So if LPN and associate degree nurses are both being phased out, what’s left?


This Question From Oregon LPN Programs | 3 Answers


People have been telling me both LPN and ADN (associate degree nureses) are being phased out so I dont know what else to do. I have a bachelor’s in psychology and people tell me I should do the accelerated program but the only one I know where I lived (in NW oregon) is at OHSU which is like ,000 and I don’t know how I would pay for it. Would maybe a 2 year medical lab tech degree be the best route or…?
I wanted to work with kids, but I went to one interview and the kids were kicking and cursing and I got scared and left crying, and pretty much never looked back. Anyways, the pay was like an hour. I make like now at my current non-degree related job.

3 Comments so far

  1. Curiouser and curiouser on May 14, 2010 8:15 pm

    When you got your BA in Psych, what did you originally plan on doing with it? Why have you chosen to change paths to healthcare?

    My personal opinion would be to pursue a Master’s degree vs. going through an Associate’s degree program. Choose a program/career based on what you could see yourself doing for the next few decades.

    Across the board, all professions are seeing job cuts and instability (including healthcare). Please don’t choose a profession based on ‘job stability’. Things will wax and wane for everybody and then pick up again in the future.

    Good luck!

    Also – Medical lab technicians are at the ‘low end’ of lab work (more like an ‘assistant’). Clinical/Medical lab technologists have bachelor’s degrees and are the ones that make the good/better money.

  2. thinking on May 14, 2010 8:35 pm

    LPN and AA nurse’s are being phased out? That’s news to me. Have you thought about Social Work? Just a suggestion. $40k is a lot however I think it’s worth it.

    This is an article about the rumor LPN’s being phased out.
    http://allnurses.com/lpn-lvn-corner/lpns-they-really-159958.html

  3. Jill on May 14, 2010 8:51 pm

    LPNs and ADN RNs are not being “phased out”. LPNs are having harder times finding jobs in acute care (hospitals), but there are still jobs out there in clinics, home health, nursing homes, etc. And there is NO plan to “phase out” that level of licensure. Same with ADN RNs. There are plenty of jobs for RNs, regardless of your degree. Many hospitals might prefer to hire BSNs, but they cannot always hold out for a BSN grad, and ADN RNs should always apply for those jobs, even if they say “BSN preferred”.

    If you want to be a nurse, you’ll bite the bullet and do the accelerated BSN program, which is the most logical approach to nursing for you given you already hold a BS. Apply for student financial aid through FAFSA, and take whatever is offered to you. Don’t be afraid of student loans – they are “good” debt, and should be thought of as an investment in your future. You pay nothing while in school, often interest doesn’t even accrue while you’re enrolled, and you pay back after graduating or after dropping below half-time status. You will definitely be able to afford the payments once you’re working as an RN.