What Job Opportunities are available for LPNs?

garnetgirl29, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2012

It really depends on your area. Where I am, NC, hospitals do not hire LPN's. So options are long term care, home care, clinics, Dr. Offices, etc. I did find one hospital here that will hire and train LPN's as surgical techs.

peachshan, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2012

I'm in GA. I don't have to work in the hospital starting off. I am ready to just get my foot in the door and become a nurse. I had been reading that they would start requiring everyone have a BSN and eventually I would do that. However, I would have to work to make sure the income is still coming in while I go to school.

garnetgirl29, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2012

That is a rumor that's been circulating for years, but I don't know how true it is. It is a good idea to get your BSN either way though. The pay isn't much different from ADN to BSN, but there are some specialties that require BSN. So, you would have more opportunitiess. I'm in LPN school now, but I do plan to get my BSN and possibly even my MSN. That's what I love about nursing...the sky is the limit. If you're not happy with the nursing job you have, find another specialty! If you're willing to get the education & certifications, there are a lot of opportunities. I've heard that LPN's can get certifications as lactation aids, which I think would be an awesome career.

When I finish the LPN program at my community college, I'm going to apply to their LPN-ADN bridge program. It's one year, plus a semester or two of pre-req's. Then I'll complete the pre-req's for BSN and transfer to a university for ADN-BSN. Wanna do as much as possible at the community college cuz it's cheaper that way. Check your state's Board of Nursing website for approved schools. You wanna be sure to find one that accredited and in good standing so you won't have to worry about your classes not transferring.

By the way...if you need to take the TEAS to apply, be sure you know your anatomy & brush up on algebra. I'd recommend some study packets. My program didn't require it for LPN, but it is required for our ADN and LPN-ADN. A classmate took it last week and failed. So, I'll look into some study materials before I sign up!

Good luck!!

peachshan, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2012

The school that I am considering for the LPN program does require the TEAS and I have the study manual. I am taking Anatomy 1 this summer.

I was reading on another board and there was some discouragement about pursuing the LPN program first. Does anyone know why?

garnetgirl29, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2012

Some people think it's a waste of time. I chose to do LPN first because 1.)I have kids to support & need to work a.s.a.p. and 2.) I am a hands on learner and the LPN program here has more clinical hours than the RN program. 3.) I didn't have to become a CNA first. 4.) I didn't have all the pre-req's finished for RN, so I would have had to wait another year to start...if accepted (and take the CNA course)

Also, the RN bridge program is designed for you to be working as an LPN while in the program.

In the long run, it can take longer to get your ADN if you do LPN first. LPN is one year + pre-req's and the bridge program is 1 year +pre-req's. ADN is 2 yrs + pre-req's. I'll finish LPN school next August, then I need to take Anatomy 2, Microbiology, an English & a humanities class before I can apply to the bridge program. There are 2 semesters off between the programs, so I'm hoping to do those classes the first semester after LPN, then apply. If I don't get in right away, I'll just work a year and apply again next round. I've already taken the required phsycology classes, computer class, and study skills class. I had hoped to take a class or two my last semester since we only have NUR 103 then. But, Pell won't be covering the summer semester, so it's all I can do to pay for this class. Oh well. It is what it is.

peachshan, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2012

Some people think it's a waste of time. I chose to do LPN first because 1.)I have kids to support & need to work a.s.a.p. and 2.) I am a hands on learner and the LPN program here has more clinical hours than the RN program. 3.) I didn't have to become a CNA first. 4.) I didn't have all the pre-req's finished for RN, so I would have had to wait another year to start...if accepted (and take the CNA course)
Also, the RN bridge program is designed for you to be working as an LPN while in the program.
In the long run, it can take longer to get your ADN if you do LPN first. LPN is one year + pre-req's and the bridge program is 1 year +pre-req's. ADN is 2 yrs + pre-req's. I'll finish LPN school next August, then I need to take Anatomy 2, Microbiology, an English & a humanities class before I can apply to the bridge program. There are 2 semesters off between the programs, so I'm hoping to do those classes the first semester after LPN, then apply. If I don't get in right away, I'll just work a year and apply again next round. I've already taken the required phsycology classes, computer class, and study skills class. I had hoped to take a class or two my last semester since we only have NUR 103 then. But, Pell won't be covering the summer semester, so it's all I can do to pay for this class. Oh well. It is what it is.

I am in the same boat due to I have a son and a husband. I work now as a teacher and the two incomes has helped with daycare and other financial responsibility. Plus I don't know how much financial aid I would be awarded because I have a bachelors and some graduate classes that I took to get my certification in teaching, so I at least if I have LPN job then hopefully I can pay for school in case financial aid runs out. Decisions, Decisions. Thank you so much for your advice and information!

caregiver1977 · Jan 28, 2012

In my school district (located in cental Mississippi) there is a public school that specializes in educating special needs/health fragile children. Most of the children there are healthy, but many there are seriously autistic, have spinal cord injuries, wheelchair bound, etc. Many of these children have a medical asst, CNA, or LPN that accompany them throughout the day. These health professionals often help with toileting, feeding, and transporting the student around the school. They work for a home health agency that has a contract with the school district.

Maybe you would like to do something like that?

peachshan, BSN, RN · Jan 28, 2012

In my school district (located in cental Mississippi) there is a public school that specializes in educating special needs/health fragile children. Most of the children there are healthy, but many there are seriously autistic, have spinal cord injuries, wheelchair bound, etc. Many of these children have a medical asst, CNA, or LPN that accompany them throughout the day. These health professionals often help with toileting, feeding, and transporting the student around the school. They work for a home health agency that has a contract with the school district. Maybe you would like to do something like that?

I am actually doing that as a special ed nurse. My students are classified as severe and profound and they have to be fed,changed, etc. I wouldn't mind doing that actually!

karamarie91 · Jan 29, 2012

I live in GA and work in a nursing home(I'm about to start a hospital job soon, however). They seem to be phasing LPN's out of the hospitals here because I hardly see them in hospitals and if I do they have been there for years before the trend started. The nursing home I work at employs mostly LPN's and CNA's, using one RN per shift as a supervisor. So, nursing homes might be the best bet. Dialysis clinics may be good too.

peachshan, BSN, RN · Jan 30, 2012

I live in GA and work in a nursing home(I'm about to start a hospital job soon, however). They seem to be phasing LPN's out of the hospitals here because I hardly see them in hospitals and if I do they have been there for years before the trend started. The nursing home I work at employs mostly LPN's and CNA's, using one RN per shift as a supervisor. So, nursing homes might be the best bet. Dialysis clinics may be good too.

Are home health agencies hiring LPNs in GA?

karamarie91 · Jan 30, 2012

Are home health agencies hiring LPNs in GA?

yes, they do! alot of them do actually... it's in nursing homes and home health agencies that I see alot of LPN's and CNA's.