61yr old LPN, should I get RN?

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2012

I don't thnk you'll have any problems fnding a job at your age. Seriously. I have never had age be an issue in getting hired.

Piglet08 · Jan 20, 2012

It's not something you can get that quickly; there are prerequisite courses, and in my area, at least, there are wait lists for RN programs. It would take years. And no guarantees of finding an RN position after you graduate these days because there really never was a "nurse shortage", and now there's a nurse surplus. I can't see it being a solution to a present job search. I would advise, only do it if you feel a need deep inside you, if it would be the way to fulfill yourself.

Trauma Columnist · Jan 20, 2012

Some questions:

1. Are you physically able to do clinicals?

2. How long do you plan to work?

Grannyof6 · Jan 20, 2012

Thanks for the replies.

Yes I'd be able to physically do the clinicals and I plan to work till I'm 70. I don't like sitting around. I was thinking of doing the RN course online through RUE. But I admit the cost vs. 'working years left' just doesn't seem logical. Kind of grabbing at straws at the moment. Most of the LPN jobs near me are home care, I've always worked LTC. Don't like the idea of going into private homes. I'd like to do Dr. office but they always ask for office experience, or I've even considered switching to Pharmacy Tech. Either way my wages will decrease.

I'm not married anymore so I definitely need to find something.

Any other ideas would be appreciated.

watersamy · Jan 20, 2012

You are never too old to learn something new. I would look into LPN-RN bridge programs at your local community colleges, some colleges also have weekend/night programs so that you can work part-time while in school. It shouldn't take more than one year if all you're re-requisite classes are done. I would recommend that you take your pre-requisite classes first before applying to an RN program. I also wouldn't recommend doing an online program because you'll need to do maternity/pediatric clincials as well as cardiac/psych (at least that's we we did at my school). RN programs are difficult and there is nothing better than hands-on learning.

Good Luck!

caliotter3 · Jan 20, 2012

Do it because you want to, but don't do it with the expectation that it will lead to an immediate positive change in your employment status. An employer once told me that they would not employ me when I got an RN license until I had worked somewhere else as an RN for at least one year. No help there. When you get the RN license, expect to be treated as an RN with no experience, not as an RN with years of LPN experience.

Grannyof6 · Jan 20, 2012

Caliotter3-

Thanks for your input. That's interesting. You'd think that all my years of LPN 'hands on' patient care experience would count for a little. I'm hoping to get back into LTC, either as LPN or RN, where my heart is. But as I said before, I'm also looking at allied positions too.

caliotter3 · Jan 20, 2012

I have got the impression from people that they take some kind of personal satisfaction out of denigrating the new RN who once worked as an LPN. It is as if they looked at you like you were substandard, trying to catch up with those who were good enough to get an RN license in the first place.

shamrokks, ADN, ASN, RN · Jan 20, 2012

My opinion I'd stick with LPN. Weigh the cost and time of getting your RN. It's also very competitive to get into RN programs, even with the LPN bridge. If you plan on working for 9 more years then you may use up 2 of those just trying to get into and finish your RN. You would still have to work during your schooling right? There are plenty of LPN positions where I live if you have experience but I know that may not be the case where you are. I hope it works out for you whichever way you choose. Good luck.

NurseLoveJoy88, ASN, RN · Jan 20, 2012

Try school nursing

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2012

https://allnurses.com/nursing-career-advice/older-rns-job-658575.html

https://allnurses.com/nursing-news/recessions-effect-hospital-646453.html

ageism is alive and well in nursing. the market is tough out there for both rn's and lpn's. many new grads are having difficulty getting jobs regardless of age.

contrary to popular belief,there is no nursing shortage. the jobs maybe posted but there are hiring freezes due to the economy. nurses have returned to the workforce because their s.o. is unemployed and nurses who planned to retire cannot because we lost our butts in 401k when everything crashed. there are nursing schools churning out grads at an alarming rate to take advantage of the economy and the flocking of society to the "recession proof" health care field...with no positions to fulfill. there are hospital's that offer "internships" or "residencies" that you pay them to train you available but they are few and far between and don't guarantee employment. right now it just stinks out there :sniff: hospitals are "short staffed" but they want it that way......due to budget cits and hospitals are still laying off.

https://allnurses.com/nursing-news/jo...ds-662139.html

https://allnurses.com/nursing-first-j...ew-636865.html

medscape: medscape access

the big lie?without a doubt, the main source of frustration experienced by recently graduated and licensed but still unemployed nurses is what could be called "the big lie."in other words, the television commercials that encourage young people to become nurses -- and then abandon them for months (or years) without employment; and the educators who tell them that the associate's degree is perfectly adequate to guarantee employment, that they will have their pick of jobs when they graduate, and that there is plenty of time to get a bsn later on. who knows whether it is greed, ignorance, or wishful thinking that underlies the fairy tales told to nursing students about their future job prospects? whatever the motivation, the disillusionment of our new grads is palpable. the jobs they expected after all of their hard work just haven't materialized, and some grads are getting pretty desperate.