What is a better field to go into?

[MariHer20]

As of now, I have been a CNA for over a year and quickly realizing that this is a dead end job. I personally don't seeing my self advancing at my job and personally it's a little depressing. A lot of the CNAs around me have been looking into becoming LPNs and that seems to be the trend around there, but personally i'm having doubts about following the trends. I've doing some research and just find it hard to come to a decision. So far I've narrowed it down to Registered Respiratory Therapist, Surgical Technologist, or a LPN. (Notice LPN is last). I've looked at the % of jobs available for these and not a lot of hospitals are looking for these titles. Can someone possibly point me in the right direction? Can I get some advice on which one I should choose?

[Double-Helix, BSN, RN]

Given your experience as a CNA, would you not consider an ADN/RN as well? That will give you more job options than an LPN in the short term and an easier bridge to a bachelors degree later on. Respiratory therapists have reasonable career potential, though many hospital systems are requiring an associate's degree (with a preference for bachelor degrees) for these jobs. If you choose to become a Surgical Tech, I don't see your potential for advancement to be that much greater than as a CNA, and you're limited to surgical areas. Nursing and respiratory therapy give you a wider range of options.

[emily34812]

Most of those jobs don't have a whole lot of advancement potential. Hospitals generally don't hire LPNs anymore, but they're still very prevalent in long term care and home care environments. I don't believe surgical techs really make much more than CNAs but RRTs do. But they have to go back for at LEAST an associates now. If you're looking for a lot more money than you're currently making, I would maybe look into RN school or perhaps something like a dental hygienist?

[MariHer20]

Right now i'm in school for Nursing, but wanting to do something different for the next 4 years.

[AliNajaCat]

Wait.... what? You're in school for nursing but you want to do something else for the next four years? What does that even mean?

[MariHer20]

Yes, I did not specify that I am at the beginning of my prerequisite for a nursing program. I work as a CNA while going to school and personally I rather change jobs while in school. I've been told by a lot of my supervisors to go through a LPN program and then branch over to RN which is a way better road to take. Like I said on my post, "I don't know if I want to follow that trend that's going on at my job". So I was asking for advice, which I will be taking into consideration.

[AliNajaCat]

They;re wrong. Forget the LPN. Do a real nursing program leading to NCLEX.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I think I somewhat understand the original poster's aim: she wants to be an RN, but prefers to work her way through school by doing something other than CNA work. She is currently taking prerequisites for a nursing program.

I worked as an LPN for four years before I earned my RN license. It is important to note that the LPN role is part of the nursing model, whereas the surgical tech and respiratory tech positions fall into the medical model of care provision. If you want to be a nurse, stick to the nursing model.

Also, there is a financial aspect. My annual LPN earnings ranged from $45k to $62k during the four years I worked as one. This money enabled me to live comfortably while going to school full-time to become an RN. In addition, the LPN role entails physically easier work, while many CNAs receive low pay for backbreaking work.

Moreover, LPN-to-RN programs are abundant. Meanwhile, RT-to-RN programs and ST-to-RN programs are hard to find.

[Dlansey]

Do LPN if you want to be a RN at the end goal.

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

If you want to be a nurse, get your RN. But it doesn't make sense to go to school to become an RRT or surgical tech when you just want a different job to work at while you go to school. Those aren't quick programs. If you don't want to work as a CNA, then work somewhere else doing anything else.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

RN is probably the one that the hospitals hire the most for and RNs is probably the most common job the hospital hires for even if you exclude administrators who are licensed as an RN. LPNs are still hired but they are uncommon now, especially with the splurge of RN schools. They are more common in rural areas. I know one ER has hired LPNs. Psych hires LPNs still. Nursing homes hire a lot of LPNs. Doctor offices will usually cross post medical assistant or LPN. Some offices hire new graduate LPNs before they are licensed. Some hospitals make them "advanced nursing assistants" and lump them in with nursing students.

Surgical techs in my area make the same as LPNs usually. The surgical techs are fewer in number than RNs once again. There are more and more freestanding surgical centers opening up so that is a huge plus. If you live near a school that pumps them out every semester, you will have fierce competition for a job.

RRT have the same issue. In nursing homes, breathing treatments are given by LPNs. Usually in the hospitals I work, there are about 2-6 RTs. Very rural hospital only has 1 but they don't admit vents and rarely bipaps. This is probably the more harder job to work in. I know one hospital that is in the system has the best staffing and is nationally known for RTs but even then, it's like 1 for every department but I think some of the med-surgs share. It is still far fewer than the RNs although probably out number the LPN positions in hospitals. System-wide, the LPNs probably outnumber the RTs because of the doctor offices.