on my way to RN.....but now my employer through a monkey wrench in

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I have two more science classes to take until I can apply to the RN program at my CC(start Jan. 2017). We are building a new building where they are going to hire an LPN to run Pain management, my employer has offered me that position....the catch is, he only wants an LPN not an RN.

I checked the BON just to see(I kind of already knew the answer) if I could sit for the LPN license after a certain amount of time in clinical, NOPE.

So now I am contemplating on either, finishing up my pre-reqs and applying at an LPN program(my CC does not offer this) and then go on the articulation LPN track or just say thanks but no thanks and continue on the RN path.

The biggest benefit if I would do the LPN is experience in clinical

what do you think??

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Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.

When do you anticipate that the pain unit will open and the supervisory job will actually be available? It sounds to me like that could be a few years down the road.

I don't mean to be a naysayer. You may have an extraordinarily good relationship with your employer and an excellent reputation that has prompted them to offer you this opportunity. But an awful lot can change in a few years. I would not take the job offer as a "given" until the unit exists, your education is complete and you receive a proposal in writing.

Until that happens, please do what is best for you personally, and your family. Good luck to you.

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Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.
You may have an extraordinarily good relationship with your employer and an excellent reputation that has prompted them to offer you this opportunity. But an awful lot can change in a few years. I would not take the job offer as a "given" until the unit exists, your education is complete and you receive a proposal in writing.

This. At the current time, the job is only a possibility. What happens if the facility runs into financial problems and chooses not to complete the building on time or chooses to abandon that particular type of unit?

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If not am immediate opening and it's yours in 6-8 month's continue with the RN route much better job options. Myself I am an EMT doing the ladder to LPN to RN to MSN...but will get there hopefully time will tell. Good luck if you can skip a step do it for time, money, and better opportunities.

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I would imagine they only want an LPN because they pay them less then RNs. I would continue with your plan. Pre-reqs expire and then you would have to start all over.

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Specializes in ICU.

I'm kind of wondering why in a pain clinic would he only want a LPN? I would not accept. First it sounds kind of fishy to me. Second, I agree with the PP that it is only to pay less money. And by having you already as an employee who presumably makes less than a LPN, he probably figures he can offer you less. Third, the career ladder for a LPN is shorter than a RN. It's going to be worth your time to get your RN. You couldn't apply for a Jan 2016 start date? If you only have 2 sciences left, get them done this fall. Or try for a fall 2016 start date. That will get you going faster.

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Unless you plan to stay with this employer the rest of your working life, get your RN.

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Thanks everyone--I assume also that he only wants to hire an Lpn because of the pay, I don't think that sounds "fishy" he's just a business man and the doctors all agreed that they don't need an RN(not sure why).

I only have two sciences but I wouldnt want to chance by straight a's by doing them both in one semester. the next opening for the RN program would be July 2016 for a start in jan. 2017, it seems so far, but time has been flying

thanks everyone for your thoughts

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

You may want to make sure that the 'powers that be' are familiar with the scope of practice restrictions on LPN vs. RN. The job description will need to coincide in order to avoid problems.

Agree with PPs - you need to do what is best for YOU, not your bottom-line driven employer.

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Specializes in ICU.
Thanks everyone--I assume also that he only wants to hire an Lpn because of the pay, I don't think that sounds "fishy" he's just a business man and the doctors all agreed that they don't need an RN(not sure why).

I only have two sciences but I wouldnt want to chance by straight a's by doing them both in one semester. the next opening for the RN program would be July 2016 for a start in jan. 2017, it seems so far, but time has been flying

thanks everyone for your thoughts

I'm not trying to bash you or your employer, but I agree with HOU TX, the scope of practice on narcotics is going to be very different between a LPN and RN. That's the reason I said that.

My other point is why not take the 2 sciences together? Especially if you have no other classes to take. Don't let people scare you on that. My first semester back in 15 years I took 5 classes. Two of them were science classes. I took Micro, A&P II, Algebra I, English Comp, and a Student Success class. I was also going through my divorce and adjusting to life as a single mom. It was crazy, but I got it done with 4 As and 1 B. It is really not as big of a deal as people make it.

Your problem is going to be by taking one class at a time you are going to be overwhelmed in nursing school. It will eat you up. Because now not only will you not be taking one class at a time, you will be introduced to a whole new method of thinking and test taking. I never advise someone to take one class at a time. This way they can kind of get used to juggling more than one class at once. Just doing it to get the As to get a 4.0 for the program to get in does you absolutely no good if once your in there you fail miserably. And sit there and realize after the first couple of weeks that you can't juggle it and have no time management skills. I've seen it happen. People are all proud of all their As, and to a certain extent they should be, but I feel like well you should of if it's the only class you had to focus on. And then in nursing school when it's not doing complete memorization anymore and you need a 93 instead of a 90 to get an A and a 75 is considered failing, these people become their own worst enemy.

And like I said in the beginning, I'm not bashing you. Everyone has a different path in life, but if this is what you want, you need to push yourself. You don't want nursing school to be a bigger shock to the system than it has to be.

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I have my answer RN all the way...but I wanted to clarify our pain management dept., it is for injections into the spine, only one type of medicine.. as far as narcotics, the Dr makes those decisions. thanks everyone

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heathermaizey--"My other point is why not take the 2 sciences together? Especially if you have no other classes to take. Don't let people scare you on that. My first semester back in 15 years I took 5 classes. Two of them were science classes. I took Micro, A&P II, Algebra I, English Comp, and a Student Success class. I was also going through my divorce and adjusting to life as a single mom. It was crazy, but I got it done with 4 As and 1 B. It is really not as big of a deal as people make it."

that just got me all in a panic just by reading it, lol! I will consider..thanks again

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