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Career Rating and Comparison
| Category | This Career | All Rated Careers |
|---|---|---|
| Career Satisfaction |    | |
Degrees and Schools
LPNs typically complete a one to two year practical nursing program that leads to a certificate, diploma, or associate degree. LPN training involves study of anatomy, pharmacology, patient care, communication, and includes substantial clinic time.
Certificate and diploma programs are the most popular paths for becoming an LPN. An associate degree can be valuable as a foundation for more advanced nursing degrees, such as a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN), that prepare students for roles with greater responsibilities.
LPN training programs are commonly available from a hospital, community or junior college, or technical vocational school. Some may be available from a four-year college or university. Whatever the school, a program must be approved by a state's Board of Nursing in order for a student to qualify for a license.
Once a program is completed successfully, the nurse must pass a state regulated examination, known as the NCLEX-PN, to become licensed. States commonly accept LPNs that have been licensed in other states without further requirements.
Classes
Most LPN degree programs teach a similar set of basic nursing skills. These include, for instance, measuring vital signs, data collection, patient care and comfort, and giving medication. Most also are required by states to include training for advanced skills such as phlebotomy, intravenous (IV)infusion, and IV medication administration. Common LPN nursing classes include those for nursing fundamentals, psychology, adult health, mental health, pediatric health, anatomy, physiology, obstetrics, nutrition, first aid, and more.
Online Classes and Programs
Because LPN training involves substantial clinical time, LPN programs have been only available on site. Many of these programs offer busy adults the flexibility of completing classes during nights and weekends.
Availability of online LPN nursing programs have been limited to existing LPNs that are seeking to advance their careers and expertise. There has been rapid growth in these online programs – there are now hundreds – because of their flexibility for busy, working adults and those distant from a school. Online courses can be completed at convenient times and any location with an internet-connected computers. For programs with clinical segments, these are typically coordinated with an appropriate medical facility that is close to the student.
Example online programs that are popular for LPNs include LPN to RN degrees, LPN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees, and others.
Education and Employment Requirements
LPN school candidates are required to at least be high school graduates. The rules of State Boards of Nursing apply to entrants. For example the requirements for taking boards usually include a clean criminal record and graduation from an approved practical nursing program.
How to Evaluate Schools
Prospective LPN students should consider the following factors in evaluating LPN schools:
- LPN school size - Small schools frequently provide the most personal interaction with faculty and staff while larger schools often will have the largest selection of program and study options.
- Career path - An LPN program that is part of a school offering advanced nursing programs, such as a bachelor or master degrees, can provide the most flexibility should a student later decide to advance his/her degree and career.
- Student to faculty ratios - Fewer students per teacher during clinical work and classes can be an important factor in getting a high quality education.
- Clinical time - An LPN school should have adequate clinical time in various practice areas, including direct experience with patients, to help ensure that students are prepared for their LPN jobs. A good way to assess this may be for candidate students to speak with a school's current and recently graduated students.
- Board pass rates - Look for schools with high pass rates of the board examinations as this can be a sign of the general quality of a program.
- Tuition and financial Aid - Both tuition and availability of financial aid can vary significantly from one LPN school to another.
LPN Job Description
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs), also known as licensed vocational nurses (LVNs), care for the health of patients under the supervision of physicians and registered nurses (RNs). An LPN's responsibilities can be broad. Examples of LPN activities include:
- recording vital signs
- obtaining patient information
- providing injections
- helping with daily care
- dressing wounds
- monitoring equipment
- conducting regular lab tests
- teaching patients and their families about their care
LPNs are usually generalists that can work across many areas of healthcare, often within a hospital. Many work in focused settings such as nursing homes, physician offices, home health care, clinics, military facilities, or federal government facilities. Another common work situation are LPN travel jobs in which the LPN takes temporary, contract assignments in various locations. LPN travel jobs can be a useful way to increase earnings or to evaluate a region and workplace before taking a permanent position.
Becoming an LPN offers a fast entry into a nursing career - a student can obtain a license within one year. LPNs have a foundation for advancing their careers into nursing jobs that offer higher pay and responsibilities. For instance an LPN can become an RN through one of many available LPN to RN degree programs.
Career Profiles
To help career searchers evaluate their options, BrainTrack has asked hundreds of workers to profile their jobs with a review and ratings. See below for a summary of this career compared to all rated careers and for detailed reviews.
| Category | This Career | All Rated Careers |
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| Career Satisfaction | | |
| Opportunity for Promotion | | |
| Career Flexibility | | |
| How Cool Is The Career | | |
| How Stressful | | |
| Social Orientation | | |
| Earnings Potential | | |
| Task Variety | | |
| Job Security | | |
Job Title: Licensed Practical Nurse
Attended: Hostos Community College • Bronx, NY
Studied LPN (completion in 2010)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 1/22/2012
"I'm satisfied because I love being a nurse, but I didn't rate it as the highest because I want to become an RN."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 10 | All my professor were very helpful in my career, and I thank them for that. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 7 | I'm doing well in my job and they made me realize it by recognizing my work. |
| Job Security | 10 | I have a good job and I love it. I also love my coworkers. |
| Earnings Potential | 8 | You can earn a lot in nursing, but it really depends on the facility. Some pay big and some don't. |
| How Stressful | 10 | In terms of stress, it is really very stressful because you need to do a lot of things at the same time. On top of that, you have to make sure that what you're doing is right. |
| Task Variety | 10 | I'm on the rehab floor so I can say that everyday is a different day. It's not a routine. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 10 | Everybody at work calls me cool because they don't see the pressure and stress in my face. |
| Career Flexibility | 10 | My schedule is very flexible. I can work days, evenings, or nights, but right now I have my regular schedule in the evening, which I think is most suitable for me. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | In nursing you really have to be socially interactive with others. It puts the patient at peace. |
Job Title: Licensed Practical Nurse
Attended: Central Community College • Kearney, NE
Studied Nursing (completion in 2007)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 1/24/2012
"I do enjoy working as an LPN, but in my current city there are limited job opportunities. I plan to go back to school to get my RN so that I can work in a hospital. Where I live, the only real jobs for LPNs are in nursing homes or clinics."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 7 | I learned a lot at school and felt prepared when I graduated. Some of the instructors were unfriendly, but nursing school shouldn't be too easy. Not just anyone should be able to be a nurse. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 5 | Working as an LPN provides opportunities for occasional promotions and raises, but most of the time you continue to work at the job title you are hired at. On one occasion since graduation I was promoted - to charge nurse. |
| Job Security | 8 | Nurses are needed more and more each day. While it can be competitive, there is always a job to be found, even if it isn't your first choice of job. |
| Earnings Potential | 7 | Nursing is a fairly high paying career. However, minimum wage continues to rise and I'm not seeing significant nursing raises despite this. |
| How Stressful | 9 | You have a lot of responsibility as a nurse. It is a job that comes with a lot of stress because you can only expect the unexpected. Every single day can provide new challenges and you must be able to remain calm in high stress situations to perform your job properly. |
| Task Variety | 10 | You can expect something new every single day as a nurse. You never know what patient needs may arise or what to expect. No person is exactly alike, so no patient is exactly alike. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 3 | While I have gained a lot of experience and enjoy my career, I wouldn't call it "cool." I feel LPNs do not get as much respect as RNs and at times are not considered "real nurses" which can be frustrating. |
| Career Flexibility | 3 | Nursing is not flexible when it comes to scheduling. If you don't show up, it's likely the staff before you will have to stay and there can be real consequences because patients are relying on cares. Also, for example, most clinics operate from 8-5 monday through friday, which means you're expected to be available 8-5 Monday through Friday. |
| Social Orientation | 7 | It's important to delegate in nursing, so you're constantly interacting with coworkers. Also, in high stress situations I feel that bonds are formed faster with coworkers because it is vital that you can trust one another. Furthermore, you must have good social skills to be a nurse so you can interact appropriately with patients and their families. |
Job Title: Licensed Practical Nurse
Attended: Mayo Technical College • Paintsville, KY
Studied Licensed Practical Nurse (completion in 1999)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 1/20/2012
"There are too many legal aspects to being a nurse now. It seems most of a nurse's time is spent with paperwork and very little is left for patient care."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 8 | The college I studied at was very professional. They also had a program that taught its students the real life aspects of being a nurse. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 2 | Being an LPN, there is not a very great chance of being promoted. Our profession is usually spent doing only patient care. |
| Job Security | 2 | So many legal aspects are attached to nursing in this day and age. Hospitals, nursing homes, etc. have become unreliable employers when there is any threat that they may be sued. The public, along with lawyers that advertise regularly on television, have caused panic and fear among those that work in the health care field. |
| Earnings Potential | 10 | The nursing profession does pay fairly well. However, in the past few years, our salary seems to be at a standstill due to the economy. |
| How Stressful | 10 | Nursing is an extremely stressful job. We must deal with death and sickness everyday and try to comfort family members. |
| Task Variety | 10 | Being a nurse, you never know what situations you will encounter each day. Some days are very dull and boring, while on other days we are swamped and begging for more help. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 8 | Nurses are trained to be calm and in control at all times. In my profession we see death, usually on a regular basis. |
| Career Flexibility | 7 | Nurses can work almost anywhere in the health care field. There is a shortage of nurses in this country today, so therefore, nurses can usually pick where they want to work and which days they prefer to work. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | Obviously, nurses are in social situations constantly. We must deal with the public and also with our supervisors on a regular basis. |
Job Title: LPN
Attended: Brown Mackie College - South Bend • South Bend, IN
