Good evening, my name is Jasmine. I am looking to do a career change and I am looking into nursing. I have always worked I the medical field but on the administration side.
I have do everything surgery scheduling, authorization, and insurance verification for physicians and hospital settings. I'm just tired of sitting behind a desk.
I have looked into Fortis College LPN program here in Arizona, because there is no wait list but the price is steep. I gave also looked into Gateways LPN program which is awesome and more financial stable for me. Being patient would be a key word for me which is something that I lack. Eventually I would love to go for RN, but I feel like I will never get there being a single mother and having to work has been my life and I feel like I will have to give up everything to become a nurse.
I have been wanting to do nursing for quite some time now and I would like to accomplish this. Any insight on either program or what I should do.
I just graduated RN school and I was a LPN for 4 years before going back to school. I advise you to do what works best for yourself. As a LPN you will mainly work in nursing homes and doctors offices. Finding work will not be hard to find as a LPN at all. I'd use it as a stepping stone to getting my RN if you're willing to go back to school again. Also you can enroll in LPN to RN program and get your RN in a year and it's easier to get accepted this way vs going straight thru the RN program as a newbie which is 2 years. But if you don't want to go back to school then go for your RN but I'll let you know it can be very competitive depending on your location. If you have any questions let me know. Good luck!
You cannot count on getting credit for your LPN courses, as they are not equivalent to RN ones, so you will waste time and $$ when you go back.
Wrong. LPNs educated at Gateway can apply for advanced placement into the 3rd block of the RN program at any Maricopa County Community College once all prereqs are met. Don't go around telling people things that are false and discouraging them.
This dilemma depends heavily on your location. And the culture of nursing in your area. I live in a rural area where it is basically impossible for a seasoned LPN to get a job in any location. They are not utilized at all in the hospital where I am employed. It is unfortunate, but in certain areas the LPN position is being phased out. I would recommend contacting unit managers of areas that you are interested in, to see if LPN's are hireable. Good luck!
Thank you for the clarification. I went up to gateway today, did you go to the info session before you applied?
I applied before they started requiring that. I think you have to go to one now.
This dilemma depends heavily on your location. And the culture of nursing in your area. I live in a rural area where it is basically impossible for a seasoned LPN to get a job in any location. They are not utilized at all in the hospital where I am employed. It is unfortunate, but in certain areas the LPN position is being phased out. I would recommend contacting unit managers of areas that you are interested in, to see if LPN's are hireable. Good luck!
LPNs are heavily utilized in Arizona. Not in hospitals but in almost every other health care setting. Do an Indeed search for LPN jobs. It's still a viable career step here.
Thank you . I have done an indeed search, I have looking at school nurses due to being off on certain days with my son since he is school age now. I am also interested in corrections but don't know about scheduling since it is a jail or prison. I know here in az, some correction lpns, are making about 25 to 30 per hour.
That's what I heard too, from someone who personally knows a LPN employed in corrections. She's working at a state prison. I could learn to put up with a lot for $26 an hour, which is what I was told this brand new LPN is making.
I was an LPN for 10 years and watched dream jobs fly by due to not being an RN I went back to school obtained my RN and I am a travel nurse in a peds unit and I have only one regret...I didn't get my RN earlier in life. If you can go for the RN particularly the BSN. You will find more opportunities and more rewards. Good luck!!
I do plan to get Rn I see this as being more of a financial way for me to attend school this way . These rn, programs are way expensive and I will just have to take it one step at a time.
tattooednurse26
40 Posts
I just graduated RN school and I was a LPN for 4 years before going back to school. I advise you to do what works best for yourself. As a LPN you will mainly work in nursing homes and doctors offices. Finding work will not be hard to find as a LPN at all. I'd use it as a stepping stone to getting my RN if you're willing to go back to school again. Also you can enroll in LPN to RN program and get your RN in a year and it's easier to get accepted this way vs going straight thru the RN program as a newbie which is 2 years. But if you don't want to go back to school then go for your RN but I'll let you know it can be very competitive depending on your location. If you have any questions let me know. Good luck!