Thinking about becoming a lpn???

**Elektra6, ASN, BSN, RN** · Jan 31, 2006

I'm a new lpn graduate and have been working for 2 months now. My school ran from May to the following July full-time with a month off in August. I currently work in a nursing home in NJ. My main duties are passing medications, doing treatments such as evaluating/changing dressings on wounds, charting, calling DR's, taking orders off charts and monitoring patients. I don't give any baths because we use CNA's to take care of our resident's basic care needs. I do help toilet/change diapers especially when our CNA's are with another resident (I don't like anyone to have to wait to go to the bathroom) The CNA's in our facility dress, wash and get up/put to sleep the residents. I do help feed residents. Starting salary for a new grad here in NJ was 17.50/hr.

Hope this helps you some.

luvmy2angels · Jan 31, 2006

I live in Pa and the LPN programs around here are 12 months full time and 18 months part time. Starting pay in a nursing home is anywhere from $17-$24/hr and hospitals are anywhere from $12.80-$17.00/hr. Nursing homes tend to pay more. Lpns in nurisng homes pass meds, do treatments, assessments, charting, orders and help out with meals if needed. Most do not do bathing as the CNAs are there. Nurses in the hospital pass meds, treatments, depending on which area you are working in you can do a lot more things like trach care, labor and delivery (although some hospitals require you to be an RN for this dept), operating rooms, ortho and rehab. I will be graduating in Feb and hopefully working at the hospital in the sub acute care unit. Good luck in your pursuit!!

needajob · Jan 31, 2006

Thanks for the help. How many hours do you usually work a week?

Also would it be best for me to take a class at a local technical college or would it be alright to take one of these online classes I keep see popping up?

Dont you have to have other basic classes in college besides just nursing? Thanks for the help

Nurseinpink · Jan 31, 2006

I'm a LPN in ID and I love it. I work in LTC and it takes a special person to work in this capacity. I was in lpn school for 11 months and my first job I was making 13.50 an hour. I've been there nearly 4 years and make almost $18.00 now. I've transitioned into the RN program and have worked at the same time. You're making the right choice to become an LPN because you're so young and you can help make a difference in someone's life and there is nothing more rewarding!!!! GO 4 IT!!!!!

LPN1974, LPN · Jan 31, 2006

Well, personally, I think you've chosen a great field. You should always be able to find a job in the medical field.

Back when I went to school it just took me 12 months to complete the training.

However, I think today, in some areas, more has been added to the program.

Check with your local schools, vo-techs or community colleges as it might be called today.

Pay also varies from area to area, state to state. I would check some newspaper want ads for an idea, and also ask your schools that you call if they can give you an idea of starting pay. I know in Arkansas, a new grad can probably get $13-14 per hour starting out, in long term care {nursing homes}. I just varies so much from area to area, state to state.

This could be your step up to an RN program, also. After you have your LPN license you can get into an LPN to RN bridge program which is easier to get into, I understand, than getting into RN right away.

Anyway, you are young, and I think you should definitely do something.

Better than flipping burgers, or working at WalMart....not that those are bad places to be, but with some training you can double your pay from McDonald's or WalMart. And let's face it.........I know we need compassionate nurses,

but my obligation to myself is a decent paycheck that pays the bills and helps further my retirement options, IN A FIELD I ENJOY. I have that as an LPN working for the State of Arkansas.

And I also want to stress to you, when you get out into the workforce, get into a job where you can reap those longterm benefits to help you in your retirement years........those years WILL come, faster than you think, so my advice is to think about that after your schooling is completed, and you're looking for work. Of course you'll want to get your feet wet in several areas, maybe in several different jobs.......just don't wait until you're 40 to think about retirement plans.

I started my job when I was 27, I am now 52, in 2 more years I will have in my 28, but will have the opportunity at 28 years to get into an advanced retirement program with the state, that will really help me, financially, when I no longer work. Just some things for you to consider.

Oh yes, you asked about what we do.....that can vary, also, but my duties include administering medications, watching for adverse/ side effects, observing patients for signs/symptoms of illnesses, we treat alot of minor emergencies where I work, head wounds, those require neuro checks, fractures....may need to be sent to the ER for further care, we do GT feedings...a button in the abdomen for nutrition, we do respiratory care treatments, we give flu and allergy injections, TB skin tests, hepatitis vaccines to our people and also to the staff. Nurses take care of sick people, or as in my job, we take care of mostly well people, who need assistance with their daily lives. Our people also take alot of medications for seizure activity and behaviour/psyche problems. Interesting job to say the least. It always has something different if you like this type of work.