Studied Nursing (completion in 2011)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 1/19/2012
"I love being able to take care of people and make a difference in their lives. I also like being able to provide for my family with a job that is always going to be needed."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 7 | The school was great because there were few students per class. The teachers were always willing to help you with anything you didn't understand. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 8 | The more experience you have, the more opportunities you get. If you take special classes, you can be a unit manager or even an assistant DON. |
| Job Security | 10 | There will always be a need for nurses in every state. |
| Earnings Potential | 9 | Nurses make really good money. The more experience you have, the more money you can make. |
| How Stressful | 8 | It is stressful because you are responsible for a lot of people. You also have the task of documenting the care of every patient. |
| Task Variety | 5 | Everyday is always different. It depends on how a resident is feeling or what activities are planned for the day. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 8 | You are able to watch people heal in different stages. You can make a difference in someone's life and help them maintain their health. |
| Career Flexibility | 8 | I can choose any shift I want. If I don't like the shift I am on, I can look for another that suits me better. There are always hours available to work as well. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | You are always talking with family, residents, and doctors. People are always visiting loved ones and they talk with you for a few minutes. |
Job Title: LPN
Attended: Chattahoochee Technical College • Dallas, GA
Studied Nursing LPN (completion in 2005)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 1/21/2012
"LPN's are a dying breed. I should have became an RN. I am planning to bridge."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 9 | I am a very educated LPN. My instructors taught us very well. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 3 | As an LPN, I am limited. If I obtain my RN I will have greater opportunities. |
| Job Security | 10 | Nurses are needed in all areas. The baby boomers are retiring, so the need is great. |
| Earnings Potential | 5 | |
| How Stressful | 9 | You must be confident in your decision making skills. Patients can be demanding and the doctors are demanding. You MUST know how to do your job when you have 15 patients you are providing care for. |
| Task Variety | 10 | It's always changing. You never know what's coming through that door. It's an exciting adrenaline rush. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 9 | It's a respected field. People rely on your experience and your expertise. |
| Career Flexibility | 4 | You are limited to the hours of the typical shifts. Most are 12 hours long. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | You are always talking with someone. The patients develop connections with a competent nurse. Also, you spend time talking with your peers. |
Job Title: LPN
Attended: Ashland Community Technical School • Ashland, KY
Studied LPN (completion in 2001)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 1/24/2012
"I enjoy my Job as an LPN. I am currently taking online classes to obtain my RN degree."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 10 | I feel I learned everything I needed to pass my LPN Boards. They provided an adequate program to excel as an LPN. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 5 | I feel that in order to be promoted in my field, I need to further my education. I am now taking online classes to obtain my RN degree. |
| Job Security | 10 | I feel that the medical field has a very secure future. There will always be a need for nursing professionals. |
| Earnings Potential | 5 | The earning potential is not bad in my area, but there is always room for higher pay. I am currently taking online classes to further my career. |
| How Stressful | 8 | There will always be stress in any medical field, but the benefits outweigh the stress. It can often be difficult to be responsible for someones well being. |
| Task Variety | 5 | For the most part my job requirements are the same day to day. As with any job, there are often medical situations which would require different care. This makes it a little more exciting. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 6 | I very much enjoy my work as an LPN. It's not a very glamorous job, but it's very fulfilling. |
| Career Flexibility | 8 | There are usually an abundance of LPN positions available in my home town. Each would have a different schedule flexibility and need for Part/Full time positions. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | As an LPN, I work hands on with patients daily. The social interaction is something I love about my career. |
Job Title: LPN
Attended: Memorial City Medical Center (Now Called Hermann Memorial) • Houston, TX
Studied Vocational Nursing (completion in 1990)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 2/24/2012
"When I first became an LPN, I needed a quick education to bring an income in for my two kids. Now that they're out of the house, I have time to go back to school. It seems a ceiling is hit pretty quick as an LPN; in scope and in income."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 10 | The school was a program in a hospital, it has closed its doors and the hospital has changed its name. I chose that school because of its reputation in the Houston community for putting out better LPNs than the local community college was, of RNs. There was a much better chance at getting a job, and this proved to be true. I beat out RNs in for jobs. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 1 | My doctor in the clinic I work in says that the way I'll get promoted is to get my RN. |
| Job Security | 2 | The LPN/LVN is being phased out. Where I live now in Illinois, one hospital isn't even hiring LPNs. I'd love to live in Oregon by my adult children and grandkids, but there aren't any LPN positions there. |
| Earnings Potential | 2 | When I worked private duty pediatric nursing in Texas in 1991, I made $21 an hour. Now in Illinois, where the scope of work is much smaller, $12-15 is the going rate. At $17, you've hit a ceiling. |
| How Stressful | 5 | Not as stressful as working on a floor in the hospital, but it can have its stressful days when too many patients are squeezed in and double booked. |
| Task Variety | 5 | Tasks are about the same, just different faces (patients) coming in for appointments. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 8 | I enjoy helping people and seeing them smile. It isn't high tech nursing, like it would be in a hospital. But it is still a respected profession. |
| Career Flexibility | 2 | I'm fortunate to live in a small pocket left in the nation that has plenty of LPN positions open, but they are all in medical clinics. There aren't any in the hospital. There are a few in nursing homes. Not much flexibility as an LPN. |
| Social Orientation | 5 | We talk about our kids and grandkids while at work. After work we may text a little bit, or before work if someone is running late. We all keep work and home separate. |
Job Title: LPN/Physicians Substitute
Attended: Milwaukee Area Technical College • Milwaukee, WI
Studied LPN (completion in 2006)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 2/25/2012
"I love my job. I do physicals for potential plasma donors. I would like to further my career by going back to school to get my RN."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 8 | The classes were small, which meant a good teacher/student ratio. There was help offered by way of tutors also. They made sure you were going to succeed. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 4 | I can move up to a lead at my job, but no further promotions are available. |
| Job Security | 7 | The plasma industry is always going to be there because of the medication that needs to be produced. There will always be a need for LPNs. |
| Earnings Potential | 7 | We receive pay rate changes yearly. Our pay is great compared to other local centers. |
| How Stressful | 7 | Very stressful when we are at full capacity. The people of the center depend on medical staff. |
| Task Variety | 5 | The tasks are pretty much the same everyday. Sometimes there may be a little variation if someone has a reaction from a donation. Sometimes, if one area is behind, you jump in to help. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 7 | The satisfaction of knowing you are helping someone is the coolest. I know that the donors think we are cool. |
| Career Flexibility | 8 | I always can take paid time off. I have never been denied this. There are many different locations where I can work, and I can transfer at any time. |
| Social Orientation | 9 | I meet people from all walks of life. Corporate comes to our center to meet with us every 2-3 months. |
Job Title: Licensed Practical Nurse
Attended: Pine Technical College • Pine City, MN
Studied Nursing (completion in 2011)
Highest relevant degree: Associate's
• Submitted: 2/26/2012
"I love helping people and I find it very rewarding. The sense of accomplishment I get at the end of my shift knowing that I did all I could to help someone live healthier gives me great pride."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 7 | I could never have gotten this job without my education, however, sometimes my instructors seemed less than enthused to teach us anything! Some days going to class was pointless. We'd eat chocolate and talk about our families. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 5 | With the budget freezes going on and my lack of "further education," there is no current opportunity to be promoted. However, if I desire to further my career opportunities, I would just need to go back to school. |
| Job Security | 10 | I feel very secure in my job because I live in such a small area with people who aren't very educated. Also, because I live so far away from a major populated city, I feel secure because I know most people don't want to drive an hour to get to work. |
| Earnings Potential | 8 | Because I live so far from the metro, there is little potential to earn more. If I moved closer to the metro I could make quite a bit more. Also, with the state doing the budget freezes for health care facilities, there is little chance to earn more at this moment in time. |
| How Stressful | 10 | Knowing what choice is the right choice is extremely difficult, especially when you're trying to manage your time, take care of X number of other people, and relay information to the appropriate people! There are days when lunch breaks aren't taken, or you don't get a chance to go to the bathroom because you just don't have enough time! |
| Task Variety | 3 | I do the same tasks day in and day out. Every once in a while someone will throw me for a loop and I will have a small hiccup in my daily routine. It doesn't happen often, though. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 10 | I love to help people, even though at times nurses don't get enough credit! Basically, saving lives is AWESOME! |
| Career Flexibility | 8 | I really would like better hours (I currently work 6a-230p) but know that it comes with the territory! I currently work full time but it would be quite easy to drop down to part time or casual. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | I am always talking to coworkers. I relay things to the nursing assistants so they can do their jobs; I relay things to my supervisors so they can do their jobs; I relay things to family members of my patients so they can care for their loved ones. I am always greeting people when they walk through the doors, when they come out of their rooms, and when I answer the phones. |
Job Title: LPN
Attended: Mayo Technical College • Paintsville, KY
Studied Licensed Practical Nursing (completion in 1999)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 2/28/2012
"I thought I would like nursing in the beginning because I thought I would have more time to spend with my patients. But working as nurse, I now realize nurses do not have time to spend with their patients except to do their duties. Too much paperwork must be done everyday, which takes up most of a shift."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 7 | I think the school I attended did very well in this area of study due to the instructors. My instructors did their best to prepare their students for the real world of nursing, and it helped that they too had worked in a hospital/nursing home environment. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 10 | Everyone, such as instructors and supervisors and administrators, always encourage their LPN's to go back to school to receive their RN license. There are several grants to help returning students, and some places of employment offer to pay for school in exchange for a contract of staying with the company for a year or so. |
