Thinking of LVN School

[mommyof4girls]

I am thinking of going to school to become an LVN. My ultimate goal is to be an RN but right now is not the time because I have 4 little girls. So I would like to get started by becoming an LVN. I was wondering if it would be better to go through the program through a community college, private institution, or tech school? In San Antonio, the choices are St. Phillips (community college), Galen Health Institute (Private), or Texas Careers (I'm guessing a tech school). If anyone has been through the program at any of these places please let me know how they were. Also, can an LVN work in any floor of a hospital or only certain ones or do LVN's only work in nursing homes? Do doctor's offices hire LVN's? Since I was a little girl I have wanted to be a RN in the NICU. Any help making my decision on which school would be great.

Thanks

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Hi, there! I'm an LVN in the DFW area.

Most Texas hospitals still hire LVNs, but only on certain units such as med-surg, psych, and outpatient clinics owned by the specific hospital system. LVNs are virtually never hired onto critical care units in this area, because our licensure grants us the privilege to work with stable patients who have predictable outcomes. ICU patients, on the other hand, are not stable. As an LVN, it is highly unlikely that you'll find a NICU position, since that is considered critical care. However, you may find a postpartum job somewhere.

In DFW, LVNs can find jobs in doctors' offices and clinics, albeit at very low pay rates. Nursing homes pay us well, so that's why many LVNs in this area gravitate toward LTC.