Which one should I go for in your honest opinion LVN or RN Houston Area?

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Apr 10, 2012

We're currently experiencing a surplus of new grads in the Houston area - just like most major US cities. In this 'buyer's market', employers have raised the bar as far as hiring goes. Most urban hospitals have made drastic cuts to the number of new RN grads they are hiring. In many instances, they are only bringing in new grads by way of an internship program that is open only to BSN grads. Opportunities for LVNs in acute care are becoming very limited & being phased out for the most part. Houston area Community based hospitals are more 'ADN friendly' but they have very limited opportunities for LVNs. Home Care, LTACs and LTC are still LVN-friendly. Sorry but I don't have any accurate info on salaries in those settings.

It's very difficult to predict what is going to happen in the near future, let alone 2-3 years from now. You may want to extend your inquiry and options into rural areas or smaller towns.

TeleNurse2010 · Apr 14, 2012

I have started taking college courses but I have yet to apply to a nursing program because the majority of RN program's are pretty difficult to get into. I was thinking of going to the LVN program first then bridging over to the RN. Would I be wasting time with the LVN (I have seen by people on AllNurses having issue obtaining a RN position let alone an LVN position)? What are some of your experience and If you are an LVN what is you hourly earning if you don't mind stating it. How long did it take you to find a position? What hospital, home health agency,etc that hired you? I really would appreciate any info Thanks in advance.

I'm not in Texas, but I now work for a LTAC that has facilities all over the U.S., including TX, and they are phasing out LVN/LPNs. In my area, they have required all LPNs to begin school for the RN and I believe by 2014 all nurses have to be RNs. They have since stopped hiring LPNs. I don't know what's happening in the facilities in other areas of the country, but I have to believe that this will be across the board. In my opinion, you should go for the RN, as your options will be very limited with the LVN.

caliotter3 · Apr 14, 2012

I would look at the situation in terms of your overall goals. Of course, it is best for one's career to obtain a BSN from the beginning. However, in many cases, a person will go the LPN/LVN route in order to facilitate entry to an RN program or to provide a means to obtain employment while in school. An LVN license would also be beneficial as a 'pause out' point in case problems are encountered that prevent continuing in school. Important to beware of getting too settled in the LVN role and putting off continuing the pursuit of the RN. You run the risk of never returning. Once the decision to pursue nursing is made, I would not let the job market drive my decisions. If one does this, they might be persuaded to make a decision that is not in their best interest, when there might have been viable options.