| Job Security | 8 | The world today has a major shortage in the nursing field. Due to this demand, a nurse usually picks the place, and sometimes even the shift, they want to work. |
| Earnings Potential | 8 | Nurses in most areas are paid very well. Naturally, RN's are paid better. But, LPN's have great earning potential also. |
| How Stressful | 10 | I have worked in many different fields before I became a nurse. Nursing, I can say for certain, is the most stressful profession I have ever had. |
| Task Variety | 10 | Nurses in hospitals or long term care facilities have duties that are expected to be performed everyday but, due to the unpredictability of these settings, they are done at different parts of the day, or they may need help in finishing them if they have had a very hectic day. Nurses in offices have a more predictable day, so their routine rarely ever changes. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 5 | Do not know which "cool" is meant. If "cool" is meant as being detached or unemotional, then I would say nursing does not apply to this. All nurses are taught to leave the job at the job, but no "human being" can do that really. If it is meant as exciting, than I guess then the answer is yes again. Something is always happening if you are a nurse. No two days are the same. |
| Career Flexibility | 10 | Places that employ nurses will work with a potential nursing employee in any way that they can to ensure that that nurse agrees to work for them. Such deals are made like picking your own shift, working only on weekdays or weekends, working half of an eight hour shift, etc. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | Nursing provides plenty of opportunity for social interaction. As a matter of fact, in some areas of nursing, that is all that you do. Patients almost always go through the nurse who relays their messages on to the doctor. Nurses are also, in part, therapists. Many patients open up to their nurses and tell them very personal problems that they sometimes do not even tell their own family members. |
Job Title: LPN
Attended: Greater Johnstown Career & Technology Center • Johnstown, PA
Studied Licensed Practical Nursing (completion in 2009)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 3/1/2012
"I am happy being a nurse. I love helping and caring for my patients. I am not completely happy with the way that the RN's treat me because I am lower on the totem pole than they are."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 9 | They taught way more than most of the RN's that I work with know. It was only a 12 month program, so there was a lot to learn in such little time. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 3 | As an LPN, there are few promotions. However, LPNs can go back to school for an RN. |
| Job Security | 7 | I know it would take a lot to get rid of me due to me being a male LPN in a mostly female profession. Working in psych as a male nurse comes with a lot of advantages, like being able to handle a patient by myself. |
| Earnings Potential | 4 | I work for the state and they have been on a pay freeze for years. I am making what people made years ago. |
| How Stressful | 9 | I work in psych where the day to day physical demand is not bad. However, dealing with many people's different personalities is extremely stressful. |
| Task Variety | 4 | |
| How Cool Is The Career | 5 | It's cool to be a nurse, although I'm only an LPN. |
| Career Flexibility | 7 | |
| Social Orientation | 10 | I am always dealing with different staff members or patients all day. On some days I have three or four departments to deal with to make sure a patient is being taking care of. |
Job Title: LPN
Attended: Sacred Heart School Of Practical Nursing • Milwaukee, WI
Studied Practical Nursing (completion in 1966)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 3/3/2012
"The job was interesting. I learned a lot about people as an LPN."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 10 | SHSPN was one of the top rated schools in the state at the time I went there. It was run by nuns who were very particular. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 1 | LPN is a dead end job. The only way to move up is by going back to school. |
| Job Security | 1 | The hospitals here do not use LPN's any longer, but they have made them CNA's. You can get a job in a nursing home, but that may also change soon. |
| Earnings Potential | 5 | LPN provides a lower-middle class income. The potential is very limited because of the need for more education for advancement. |
| How Stressful | 5 | |
| Task Variety | 10 | In all the years I have worked, I have never had 2 days alike. One day all hell is breaking loose with the patients and the next day you can hear a pin drop on the floor. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 4 | Years ago the job was much "cooler" than it is now, because you were a "NURSE." People think being a nurse is some kind of job on a pedestal, but it is back breaking and labor intensive. |
| Career Flexibility | 1 | You have to work your share of weekends and holidays, no matter what. You can never take your work home with you to complete. |
| Social Orientation | 5 | You are taught not to socialize with your patients. Socializing with other staff members varied depending on where you worked and with whom. |
Job Title: Simulation Lab Assistant/LPN
Attended: Canton City Schools • Canton, OH
Studied Licensed Practical Nurse (completion in 2004)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 3/5/2012
"I enjoy working with people in the field of health care. I like to troubleshoot electronics and set up scenarios. I like to learn new things and assist others in learning through simulation."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 8 | It provided all the information needed to become a well rounded LPN and advance my career. I was extremely well prepared for my nclex-pn. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 5 | I need a master’s degree to teach. The only other option is to work in the administrative side, and I would need a different degree for that. In other nursing fields, LPNs in the hospital setting have begun to get phased out. |
| Job Security | 9 | I work in a specialized field in human patient simulation. I have an extensive knowledge of healthcare from many different types of nursing as well as computers and electronics. |
| Earnings Potential | 7 | It’s a specialized field and not many people have my expertise and knowledge of nursing and electronics. I get performance based raises each year. |
| How Stressful | 1 | I’m not a stressful person. I set my own schedule for the most part. I work with great people in a field I enjoy. |
| Task Variety | 8 | I work on different scenarios each day, from CHF to code blue scenarios. It’s a growing field, so I work with different committees and on different projects weekly to monthly. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 10 | I run and help write scenarios for healthcare students and workers. I get to work with computers and electronics. I work in a field that is really starting to take off and we are exploring new things. |
| Career Flexibility | 8 | I work at a college, so I don’t work on weekends. When I’m not running scenarios, I’m able to work whichever hours I decide. I get all holidays off. Since I'm able to schedule myself, I can pick up work at other times. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | I work at a college, so I interact with students and co-workers. The college I work at is attached to a hospital which I worked at for 10 years, so I see old co-workers and friends all the time. |
Job Title: Licensed Practical Nurse
Attended: VMT Education Center • Washington, DC
Studied Nursing (completion in 2011)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 3/7/2012
"When I began, it was everything I expected it would be. But once I started working in the field, I wanted to move ahead."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 3 | Classes were delayed and the instructors were impossible. I would not recommend this place to anyone. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 10 | As mentioned above, there are many opportunities to advance. I am currently in school for RN and I will be promoted when I finish. |
| Job Security | 10 | I worked at my job as a Medical Assistant while in school. I still work at the same place. I just upgraded. |
| Earnings Potential | 10 | There is a reward for going above and beyond. That alone makes one want to do better. |
| How Stressful | 5 | There is not much stress. But when it comes to clients' needs, it can become stressful. |
| Task Variety | 5 | I don't think that my daily tasks change very often. Things do change, but they're not very challenging. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 10 | It's cool because of the freedom I have. |
| Career Flexibility | 10 | My employer allows you to make your own schedule. There is no one hovering to see if you're doing your job. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | I interact with people throughout the entire day. When I'm not with clients, I'm interacting with co-workers. |
Job Title: Licensed Practical Nurse
Attended: Western Michigan University • Kalamazoo, MI
Studied Nursing (completion in 2013)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 3/8/2012
"Nursing is a very satisfying line of work. You get to communicate and interact with patients while also working with other medical professionals. You are caring for patients and have to develop a relationship and trust with them."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 9 | The nursing school is doing a very good job of preparing me for my career. The work is challenging but doable, and the clinical rotations they offer are very beneficial. I am able to see and learn a lot on site, which is exciting. The only negative is that it is a three year program. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 5 | In health care the only way to really get promoted is to return to school and train for a higher position. I could possibly be promoted to a better shift or a different floor, however. |
| Job Security | 10 | Health care is a growing field, and there is a shortage of workers at almost every level in the industry. Also, with the "Baby Boomers" aging, there will be an increased need for nurses as they require more care. |
| Earnings Potential | 6 | As the demand for nurses increases, so will the earnings potential of nurses. Some states have greater shortages than others and offer very good pay and benefits to move there to work. That being said, no one will become wealthy being a nurse, but it still pays well. |
| How Stressful | 9 | The long shifts that come from being a nurse and the potential life or death situations make the job very stressful. There is also a lot of pressure to not make mistakes, whether they be with prescriptions or other treatments. |
| Task Variety | 5 | Most day-to-day tasks remain the same, from prescription checks to basic care for patients. There is a fairly set routine in place, with the exception of when patients are checked in and discharged. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 7 | Being a nurse can offer a lot of exciting scenarios. You get to see and do things that only other nurses or higher qualified medical professionals can see and do. It is not the most glamorous job, but it is gaining respect as there is an increasing shortage of nurses. More and more people are being attracted to nursing. |
| Career Flexibility | 9 | Nursing is very flexible. Within health care, there are numerous fields that a nurse can choose to go into. You can work either part time or full time, and often only work three days a week if you are in a hospital. The only downside is the 12 hours shifts that are typical for nurses. This is offset by the availability of jobs nearly anywhere, though. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | Nurses are central to the entire health care system. They are constantly interacting with patients, doctors, nurses, nurse assistants, and administrators. It is part of a nurses job to interact with people. |
Job Title: LPN
Attended: Tennessee Technology Center • Elizabethton, TN
Studied Licensed Practical Nurse (completion in 2005)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 3/5/2012
"Being a nurse is something I have wanted to do for as long as I can remember. I could not be more satisfied with my career choice!"
