LPN questions….have a few….please read.?


This Question From Georgia LPN Programs | 2 Answers


I started LPN program this semester (my first time in college at age 27) I was ready for a career change, something that would always be needed and something that would make good money. After I get this certificate and work for about 6 months, I plan on going back to college and obtaining a RN. I have always wanted to get into the medical field but it took me a long time to finally do it. What I really want to do is work in the Maternity Ward and work with infants. Anyone with experience in this field, would this be a possibility to get on in that department or would I have to start out somewhere else? If so, how would I make it up the ladder? (I have heard LPN’s is low on the todem pole, but I don’t know) Also does LPN’s make good money? For instance in Georgia what would be a reasonable hourly rate? Thanks for answering my wondering questions :-)

2 Comments so far

  1. David B on June 4, 2010 8:14 pm

    a new grad lpn would have a hard time getting hired into anything other than med surg or nursing home…i always encourage folks that want to do this and can to go straight into an RN program. If the money doesnt work one has a tendency to get stuck making paychecks and never moving on.

  2. n kateus on June 4, 2010 8:19 pm

    I’m inclined to agree with the first reply; I chose to become an LPN rather than an RN because I wanted to do patient care and not administrative duties, did not want to have the level of responsibility of an RN. However, I later regretted that choice as over the years, I found myself doing everything except one that the RNs in my hospitals did, for waaaay less money, and at times knew an RN was making an error but did not have the ‘paper’ to be able to confront her directly. Small hospitals did provide me the opportunity to learn as much as I wanted to, and I’ve always preferred smaller hospitals to the huge metro ones if possible. At one point, my employer wanted to send me back to school to get the RN so they could make me the head of the OB department. I worked in it, from admitting to discharge and everything in between, including delivery room. The chief of OB at times asked me to stay over at the end of my shift to work with his laboring patient till she delivered.

    LPNs are being phased out right along with the team-nursing concept in some areas. A very bad move, as I see it. Do you know anyone who feels they get better care in hospital now than 25 years ago? Technology has advanced wonderfully, but nurses are struggling with horrid patient:nurse ratios. If you are able, do get your RN. An associate degree is the minimum to settle for any more. Once you have your license, you are in a good field, even as LPN. Be a good patient-oriented nurse and you will have a job. GOOD experience is a wonderful teacher and you will really start to learn when you start to work. If you can not put off starting for RN, really, just do it. Hourly rates vary so much from place to place that I won’t attempt to answer that. Best wishes to you in your career. n.kateus http://www.mydayjob.net/benifits.php