whole life (norfolk, chesapeake, va beach) and will find it hard to leave when I do. As for pay, it depends on your facility type as well. IN long term care, a CNA will make 9-13/hr depending on experiences. LPN's (and usually there is a small shift differential on top of these numbers) make 15-18. RN's can start as low as 19-23 depending on the type of facility. I have seen hospitals offer 20 and Long Term Care offer 23. The differential in the hospital may be 3-5 or more per hour and at the nursing home 1-2 per hour, so it all leads out. I'll tell you what I did, I took a diploma RN program first to get my RN, then once I found a good paying job, went back for my BSN. It was the shortest way to an RN and got the NCLEX out of the way. I'm in control of hiring and pay for my facility and am linked quite well in the area, so email me if you would like more info.. [email protected]

First, I wish you the best. I noticed that you stated that you endorsed in Nevada. Are you stating that you did not actually take a CNA class? Or that you did? I look forward to your response, because, it will mean a huge difference between the two answers what your next move should be.

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