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 10 | The program at Tennessee Tech was top notch. The teachers were kind and very professional, and when I graduated I felt like I was going to transition very well into a new job. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 5 | As an LPN, I believe the most sought after position is being an LPN supervisor over your shift. As with most jobs, you start with being the newest employee, with room for advancement towards a management position. |
| Job Security | 10 | Fortunately, most jobs in the medical field have great job security. Nursing is a profession with numerous positions available in the job market. |
| Earnings Potential | 10 | Nursing is a field that has great earnings potential. One of the main reasons is because there are so many jobs available and not enough nurses. |
| How Stressful | 10 | Being an LPN can be extremely stressful. Peoples lives are in your hands. You often have to deal with families that are going through a lot of pain when dealing with a loved one that is ill. The hours can be long and the thanks can be short. |
| Task Variety | 7 | The basic daily tasks are always the same. However, because you see different patients on a daily basis, it provides a lot of variation. No person is the same, so even though you are performing the same tasks, they vary a bit with each person. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 7 | While most people don't consider nurses "cool," they usually change their minds after they are cared for by one in an emergency situation. The excitement of being a nurse is high every single day. You never know what kind of situations you are going to have to deal with when you wake up in the morning. |
| Career Flexibility | 10 | Being a nurse is one of the most flexible jobs in terms of career options, locations, and specializations. Jobs are available in hospitals, nursing homes, private clinics and offices, in home nursing, school nursing, teaching, and many others. You have the option to work with children, elderly people, psychiatric patients, cancer patients, etc. This is one of the reasons I went into this profession. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | Being a nurse, you have constant social interaction with your coworkers and with your patients and their family and friends. In the workplace, we (nurses and nurses aides) are like a team working together to get the job done. Some of my closest friends are my coworkers. |
Job Title: Licensed Practical Nurse
Attended: Niagara Community College/BOCES • Sanborn, NY
Studied RN/LPN (completion in 2007)
Highest relevant degree: Associate's
• Submitted: 3/4/2012
"The insurance companies and government are making it increasingly difficult to do our jobs, and also the field has become inundated with nurses the last few years, making the amount of good, full-time day shift jobs scarce."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 7 | NCCC has a very good nursing program. It was difficult, but good. I did stop halfway through the RN program and opted to finish my LPN at BOCES to save time. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 5 | I could go back and finish my RN, however I am considering switching careers. I used to love this job when I first started, but now I am getting really sick of all the extraneous stress that I have to deal with. |
| Job Security | 8 | Like everyone says, "you'll always have a job" as a nurse, but to me the stress level isn't necessarily worth it. |
| Earnings Potential | 8 | I make pretty good money right now working for agency. The MD office I worked for paid less, and I could always go back and finish my RN, but right now I make more than my parents ever did, and more then most of my friends. |
| How Stressful | 9 | The way most facilities are being run, they give you way more work then you can actually get done in a given time frame. Also there is the stress of being responsible for large numbers of people, dealing with insurance companies, doctors, Dementia, and everything else. |
| Task Variety | 5 | Depends. At the nursing home things can get pretty menial and rote, but you can always switch it up and do a home care case or switch facilities. That's why I like working for agency because it gives me the flexibility to choose where and when I want to work and it gives me the option to do something different when I need a change. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 4 | Exciting - yes. Cleaning up poop, not glamorous. Dealing with bodily fluids on a daily basis, also not glamorous. Working with people is awesome, and caring for people is why most of us get into this field. But because of the understaffing of nursing homes, I feel that part of the job gets skipped over due to being too busy. You don't get to sit down and have conversations with people. It becomes all about paperwork and pills. |
| Career Flexibility | 8 | There are all sorts of different opportunities. I did home care, pediatrics, Long-Term care, subacute, rehab, MD office... there are many venues that I haven't even tried. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | There are always people. You can't do this job if you don't love people. Patients, family members, CNAs, RNs, MDs, and support staff. The people are what make the job stressful, but also what in the end makes the job worthwhile. |
Job Title: LPN
Attended: Miami Lakes Tech • Miami Lakes, FL
Studied Practical Nursing (completion in 2010)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 3/12/2012
"Nursing is a very rewarding and satisfying career. At the same time, very long hours and can be overwhelming at times."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 10 | MLT has very bright and helpful teachers/instructors who are always willing to go above and beyond for all students. I highly recommend the program for any aspiring LPN. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 6 | I work for a small agency with not much room for growth. But we all work in a family type atmosphere. |
| Job Security | 10 | Great job security due to overwhelming amount of work. Always have more than enough work in the nursing field. |
| Earnings Potential | 10 | |
| How Stressful | 10 | There's a lot of patient turnover, and high expectations demand a lot of attention throughout the day. Overall, it's a very fulfilling job. |
| Task Variety | 1 | Daily tasks remain pretty much the same. Some days I consider myself a person who just picks up others' messes. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 3 | Not all that much glitz and glamour in the nursing field. But overall, it is a very rewarding career. |
| Career Flexibility | 5 | The chance to work outside the office is always there, however it's not often given by administration. Overall, I'm very satisfied with my new position. |
| Social Orientation | 1 | Job requires a 9-5 schedule in front of a computer and phone in an office. |
Job Title: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)
Attended: Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College • Gulfport, MS
Studied Practical Nursing (completion in 2010)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 3/16/2012
"It was very hard to find a job at first as a recent graduate. Most employer wants people with at least a year of experience. Some people disrespect LPNs because we are not RNs."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 2 | Out of 5 instructors, 2 of them were new instructors so there was a lot of confusion. Sometimes the instructors were very unclear with their instructions. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 5 | With time, there are possibilities for better shifts or hours. I may be appointed to office work (billing, records) with experience. |
| Job Security | 4 | All nurses are always at risk. With the depressed economy, there are many cuts in staff and there have been hospital closures. |
| Earnings Potential | 4 | At first I thought I was making good money, but as time passes by I realize it is not enough considering the stress I go through every day. Although is is very rewarding, it is very stressful, both physically and emotionally. |
| How Stressful | 10 | Nursing can be very stressful. With the amount of responsibilities, it is impossible to not to be stressed. |
| Task Variety | 4 | I think it depends on where you work. Because every patient is unique and different, they require different treatments and approaches. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 3 | I would not call nursing a cool career. I take it very seriously. We are dealing with people's lives. |
| Career Flexibility | 8 | Nurses are needed anywhere and at any time. Hospitals are open 24 hours a day with no Holidays. There are no places without hospitals or clinics. |
| Social Orientation | 5 | Nursing requires teamwork. It is impossible to work alone. There are reports to be given between shifts. We are responsible for reporting any abnormal findings to supervisors. I consider communication with patients very important. |
Job Title: LPN
Attended: Pima Community College • Tucson, AZ
Studied Nursing (completion in 1999)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 3/14/2012
"I have been able to travel as an LPN. The compact state clause helps make this possible."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 10 | I had great instructors that were willing to give the time needed. They were very knowledgeable. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 5 | Promotion opportunities an LPN are limited. More opportunities are given to RNs |
| Job Security | 10 | I have been a nurse for 13 years. I feel very secure with my job skills. |
| Earnings Potential | 1 | LPNs do not get paid what they are worth. The potential for raises are not as great as they are for RNs. |
| How Stressful | 10 | LPNs are given more work than RNs. They not only have the stress of taking care of patients, but they have to deal with the supervision of RNs as well. |
| Task Variety | 5 | Depending on which type of patients LPNs take care of, daily tasks vary. If you are in an environment like assisted living, then there is normally a schedule. In a hospital setting, tasks vary. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 1 | LPNs do not get prestige like RNs do. LPNs do more work for less money and they don't get enough credit for what they do. |
| Career Flexibility | 5 | |
| Social Orientation | 10 | LPNs have to work with doctors, hospice, other nurses, and families. This job is all about social interactions with others. |
Job Title: LPN
Attended: Ivy Tech • South Bend, IN
Studied Nursing (completion in 2010)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 3/11/2012
"I enjoy what I do in general. I would like to be able to do more for my patients though. I think I would be better off as a Trauma RN."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 6 | Ivy Tech did a good job of training me for my job. They were able to assist me in finding a job after graduation at a local nursing home. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 3 | As an LPN there is not a lot of move up opportunity. We generally tend to help out the RN's. The management positions tend to be for those with an RN degree. |
