What can an LPN do besides LTC?

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Jan 10, 2009

Work in a health clinic, do home care, work at a drug rehab, work in ambulatory hospital clinic., work for insurance companies.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2009

My mother was an LPN who worked in the ICU and CCU for years. I worked in a VA hospital that had a lot of LPNs working for them. We had LPNs on our IV team that started IVs, drew blood and did IV dressing changes. Several hospitals that I worked in over the years had LPNs working in their labs who did special procedures for them as well as had LPNs in outpatient surgery or other outpatient areas. I saw many doctors over the years lure the good nurses who now work for them from the hospital staffs. Despite what you might think, not all doctors work for HMOs. There are still many who own their own practices. We had LPNs working for the medical coding company I worked for who worked as liaisons between the office coders and the doctors telling the docs where their documentation needed to be corrected or changed so we could bill and collect maximum reimbursement from insurance companies because she could speak to them in their medical language.

Because LPNs in many states can now be certified to perform IV therapy I would strongly recommend that you learn this skill if it is permitted by your state board. It will increase your job prospects. Many doctors' offices and clinics, particularly cancer treatment centers, do a lot of IV therapy and blood drawing and need qualified nurses in their offices to do these procedures.

Jules A, MSN · Jan 10, 2009

You've gotten good responses so far. It depends on the area where you live also. The best advice I'd give you as someone that got their LPN first also is to accept that LTC and physicians offices are where the biggest demand will be. If that isn't acceptable consider continuing on with your education. Hang in there.

CloudySue · Jan 11, 2009

Thanks for everyone's responses, I knew going into this that the most opportunities belonged to the RN, but this book just had me annoyed. Not one creative idea for the LPN. I'm making the switch from elementary school teacher to nurse and the LPN program was the fastest way from point A to point B without bankrupting my family. Once I'm in with a company who will help me with tuition, I'll part-time it until I get higher. I am an activity aide in a LTC facility now and I love working in geriatrics, and seriously don't mind staying with them for a while, but I'm ambitious and bore easily. I have to settle down and bide my time. Thanks, everyone!!

picurn10 · Jan 11, 2009

In my city, all the hospitals except for 2 hire LPN's on all floors except ICU. I am in LPN school in order to bridge straight to RN, but I was really excited to learn about the options other than LTC, because it's just not where my heart is. I plan to work on the peds floor of a nearby hospital during RN school.

All states are different, but in my state IV training is part of school (we just checked off last week) and we can do everything but IV push, in some hospitals we can hang blood, and really the only other thing we can't do is the initial assessment on pts and writing the care plan. But we're responsible for implementing it and doing assessments throughout the rest of the pts care. Good lucK!

NamasteNurse, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2009

I'm switching from elementary school teacher as well. When I was looking for a teaching job, I saw that many schools hire LPN's as school nurses. Just to add to your list. Keep truckin!

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Jan 13, 2009

I agree with the rest of the responses...LPN do work in schools, clinics, and etc. Most LPN's work in LTC, because LTC offers the most money. My mother has been a LPN in LTC for 4 years. She is now a new grad RN. Once she starts working at the hospital she is going to have to take a pay cut ! Yes, you read it right. She makes more as a LPN c- four years experience, then a RN with no experience.

I'm in school for my LPN now, however I do plan on returning to get my BSN or masters in nursing. I love the the fact that I'll have even more opportunities in nursing. I don't want anyone to tell me " oh, sorry we only hire RNs" . I really don't want to limit myself to LTC.

BellasMommyOBRN · Jan 14, 2009

my daughter was recently in the hospital (obviously on the peds floor :) ) and had an lpn for her nurse. there are opportunities out there you just have to look.

Ginger's Mom, MSN, RN · Jan 14, 2009

One of my LPN students got a job as school nurse, I guess it depends on the state.

ID NURSING · Jan 14, 2009

I currently am working as an MA in an Infectious Disease office, working on my LPN. My supervisor is an LPN and runs the Infectious Disease Department. So there are opportunities out there for LPNs! Good luck:)

livinlife1257 · Jan 19, 2009

In my city, all the hospitals except for 2 hire LPN's on all floors except ICU. I am in LPN school in order to bridge straight to RN, but I was really excited to learn about the options other than LTC, because it's just not where my heart is. I plan to work on the peds floor of a nearby hospital during RN school.
All states are different, but in my state IV training is part of school (we just checked off last week) and we can do everything but IV push, in some hospitals we can hang blood, and really the only other thing we can't do is the initial assessment on pts and writing the care plan. But we're responsible for implementing it and doing assessments throughout the rest of the pts care. Good lucK!

Just curious ....Where are you from ? My school also teaches IV training which has been put to use during my clinical time and as far as hospital jobs go there are a few hospital that hire but many ( Dallas / FT. Worth ) . It may help that I know a few people that work at the hospitals that do so I am crossing my fingers when my time comes that will help . Good luck !