| There are three nursing designations in the United | | | | obstacle to becoming an RN or BSN or even an NP, |
| States. They are licensed practical nurse (LPN) or, in | | | | starting as an LPN/LVN can get you into the |
| some states, licensed vocational nurse (LVN), | | | | workforce and earning money quickly. If you can land |
| registered nurse (RN) and at the zenith, nurse | | | | an LPN/LVN position with a large nursing home or clinic |
| practitioner (NP). | | | | that has a tuition assistance program, you can |
| Not surprisingly, the difference in pay scales among | | | | leverage your LPN/LVN into an RN, BSN or NP |
| these designations directly corresponds to the cost of | | | | degree and you're your employer will pay all or part of |
| achieving them. | | | | your tuition. |
| Licensed Practical Nursing and Licensed Vocational | | | | It isn't uncommon for RN's to start their careers as |
| Nursing are not degreed designations. They are | | | | licensed practical nurses and then go back to school to |
| certificates or diplomas, usually earned in 12 to 18 | | | | receive their RN degree when they are in a stronger |
| months of schooling. The shorter classroom time and | | | | financial position. |
| typically lower tuition costs at various colleges and | | | | Another thing to remember about the LPN is this; they |
| technical schools combine to make this an affordable | | | | do the grunt work, the routine and repetitive tasks, |
| way to get your foot in the door of the medical | | | | such as cleaning and dressing wounds, bathing patients, |
| profession. | | | | taking blood pressure and temperature, ensuring |
| A word of caution! Many hospitals have stopped hiring | | | | patients are taking their medication on time, and |
| LPNs, choosing to employ only RNs and BSNs. Do | | | | assisting in maintaining the patient's overall welfare. An |
| some research in your state and community to | | | | RN or physician usually supervises LPNs. |
| determine trends where you live or plan to work. That | | | | One perk worth mentioning is job security. As an LPN |
| said, LPNs remain in demand by doctor's offices, and a | | | | LVN, your job is not going to be outsourced and |
| variety of other health facilities. | | | | demand for qualified health professionals is only getting |
| As an LPN, you are at the bottom of the nursing food | | | | stronger as our population ages. Although many RN's |
| chain, so what can you expect to earn? Government | | | | are being "imported" from other countries to meet |
| sources indicate earnings for the average the average | | | | demand here in the US, no LPN/LVN's are granted |
| LPN in the United States of approximately $36 | | | | work visas to the United States of America. |
| thousand annually in 2006. In comparison, the same | | | | Whether you choose to be an LPN/LVN as a |
| source reports earnings of $56 thousand annually for | | | | stepping-stone to an RN or BSN degree or make it |
| a registered nurse. As for job opportunities, This | | | | career choice in itself, the field of Licensed Practical |
| source is forecasting continued demand through 2016 | | | | Nursing is a challenging, rewarding and respected |
| especially for RN's. | | | | career. |
| So, what is the take away from this? If money is an | | | | |