| Job Security | 6 | I feel my job is secure because we always seem to be short handed on nursing staff. Many people do not like the medical profession and we're always in need of medical personnel. |
| Earnings Potential | 4 | LPN's in my area do not make a lot of money. It's not horrible money, but it's not great either. If I were to go back to school and get my RN, I would see a big pay increase. |
| How Stressful | 6 | I find my job stressful due to the fact that we have so many sick, elderly people. Many have dementia and they can be pretty mean. You deal with dying people, etc. |
| Task Variety | 5 | I tend to do the same things daily. Take medications to patients. Assist patients to the restroom. Clean them up, help them shower. But sometimes we get a resident that is in need of medical treatment and we have to assist them with their issue until paramedics arrive. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 2 | There is no glamor or excitement in changing and cleaning up elderly people after their messes. There can be some excitement if you were to get a position in the ER, but those are not as common due to the ER's using RNs. |
| Career Flexibility | 10 | It is pretty easy to find an LPN job. I am always seeing or hearing about different medical facilities hiring part time, full time or PRN positions. There are many opportunities to travel to patients homes to take care of them as well, for example Hospice. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | I am always talking and socializing with the people who live in our nursing home. Their families are in and out too, and we talk with them very frequently as well. |
Job Title: Licensed Vocational Nurse
Attended: American Career College • Los Angeles, CA
Studied LVN (completion in 2009)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 3/10/2012
"I am satisfied with the credentials and the type of work I am able to do, however I would still like to continue on and get a registered nursing degree. Nowadays, hospitals only accept registered nurses."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 7 | It was a very informative and overall satisfactory course. The price and the organization was a bit off, however. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 7 | The opportunities to expand varies with the determination of the VN. There are a lot of varying certificates such as MDS or hospice certs that help the VN work in more specialized fields. |
| Job Security | 8 | LVN in the field is pretty secure. However, there are the times when the VN needs to work 2 jobs to survive in the current economy. |
| Earnings Potential | 8 | Earnings are satisfactory. The job market offers less and less compensation each year due to the economy, though. |
| How Stressful | 10 | In an LTC the work is VERY stressful. However, in other places, the work is not as daunting. |
| Task Variety | 10 | Different patients everyday keep VNs on their toes. Daily tasks vary depending on the surroundings. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 7 | The VN position is cool when acute cases are being handed. Another cool factor is the job security. |
| Career Flexibility | 8 | Home health agencies provide the most flexibility in the VN career field. Home care visits and shift care vary, however. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | In the healthcare business, social interaction is unavoidable. It is its strength. |
Job Title: LPN
Attended: Heartland Community College • Normal, IL
Studied Practical Nursing (completion in 2011)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 3/24/2012
"I'm happy to be working in the medical field but would rather be an RN. I want to move up in my career."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 9 | It is a very competitive program to get into. I felt very prepared once I began working. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 3 | I could probably make more money at a nursing home. If I went back to school, I could get promoted without a problem. |
| Job Security | 5 | I know that I can always find a job as an LPN, however, it may not be what I want to do. Most hospitals and physicians offices prefer Registered Nurses over me. |
| Earnings Potential | 10 | Currently, I can always work over time. In the future, I can continue to educate myself in order to be promoted. |
| How Stressful | 10 | I am responsible for people's lives. I have a lot of things to get done on charts and still have to answer to patients' call lights as well as pass meds. |
| Task Variety | 9 | I can be doing any number of things on a patient in a given day, but there are always certain tasks I must complete. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 2 | There is nothing glamorous about nursing. There is a definite excitement factor, though. I never know what can come my way in a night. |
| Career Flexibility | 10 | I can always work as much overtime as I would like to. My unit is very willing to work with my schedule. |
| Social Orientation | 7 | The ladies are always gabbing around the nurses' station. We all know about each other's friends and family. |
Job Title: LPN
Attended: Tennessee Wesleyan College • Athens, TN
Studied Nursing (completion in 2011)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 3/18/2012
"I am very satisfied with my job because of my pay and the flexibility. I also enjoy helping people. It gives me a sense of purpose in life."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 10 | Tennessee Wesleyan College was a fantastic school for nursing. Any time I needed help with anything, the faculty and staff were there. They helped me get to where I am today. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 5 | I feel that in a nursing career, one of the only ways to get promoted is through more education. That is how the majority of jobs are. That is why I chose average. |
| Job Security | 10 | With the unemployment rate the way it is now, nursing is a very secure job to get into. I never feel as though I may lose my job or get laid off because there is always a need for nurses. |
| Earnings Potential | 8 | In my area, nursing is a very good job when it comes to earnings. I would not necessarily call it lucrative, but it is definitely a career you can live comfortably off of. |
| How Stressful | 8 | In my opinion, nursing is very stressful. I get very close to my patients, almost as if they were a part of my family. Therefore, when something bad happens to them, it affects me. Also, on the busy days, I feel as though if I can't get to everyone as soon as they want me to get to them, I am doing them a disservice. This is why I sometimes find it stressful. |
| Task Variety | 7 | In my opinion, many of the tasks are similar. These include the paperwork, cleaning, etc. However, every day there are different patients with different ailments, and that makes my job much more interesting. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 5 | I rated this at a five because to most, nursing is not a very "cool" job. Although it is very exciting, it is never glamorous. Sometimes it is tedious with so much paperwork and small handiwork, such as cleaning. |
| Career Flexibility | 10 | Nursing is an extremely flexible job. While there are not so many opportunities to work at home, there are nursing jobs everywhere. Also, there are many different types of nursing jobs. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | In any type of nursing career, you are constantly interacting with others. Interaction with patients and coworkers is key in my job. |
Job Title: LPN - Med/Surge
Attended: Mid-East Ohio Vocational School • Zanesville, OH
Studied LPN (completion in 2003)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 3/18/2012
"I think my job is very rewarding. There are a lot of options out there. I work in a hospital, but have done hospice, nursing home, and home health."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 9 | I went while I was in high school, so I graduated with my nursing degree as well. They covered all the basics and I only had one teacher per year to get to know. She knew all of us and our strengths and weaknesses. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 6 | I went from LPN I to LPN II while working here. I also have an opportunity to move to LPN III and IV through the clinical ladders at my work. I did not take advantage of these though. |
| Job Security | 4 | The problem is a lot of places are trying to go to RN's only. For example, at my job, if you did not already work there as an LPN, then you will not get hired. They are only hiring RN's at this point |
| Earnings Potential | 8 | I went from a very low pay scale when I first started working to a much higher scale. Also, with the clinical ladders you can get your pay scale even higher. |
| How Stressful | 10 | You have people's lives in your hands every minute of every day. You also have to make sure your charting is perfect in case of emergencies or lawsuits. |
| Task Variety | 8 | Days are never the same while working as a nurse. You have a day that is smooth as butter. Then you come in the next day with the same people and you have 1 code blue, 1 operation, 2 discharges, and 2 admissions. It always changes. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 8 | A lot of people look up to you while you are a nurse. I have had many people tell me how they would love to be a nurse, but just aren't that type of Angel. People say only Angels can be nurses. |
| Career Flexibility | 8 | I love my work schedule. I choose it. I can choose my vacations and PTO days. If I need to go part time for a while, it is very possible. I can change floors or offices if I need to. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | I meet some of my best friends at work. A lot of them are nurses and one of them was a patient. You have to go in and meet 5+ new people every day. |
Job Title: Surgical Trauma ICU Nurse
Attended: Radford University • Radford, VA
Studied Nursing (completion in 2009)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 3/22/2012
"I love my job and taking care of patients, however at times I am very frustrated with the lack of support we get. I also find the politics and insurance companies interfering with proper patient care disheartening at times."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 10 | At Radford, I feel as if I was given all of the attention and training I needed to succeed following graduation. Our teachers both in the classroom and in clinical settings were always there to help us learn our job properly and make sure we would become productive members of the medical team. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 4 | Becoming a nurse is not done to climb the corporate ladder, it is done to help people. Our job offers the opportunity to become a teacher or even a supervisor, but nothing that I find to be substantial and all opportunities to become promoted normally result in loss of patient contact. |
