To be or not to be, LPN?

[HM3Corpsman]

Happy New year to all.

I am debating on being an LPN. I have 5 years Military experience as a medic and EMT.

but that was 15 years ago in Pearl Harbor. I'm concerned I will not like the medical field here in Florida if I get back into it. Especially reading all those Nursemares on here and negative cartoons.

little bit of history if you want to know:

I am a 41 y/o caucasian male, who had prior military experience as a Corpsman and EMT in the Navy. None of that experience or training was able to be translated into the civilian world. I tried to go to college back in 2000 but Life got tough and I just got a job as a graphic artist and illustrator. Fast forward to now!, I am so frustrated with myself because I just don't like any job. I don't know which direction to go.

Please help...

-Sam

[RegularNurse]

Become an RN. LPN/LVN is not the nursing degree to get for the best career options.

Employers love hiring vet nurses, you will be fine.

[Scottishtape]

I'm an LPN in Florida. I've never had a problem getting a job down here, and the only real complaint I have is the disrespect I've gotten from some of the RNs I've worked with because I am an LPN. You don't get that with everyone though, so it shouldn't be a deciding factor.

You should look into nursing areas that interest you. That is what will guide you on which route you should take. There are a lot of options for LPNs here, including hospital work as well, contrary to popular opinion.

Most of the people in my bridge program are LPNs at the major hospital systems, working as nurses, not techs. One of them even works as an ICU nurse.

Your best bet is to research, research, research before you make a decision so you won't find yourself unhappy with another career.

Good luck!

[Aunt Slappy]

The college I got my LPN from had an accelerated program for military medics to become LPNs in five months. Maybe see if there is something like that near you.

I get tired of the "just go RN" comments. That's not right for everyone for myriad reasons. It can be regional as to whether you can get jobs, but where I live LPNs are widely utilized and there's no shortage of work. Also, as baby boomer nurses retire, many places that got rid of LPNs will be forced to reevaluate their usefulness to fill gaps.

[Buyer beware, BSN]

Hello Doc,

Go for whatever will give you the most for your educational dollar. Usually that's becoming an RN. Also be wary of the crooks who would love to take your GI benefits. Florida abounds in them.

Went to school with a corpsman years ago. He got his letter of recommendation from General P.X. Kelly. If anyone cares who he is go to Wiki and look him up. Just his photo alone should convey "cut it out" to anyone who needs an emergency ass kicking.

In your case if you are anything like Phil was, in going back to school, and because of your background, you will bring a lot to the table and should fulfill the need for doing something of consequence in this life. Some call it self-actualization. I hear that in your post.

That's if, of course, you can stand the the incessant chatter over the latest boyfriend problems and cell phone upgrade.

But look at it this way, you're still pretty young relativly speaking and if you put in 20 years by the time you get sick of the whole thing you'll be ready to retire. Win/Win.

[Mary C, MSN, RN, APRN, CNM]

I would go directly for RN, but if you do go the LPN route, familiarize yourself with the process. You can always go back for your RN. Just make sure the school is reputable!

How to Become a LPN

[NurseNick4994]

I went for the LPN route because I really had no desire to ever work in a hospital (I volunteered in one for a year prior to graduating from high school and getting my CNA) and it was a lot quicker than the RN program here (the wait list was way too long while the LPN program had no wait list at all). I also really enjoyed bedside nursing, and, at least in the LTC I'm in now, if you go on to get your RN they immediately want you to transfer into a charge nurse position. But, to be honest, SNFs are getting a lot more complex. For example, we have people on ventilators, people getting IV antibiotics (and a myriad of other IV medications that I hang), people with PICC lines, wound vacs, complex wounds, g-tubes, and it's almost like working in a low-grade hospital most of the time.

My advice would be, decide what type of setting you want to work in, and go from there, and if you get your LPN make sure you get your IV certification because, at least where I live, that comes with an increase in hourly pay. Good luck!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

Some state boards of nursing would grant the original poster licensure as an LPN/LVN solely based on his training as a medic/corpsman in the military (no education necessary). The California BVNPT is one of these boards of nursing.