Will an LVN, RN, or BSN route open up more opportunities for working outside of bedside?

[Aprilj09]

Hello, all!

After working in clerical hospital roles in multiple facilities and having an up close view of what nurses do on a daily basis, I have realized that I would DREAD working bedside in a hospital. I'm wondering, though, is it possible just to head straight to a clinic or doctor's office upon graduating? Also, is an RN or LVN more likely to work in one of these roles? Honestly, my absolute dream would be to work in a public health setting! I would love to work with underserved populations.

Basically,--and I feel bad saying this--I am looking for a relatively low-stress nursing job (although I know they're all stressful to a degree!). I've witnessed so many resuscitations (more attempted than successful), death/dying, and sudden emergencies and I am just NOT looking to have that be part of my job. I want nursing to be for me, but I'm afraid that my desires may not be reasonable or possible. I hate to put it this way, but I would strongly reconsider moving forward with nursing if it meant that this were not possible.

As I said, I feel guilty admitting all of these things, but I truly am interested in nursing because I feel great satisfaction from helping others, I'm a natural advocate, I keep calm under pressure, and I love to read about everything health-related. I've viewed both the RN and LVN courses at my local college, and every subject seems completely thrilling to learn about.

Also, for background, I live in the Houston area, am in my mid-twenties, married, and have a baby on the way. A good work/life balance is important to me as we want additional children and I certainly want to be involved in their lives. Currently, I'm considering all nursing avenues, and a Bachelor's degree is as far as I'm willing to go at this point (I definitely would be eyeing a public health degree if I did take this route!).

Also, as far as the LVN vs. RN question, I've met a lot of LVNs who have expressed regret for not pursuing an RN degree because of pay and wanting more opportunities. All I'm seeking to do is make a decent paycheck for a comfortable lifestyle and to work outside of bedside.

Basically, I'm at the point where I'm tired of thinking/debating what I want and start doing--and that means finding what works for me and not settling! I am finally feeling liberated and ready to do this!

Any thoughts or advice on any of this is more than helpful to me--I would appreciate it so much!

tl;Dr: Debating between LVN, RN, or BSN--whichever will offer me the most opportunities of working outside of bedside. I do NOT want to work bedside upon graduating and am wondering how possible this is to avoid. I would strongly reconsider the nursing path if this were NOT possible.

[Sour Lemon]

On 4/19/2020 at 8:06 PM, Aprilj09 said:

Oh, goodness. I wish I had totally dismissed money from my post. I've always been drawn to helping, educating, and taking care of people. I've worked in a hospital, and I don't like the environment. I've just always dreamed of working in a doctor's office or clinic. I'm not trying to make a lot of money from it, just a livable wage to contribute to my household.

The community college courses for both LVN and RN are very reasonable and we're able to pay for them out of pocket. I'm so sorry this has become such an issue in this thread, I'm just trying to help create a better life for my family so it's not just on my husband.

You might be misunderstanding me, and/or possibly others. I went into the field 100% for practical reasons. It's perfectly fine to care about money. You don't need to "prove" that you don't care. ?

We all naturally want to be able to support ourselves and our families comfortably. Compensation IS a huge consideration, which is why it's important that you understand which areas pay more and less before deciding if nursing is something that you want to do ...especially when you're interested in an area that pays less.

It seems like you do "get" that. Mission accomplished.

[dream'n, BSN, RN]

This is all in generalities, but my 2 cents:

It seems to me that you are describing a Medical Assistant. Most outpatient offices hire Medical Assistants, and maybe one nurse, if any.

An ADN or BSN will put you at the bottom of the totem pole related to experience and you will be completing with more experienced nurses for the few outpatient jobs available. Therefore, to get experience you will probably be working in the hospital at first

LPNs tend to be utilized most often (again a generality) in LTC and Rehab.

In my personal opinion, to be competitive for public health positions you would most likely require experience and a Master's Degree.

[Dln14]

In California (especially at the large university hospitals) LVN's are often used in the outpatient setting instead of MA's. Maybe try searching for "LVN" and "RN" jobs in your area and see what comes up regarding pay, experience, job duties, etc. This might help you with your decision. Good luck!

[jobellestarr]

If it is a limited nursing role that you’re wanting, I would lean towards LPN. Or actually, not a nurse at all. Maybe a MA course? That would be more of the clinic work you’re describing. I would personally go the route of the least time and cost especially if you don’t want to do bedside.

[CommunityRNBSN, BSN, RN]

Ignore anyone who says you must have Med-Surge experience before you can do anything else. If you want to work in a hospital, you need hospital experience. I knew when I started that I was not interested in hospital work. I love patient education. So when I graduated (BSN) I applied for community health and public health jobs. I now work in an FQHC. I also just started doing per diem work in addictions. I wouldn’t call it “low stress” (our pt population is incredibly difficult, there’s never enough funding, etc) but it is a totally different kind of work and stress than a hospital job is. But it pays about the same as hospital work (although with no opportunities for differentials or even consistent raises). I highly, 100%, completely recommend it, if it is the kind of work you enjoy. Get your RN definitely, and your BSN if possible, and then go apply for the jobs you want!

edited to add: I didn’t mean that hospital nurses don’t do education! I just mean that anything that beeps or has tubes— I want to stay far away from. I want to spend my day talking and listening, which is what I do now. And also... paperwork. Paperwork is the other thing I spend large portions of my day on.

[mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN]

Many of the clinics where I am hire CMAs instead of LPN or RNs. Have no idea about rates of pay for that

[Closed Account 12345]

I agree that based upon your desired position, it may be better to seek MA certification. Depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy, you may even be able to complete a program before having a baby. Alternatively, some hospital systems train Patient Care Assistants on thr job with no formal education/healthcare background. Since you live in Houston, you know that there are MANY clinics affiliated with hospital systems, but the clinics themselves are not acute care. Have you looked at available health department jobs that may not require certifications/licensure? Then, once the dust settles, you could start working towards an online degree related to public health.

[Sophie27]

You may think differently later in life as you work within nursing and the roles you take on. Precisely, this is what is great about nursing, in that you will never get bored trying different jobs and enjoying your journey.

I wish you well my friend,

[implathszombie9]

IDK why they keep attacking you about pay...It's real simple to want to help people but also not want to feed your kid beans and rice for 15-18 years.

LVN is a start. I live in Houston too and am registered for pre nursing this Fall. If I don't get into the nursing program through Lonestar then I might have to go for ABSN and take out a bunch of private loans.

Btw I'm in my mid twenties.

[shiftingtides]

I'd agree with another poster that the job you're describing now mostly goes to MAs, and usually at quite a bit less than $20/hr. Look at job postings in your area and see if there are offices still hiring nurses.

Likely getting your LPN would be a better fit for this kind of job, when you look at the cost in time of getting that versus your RN. Again, it might still not pay quite what you're looking for, but it will pay better than an MA. Looking at your local market should help you to decide the right path.

Community health will likely be something that will require a greater time investment. I would guess at least a bachelors.

Good luck! I find it admirable that you know what you want, the pay you need, and that you are willing to be honest and straightforward about it when seeking advice.

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

Have you looked for a job in a doctor's office or clinic? It might be a good plan to actually experience those environments first. It's easy to imagine a setting is all unicorns and rainbows, then we find out that every area of healthcare has its own unique brand of stress!

I agree that you might want to explore an MA role. Best of luck with your kiddo on the way, how exciting!

[BlessYourHeartt]

Have you thought of working as a MA first? Office job, get to help people, significantly less educational commitment.