| Job Security | 10 | Nursing is at a shortage. I find even within our hospital our floors are understaffed, leaving us to take care of more patients than we would normally handle. I don't feel that will change at any time in the future and I will always be able to find a job within the healthcare field. |
| Earnings Potential | 7 | We work hard, but are compensated accordingly. Also, with longer shifts there is the potential to work at numerous facilities, making earnings potentials proportional to the motivation of an individual. |
| How Stressful | 6 | I think it depends on your career choice. If you work in an ICU or surgical setting, these patients can die and caring for them requires close attention and care. However, if you work in a nursing home or on a floor in the hospital where patients are not as sick, the level of stress dramatically decreases, although will always be present. |
| Task Variety | 10 | Each patient is different and with each issue comes a different approach and treatment plan. Not all patients respond to the same treatments and therefore daily adjustments are made to ensure that they recover in the best way possible. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 6 | Nurses are the silent heroes. Patients remember us if we are nice or mean. Families remember us for how willing we are to be their advocate, but at the end of the day, the physician is looked at as the top of the totem poll and the "savior" of their family member. Nurses are another member of the team that makes it happen. |
| Career Flexibility | 10 | We have the option at my hospital of working 8 or 12 hour shifts any time of day. That not only gives us flexibility within the hospital, but also to have additional sources of income by working hours with a home health agency or even another hospital. Also if we want to change the speciality within the hospital and focus on another patient area, that is possible to. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | Nurses are the patient advocate. We are the primary mediator between the physician, the patient, and the family. If we are not social beings and make the patient feel at ease, their recovery may not be as quick as expected. |
Job Title: Licensed Practical Nurse
Attended: Tennessee Technology Center • Morristown, TN
Studied Practical Nursing (completion in 2000)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 3/22/2012
"Nursing is a very stressful job, at times a nurse is doing the job of 2.5 nurses. I have found in every job I've had there are never enough nurses on duty to complete your job correctly and safely."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 7 | It was a one year program and all the instructors were very knowledgeable and helpful. I was also able to commute to and from school by car. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 3 | An LPN is an LPN. To be promoted, more schooling is needed (RN). |
| Job Security | 3 | Because of working conditions, it is easy to make mistakes and lose your job. |
| Earnings Potential | 7 | I consider an LPN wage acceptable. Regular raises for performance, and cost of living. |
| How Stressful | 10 | Too much work for one nurse to complete in a shift. Always worried about making errors that can harm someone and cause you to lose your job. |
| Task Variety | 5 | Depending on what unit or facility a nurse works in, it can vary by different patients coming and going. In a long term care facility it is usually the same thing day after day. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 1 | When you are in a situation where a patient is combative, demented, an alcoholic, a drug addict, or incontinent of bowel and bladder, it's not cool at all! Because of nursing shortages, one nurse is extremely overloaded with work - again not cool. |
| Career Flexibility | 5 | Because of staff shortages, it is hard to have any type of flexibility in hours. Work at home is not an option when working in a clinical environment. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | Constant contact with other staff. Constant interaction with patients. |
Job Title: LPN
Attended: Arkansas Tech University • Ozark, AR
Studied Nursing (completion in 2003)
Highest relevant degree: Associate's
• Submitted: 3/22/2012
"I feel that I make a good impact in my patient's lives. I am able to use my knowledge to help them."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 8 | The school was tough, but I feel that I knew what I need to know by graduation. The hands on experience helped. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 4 | I don't think there is a lot of opportunity for LPN's because of the lack of a bachelor's degree. Most promotions go to the RN's. |
| Job Security | 8 | I am in the DME business and although it is competitive, there will always be a need for it. I feel that I am helping the patients, and therefore I am needed. |
| Earnings Potential | 3 | The earnings aren't very good. There is a cap that you won't be able to get past without furthering your education. |
| How Stressful | 3 | My position isn't stressful. I work for a small company and get the opportunity to take my time with my patients. |
| Task Variety | 3 | I pretty much do the same things daily. There are rare occasions when something out of the ordinary occurs. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 2 | The LPN is looked down upon. Most people want the nurse to be an RN. They think LPNs aren't educated. |
| Career Flexibility | 2 | There are few places that will hire LPNs now. The ones that do don't pay well. |
| Social Orientation | 7 | Although most of my patients are elderly, I do get the opportunity on a daily basis to visit. They are always willing to stop and share a story. |
Job Title: CT Transporter - LPN
Attended: Flathead Valley Community College • Kalispell, MT
Studied Nursing - LPN Program (completion in 2014)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 3/17/2012
"The job market for LPNs in Kalispell is limited. I was not able to get a job in a unit at the hospital and did not want to work at the SNF. I basically work as a patient care tech doing transport for CT and MRI in the hospital. I like that I have a job but would rather be doing direct patient care."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 5 | I was able to pass my boards, so they must have prepared me well. There are no other schools close to compare it too, so I am assuming because they are accredited they are just as good as the next. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 1 | There is no level 2 transporter. I would have to take a different job to get a promotion and I hear they are not going to hire any more LPNs in the acute care units anymore. |
| Job Security | 3 | The job of transporting patients is not going anywhere any time soon, but some of the other transporters I work with are only at the CNA level and my credentials make me over qualified. The hospital may decide one day they don't want to pay me the extra $2/hour because I'm an LPN and ask me to take a different position or a hike. |
| Earnings Potential | 1 | I make $11.75 and hour and will max out at $15.00. Considering I am single and the cost of living is not too high in Kalispell, I will be able to live comfortably but will have to save up for a while to do anything. |
| How Stressful | 3 | I don't see patients for very long and don't have to help them with much. I get to sit a lot waiting for the CT or MRI to be over. My best days are when I get a few MRI transports and get to go do other transports; I would prefer a little more "stress" or pressure in my job. |
| Task Variety | 7 | Every day I transport new and different patients. The only patients I see more than once are from the floor. And I always push a gurney or wheelchair - that doesn't change. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 2 | I push patients from their rooms or admitting to the CT or MRI and back. I personally don't feel cool, although others think I am because I am always headed somewhere. |
| Career Flexibility | 3 | There are just enough of us to cover all the shifts with very little overlap. I am asked to work overtime when the others take time off, and others have to cover my shifts when I take them off. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | I am constantly meeting someone new. I consider myself professional, but do talk non-business with the patients. |
Job Title: LPN
Attended: Erie 2 Chautauqua Cattaraugus BOCES • Angola, NY
Studied Practical Nursing (completion in 2006)
Highest relevant degree: Associate's
• Submitted: 3/28/2012
"I have always wanted to be a nurse to care for others for a long time. I am very compassionate for my job and love helping others, so I am very satisfied with my career choice."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 10 | My school had a very nice schedule for the LPN program and the instructors were had great backgrounds. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 9 | It really depends on where you work. In a nursing home, you have the opportunity to become a charge nurse. Same with working in a hospital, you can become a floor nurse, etc. Getting promoted is one thing, but to really get promoted, like to RN, you have to go back to school for that. |
| Job Security | 7 | I am not sure about my job security so much anymore. I think it varies with each state, but once in awhile society changes to wanting only RN's and then it goes back to wanting LPN's. I at least have the opportunity to advance to RN if needed. |
| Earnings Potential | 8 | It depends on where you go, but you can always better yourself and go for different certificate programs and learn knew things. With each new certificate and learning experience, comes more pay. Where you work also influences your earning potential. Nursing homes pay more than hospitals, for example. |
| How Stressful | 10 | This job is very stressful. You care for others and sometimes forget about yourself. As I said previously, there is always opportunity for overtime whether you want it or not, and sometimes that is stressful to have to choose between work and family. You are always stressed to make the best decision as well. |
| Task Variety | 10 | Depending on where you work, you don't always have the same patients. Each patient is different in almost every way. Plus, technology and medicine changes just about everyday as well. Each day always brings something different. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 10 | I think my job is "cool." It's something I have always wanted to do and I feel respected in this career. Family and friends also think it's "cool" when they find out you're a nurse. Nurses call the shots, that's why! Plus, you get to wear any color and patterned scrubs as well. You also get to play with all kinds of equipment and you see how technology advances everyday! |