Hospital work can be vastly different from my job. There are many different areas you can go into in nursing. There is a kidney dyalysis unit close to here, that takes LPNs, so you might have that as a choice where you are.

Find your specialty, and when you do, make sure you will get benefits for yourself, also, for your future. Nursing homes do not typically offer alot of long term retirement benefits, so keep that in mind, if you go into Geriatric care, which alot of nurses love. Other than Social Security you might not get a retirement option in nursing homes, unless you set up a plan yourself.

Sorry for the long post. I just feel that a person considering becoming a nurse should like taking take of sick people, but should also think ahead to what is in the future for them in the field they have chosen.

gypsyatheart · Jan 31, 2006

That's great that you've chosen the nursing field....best of luck to you. I would offer one piece of advice, however....and please, be rest assured that I mean no disrespect to LPN's.....but I think you should go directly for your RN. There are Associate Degree programs that can easily bridge to a BSN down the road, if you desire. I just think, that w/an RN degree, you have more options open to you, and, to be honest, the pay is better.

Again, no disrespect to LPN's....just my own advice, either way, good luck!

LPN1974, LPN · Jan 31, 2006

That's great that you've chosen the nursing field....best of luck to you. I would offer one piece of advice, however....and please, be rest assured that I mean no disrespect to LPN's.....but I think you should go directly for your RN. There are Associate Degree programs that can easily bridge to a BSN down the road, if you desire. I just think, that w/an RN degree, you have more options open to you, and, to be honest, the pay is better.
Again, no disrespect to LPN's....just my own advice, either way, good luck!

I'm an LPN, and no offense taken by me. I think a person should do whatever they can to help themselves, in whatever avenue is most comfortable for them. And you are right....there are some RN programs out there not any longer than an LPN program. I think the LPN programs around where I live are now up to close to 2 years, and yes, you can also get an RN in about 2 years.

LPN1974, LPN · Jan 31, 2006

Thanks for the help. How many hours do you usually work a week?
Also would it be best for me to take a class at a local technical college or would it be alright to take one of these online classes I keep see popping up?
Dont you have to have other basic classes in college besides just nursing? Thanks for the help

40 hours per week is considered fulltime, but that varies, too. Some jobs you can get a weekend option and just work 2 12hour shifts and get paid for about or close to 40 hours.

Personally, I wouldn't go online for LPN. You need alot of clinical hours. To me classroom is best.

I bet if you search online you could find web sites for your local community colleges in your area. You would find alot of info there.

needajob · Feb 1, 2006

so are there any other related classes I must take or can I just step right into a lpn class?

luvmy2angels · Feb 1, 2006

so are there any other related classes I must take or can I just step right into a lpn class?

If you are considering a college based RN, ADN or BSN program you will need quite a few college courses before entering the actual nursing program. If you choose to go for your LPN most vo-tech and community colleges offer these with no previous college credits needed. You will most likely need to pass an entrance exam to the LPN program. The one I took was call the NET test, basic math with a little algebra and reading comprehension. I don't believe you can get an LPN degree on line, i would never recommend that to anyone, simply because of all the clinical procedures that you need to learn. You definately need a lot of hands on lab experience. Once you get your LPN there are a lot on line classes to get your RN degree. But if you go for your LPN first, definately go to a real class. Best of luck to you!!

jimthorp · Feb 2, 2006

so are there any other related classes I must take or can I just step right into a lpn class?

It's not quite that easy. To even be considred for the program at my school you have to have had high school chemistry and biology with a B or better grade. You also had to have had algebra. I had to take an entrance exam which included math, biology, and english material. Next I had to take a biology assessment exam to determine if I needed college biology before taking A&P. Then for some reason that I still don't understand I had to take an algebra assessment exam even though I scored in the 99th percentile on the assessment exam. The classes required for the Practical Nursing Certificate were: Intro to sociology or modern social problems, intro to psychology, human growth and developement, human adjustment, A&P I and II, plus the three nursing classes.