| Career Flexibility | 7 | Again, it depends on where you work. You have the flexibility to work at different places on a per diem basis and get paid more, but have no benefits. Or, there is always the opportunity for overtime. For work at home, there could be some telecommuting that you could do for medical billing, etc. There is always a possibility of working part time anywhere you go. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | You have to constantly deal with one to one interaction with not only the patients you care for, but their families as well. You also have to deal with outside vendors and doctors and other staff. You have co-workers that you constantly deal with as well. |
Job Title: Licensed Practical Nurse
Attended: St Paul College • St. Paul, MN
Studied LPN (completion in 2009)
Highest relevant degree: Associate's
• Submitted: 4/7/2012
"It is a rewarding career. It is very hard, though, and you are always under the gun."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 6 | They have teachers who have spent too long teaching, and have begun to be irritated by the students. They also have too many students in one classroom. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 10 | Promotions are huge in the nursing field. You can really work your way up. |
| Job Security | 9 | There are always opportunities to be a LPN. Everyone needs a nurse at some point. |
| Earnings Potential | 9 | You can only go up in the scale. The ladder is climbable. |
| How Stressful | 10 | Everyone is watching you. You are constantly scrutinized. |
| Task Variety | 9 | Variety is the spice of life. In this job, you are dealing with humans, and that can mean unpredictability. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 10 | It is hard schooling. It is something to be proud of. |
| Career Flexibility | 9 | Lots of opportunity to have varied hours. Flexibility is a big plus in the nursing field. |
| Social Orientation | 4 | There is not a lot of time for socialization. It is usually too busy. |
Job Title: Clinical Nurse Reviewer
Attended: Northwest College • Powell, WY
Studied Nursing (completion in 1998)
Highest relevant degree: Associate's
• Submitted: 4/3/2012
"I love to help people and that is why I became a nurse. I now help doctors and their staff, as opposed to patients, but all in all it is still rewarding."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 10 | The training I received was wonderful. I enjoyed the smaller class size and the individual help that I might not have had at a larger school. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 8 | I think the opportunity for advancement is less than it might be in other positions. With that said, there is some room for advancement if you do your job well. I fully expect to be a trainer within one year. |
| Job Security | 10 | The company is aggressively seeking nurses, as there are many positions to fill. I am very secure in my job. |
| Earnings Potential | 9 | I am not paid hourly, but instead paid on a per case basis. To some degree I have control, and as I get more familiar with the computer program, I expect to see my earnings increase. |
| How Stressful | 3 | The job is very low stress. I work from a home office, and so while I do deal with people on the phone, it is not the same as it would be in person. |
| Task Variety | 4 | The tasks that I do everyday are generally the same. They differ due to the fact that I am always talking to new people. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 5 | There really is no glamor in my job, but I am okay with that. I get to spend every lunch break with my two dogs, and to me that is cool. |
| Career Flexibility | 10 | This position is very flexible. I do have a set schedule, but I work from home. I don't worry about uniforms, traffic, or running late anymore. I enjoy the full time work from home. |
| Social Orientation | 3 | I work from a home office, and social interaction is at a minimum. We do have occasional group conference calls, but that is about it. |
Job Title: Staff Nurse
Attended: East Central College • Union, MO
Studied Nursing (completion in 2008)
Highest relevant degree: Associate's
• Submitted: 3/25/2012
"I am happy that I have a good-paying job without huge student debt. I also love my patients and the interactions we have daily. I wish I could do more treatments that are restricted to RN's at my workplace."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 9 | I had great camaraderie and I felt like my teachers were very passionate about education and molding the future of the career. I would absolutely recommend the program to others who are interested. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 1 | We only have a few shift leaders. These are always RNs, so I could not be eligible unless I went back to school. |
| Job Security | 8 | I feel the entire healthcare field is very secure because it will always be needed. My particular place of work is very profitable and therefore I am not worried. |
| Earnings Potential | 5 | I cannot move up the ladder, but I do get paid more each year for staying there. I have a yearly review which results in an increase in pay. |
| How Stressful | 4 | The workload can be a lot sometimes, but overall I do not take my work home with me. I enjoy the fast pace because it makes my shift go by quickly. |
| Task Variety | 8 | No two days and no two patients are the same. There is great variation in my work. This means I am constantly learning. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 7 | I have the opportunity to see a wide variety of disease states that I consider cool. A lot of my family is impressed by the work I do, so I feel proud of my job. |
| Career Flexibility | 7 | There are many locations I could work from, which could vary from schools to hospitals and skilled facilities. It's great that I could work only as needed or I also have the opportunity to pick up extra shifts for overtime pay. |
| Social Orientation | 5 | I talk to my co-workers, the patients, and the patient families. My documentation is key so my communication skills must be of high quality. |
Job Title: Treatment Nurse
Attended: High Desert Medical College • Lancaster, CA
Studied LVN (completion in 2011)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 3/28/2012
"It finally got me to a wage were I can have money for myself and others. I feel as though I can comfortably have a family now. Plus, I'm in a spot where I can do a bit more schooling and move up in the ladder."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 5 | My school did not offer any certificate training other than the very basic. I had to get my I.V. certifications among other things. But I have to say I did get a job, so it did the trick that it was meant for. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 5 | Those spots are already filled by people who have years of nursing experience over me. I never really thought of getting a "promotion," but rather climbing up by getting more education. I am happy where I am for the moment. |
| Job Security | 9 | There are a lot of places that I hear about that are hiring. I look at craigslist.org for jobs every now and I see multiple job openings. I can even go out of state or into Canada if I really want a job out there. |
| Earnings Potential | 8 | The more you work with less stable clients, the more you get paid. For example, hospice nurses earn at least $5 more per hour than I make as a treatment nurse. There is also an option to work in a prison which also pays significantly higher than my current job. But I put 8 because I'm a single guy with no kids or house payments or car payments. |
| How Stressful | 8 | Starting out as a new nurse, I was a bit shocked. I suddenly had people's lives in my hands. I was and still am afraid that I will mess up, give the wrong medication, pour the wrong solution, or preform the procedure incorrectly. But I recently became a treatment nurse and it is so much less stressful because I do not always have to keep checking on little things, instead I just leave right when I am done with the treatment. I know LVNs are suppose to have stable patients, but every once in a while you get a patient that quickly declines in health inside nursing homes. When that happens it becomes a really tough moment even if the RN or doctor is by your side. |
| Task Variety | 3 | As an LVN dealing with stable clients, I don't get to do too much. Basically all I do is dressing changes, catherizations, and reports. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 8 | As a male it is not too exciting when I say I am a nurse. They have an idea that only women should be nurses. Regardless of what others may think, I take pride in being a nurse because I can care and help out others. I can see the results right before my eyes. I directly help people. This is more than I can say for most people. |
| Career Flexibility | 10 | As a home health nurse, I get to work whenever I want to. I also travel around doing so. People are always getting injured and I will be there if I choose to be. |
| Social Orientation | 8 | In nursing you are directly working with people, and there is a big chance that your patient is going to talk to you. Also, interactions are made with other professionals. |
Job Title: Performance Improvement Manager
Attended: University Of Miami • Miami, FL
Studied Nursing (completion in 2005)
Highest relevant degree: Bachelor's
• Submitted: 4/1/2012
"I began as a floor nurse in OB/GYN, but the emotional strain got to me and I realized that I didn't enjoy floor nursing as much as I thought I would. There was a position open in my hospital for a PI Quality Manager position, and the fact that I am an LPN only helped my chances for it. I really enjoy where I am at now."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 10 | UM really has a wonderful Nursing program. They have great labs and buildings. It's a very hands on degree and I feel I was really prepared when I began my career. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 10 | There are literally endless possibilities for a nurse. I went to the corporate spectrum of hospital duties, and as a nurse, I had an extra perk when it came for applying for the job. As for floor nursing, there are a plethora of departments and specialties that a nurse can shoot for. |
| Job Security | 9 | Nurses are always needed. I live in Miami still, and granted, nursing is a bit competitive here as there has been a recent influx of nurses, it is still a sought after position to fill especially if you have experience. |
| Earnings Potential | 10 | Again, potential is what you make of it in nursing. You can make tons of money if you're smart and you're a go-getter. Nurses on average make a nice $25-30/hour starting out here in Miami. The trick is to get a salary job, then you really start bringing in the bucks. If you go on the corporate end of hospital affairs as a nurse, you get way more money. They take into account your years as a floor nurse as experience and that puts you into an entirely different bracket than say a business major going into hospital affairs. |
| How Stressful | 10 | Nursing is notoriously stressful. You're expected to know nearly (in some aspects more) than a doctor and you get paid less and respected less. The hours, especially when beginning your career, are long and hectic. A hospital floor can go from monotonously calm to uncontrollably hectic in a snap of the fingers. |
| Task Variety | 9 | You have a lot of the same duties daily, like taking down vitals and medical history, but overall the variation in duties is pretty wide. You never know what's going to walk in that door and you never know what new tasks may have to be performed. I think it's definitely a job for those who can think on their feet and not only do the same things daily but also be able to switch things up and do what is necessary. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 8 | I think being a nurse is pretty cool. You get to help people daily, and although I am no longer working face-to-face with patients, I still feel a sense of pride with my job. |
| Career Flexibility | 10 | Again, there are a lot of possibilities for a nurse in today's day and age. You can work at a myriad of different positions in a hospital. And if you're someone like me who is planning to go back to school, you can work around a very flexible schedule. There is a lot of per-diem work too for extra cash on the side. |
| Social Orientation | 9 | You meet new people daily as a floor nurse. Doctors come in and out, and you have your regular staff doctors, and the same thing with nurses. You also meet new patients daily, and for the most part, patients can be very sweet and appreciative. Especially if you show them respect, I keep in contact with many of the mothers I helped deliver. |
Job Title: Wound Care Coordinator
Attended: Howard College At Big Spring Texas • Big Spring, TX
Studied Nursing (completion in 1979)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 3/29/2012
"I love nursing. Even though that was not my first choice when I went to college, I just stumbled into this nursing program. I really love being a member of the medical community."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 10 | It only took me a year to finish this program. I got a state license, and was able to move up the ladder very far with it. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 10 | There are lot of opportunities for LPNs to get promoted. LPNs can go very far in the medical field. They can do research (which I have done), be in charge of a department, be in charge of a unit, and much more. |
| Job Security | 10 | This is a good, secure job, because there will always be sick people and people in need of health care. |
| Earnings Potential | 10 | I feel it depends on the area a person lives. The earnings in my area are very promising. |
| How Stressful | 5 | Nursing can be stressful one day and not the next day. Or it could be extremely stressful for an hour or two and then not stressful at all. So it depends on the person. Some people cannot handle things of this nature, and they might say it is extremely stressful. |
| Task Variety | 10 | Daily tasks are different in a hospital or sometimes in other areas of nursing. Each day there is a different challenge to overcome when dealing with people. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 10 | In my career, I have met many famous people, and seen many things that people would not think could happen. I have saved lives - I'm not bragging, but that is what nursing is. Some times you don't think about what life you saved that day, only the lives that you could not save. |
| Career Flexibility | 10 | Nursing is flexible. There are all types of shifts for LPNs in Home Health, Nursing Homes, Hospitals and clinics. Their times can be very flexible and there is a lot of schedules to choose from. My schedule is very flexible. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | Dealing with people is the job. There is social interaction all the time in nursing. |
Job Title: Licensed Practical Nurse - Field Nurse
Attended: Kiamichi Technology Center • Hugo, OK
Studied Licensed Practical Nursing (completion in 2009)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 4/6/2012
"I absolutely love my career choice. Being an LPN is very gratifying in many ways."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 10 | KTC in Hugo, OK is one of the highest ranked schools in Oklahoma. The teachers, curriculum, and resources are amazing. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 5 | At the rural home health center I work at there are limited promotional opportunities. We only have 7 nurses and have all been there for several years. I believe we are all very content with our jobs right now. |
| Job Security | 10 | My job as a home health field nurse is very secure due to the increase elderly and ill people. The need for nurses in this field is extremely high. |
| Earnings Potential | 8 | LPNs in the home health setting make more than LPNs in a hospital setting. We also have the potential to make more earnings with on-call, weekend, and after hour visits. |
| How Stressful | 7 | An LPN has responsibilities that are quite stressful at times. I have had people's lives at stake and had to make quick, important decisions. |
| Task Variety | 5 | I see patients in their home everyday. However, every patient, home, and diagnosis is different. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 5 | Being a nurse is not very glamorous, but is very cool. I think it is cool because of the ways we get to help people. |
| Career Flexibility | 10 | The flexibility is one of my favorite parts of my job. The home health center operates from 8 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday. We may take breaks and lunch or move our patients when we have our children's school functions, doctor appointments, and other needs. |
| Social Orientation | 7 | I am in the public often and always around people. It is a great way to meet new and different people as well as see them at home in their own environments. |
Job Title: Licensed Practical Nurse
Attended: Roper Hospital School Of Practical Nursing • Charleston, SC
Studied Practical Nursing (completion in 2004)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 4/1/2012
"Many hospital are no longer hiring LPNs. It's hard to find a job only in nursing homes and doctors offices."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 8 | It was very competitive. I found my first job very easily, and my employer was very happy with my skills. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 1 | Since I'm not working at the moment, I can't get promoted. Since work isn't available, I will promote myself by continuing my nursing education. |
| Job Security | 1 | I am currently unemployed. I moved to a city where LPNs are no longer hired by the hospital systems. |
| Earnings Potential | 5 | LPNs don't make the big bucks. It's an average job. Better than working at a fast food restaurant, but definitely not a doctor's salary. |
| How Stressful | 8 | I worked for 7 doctors. Lots of screaming babies and new moms make for a rough job. |
| Task Variety | 1 | I gave shots everyday. I answered questions from parents everyday. Nothing new or exciting. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 4 | RNs make me feel the worst about my job. They feel that just because they have maybe one more year of school makes them incredibly more superior. I loved my job in the pediatricians office. Don't care what anyone else thinks. |
| Career Flexibility | 5 | This job can't be flexible when LPNs are being phased out. You have to take what you can get. Maybe it's just my current location, but LPNs are practically non-existent here. |
| Social Orientation | 10 | I met wonderful people. New doctors, drug reps, etc. Through them, I was able to meet other LPNs in the area. |
Job Title: LPN
Attended: Tennessee Technology School • Mcminnville, TN
Studied LPN (completion in 2004)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 4/3/2012
"Being an LPN requires more overtime than I had realized. The nurse to patient ratio makes things stressful."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 8 | The teachers worked really hard to help the students after class. The teachers tried to prepare us for the real world of nursing. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 5 | LPNs don't have many opportunities for promotions within that title. In order to truly get promoted, an LPN would need to earn their RN. |
| Job Security | 6 | There seems to always be an LPN position open somewhere, however, the shift or pay isn't always desirable. If you are willing and able to work any shift and possibly have a longer commute, you can probably find work. |
| Earnings Potential | 5 | LPN's don't make enough for the job they have to do. If you want to make more money, go for your RN. |
| How Stressful | 10 | There seems to be too much to do in not enough time. Patients deserve the very best and there should be changes made to increase the nurse to patient ratio. |
| Task Variety | 5 | A lot of the work is repetitive in a long term care facility, but you can always expect at least a few surprises. Hospitals have a larger turnover rate, so expect different things. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 5 | This is not a "cool" job. It is very serious and you are responsible for many lives. It is honorable to be a nurse. |
| Career Flexibility | 6 | It would be pretty easy to have part time work as an LPN. It's not possible to work at home as an LPN. |
| Social Orientation | 5 | You get to help people in your community. If you work as a nurse liaison you get involved with marketing. |
Job Title: Floor Nurse
Attended: Louisiana Technical College • Leesville, LA
Studied Practical Nursing (completion in 2001)
Highest relevant degree: Certificate
• Submitted: 4/4/2012
"I need to move forward and earn my RN. LPN is a little bit limiting."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| School Rating | 9 | They were excellent in providing knowledge. I would have given them a 10 except that I felt like I was treated like a Junior High student. |
| Opportunity for Promotion | 4 | Without furthering your education, you won't get promoted as an LPN. There are only so many jobs available as an LPN. |
| Job Security | 7 | I live in a rural area. There is a local college that is graduating RNs every year. I am almost obsolete. |
| Earnings Potential | 6 | LPNs make a decent amount. I can actually make more than our local police officers, but it isn't enough to really make a living in this area. As an RN, I will be able to increase my pay by about 50%. |
| How Stressful | 9 | The lives of your patients depend on you doing your job. It is also stressful when you have state agencies come into your facility and follow you around and ask you how many times you have made medication errors. |
| Task Variety | 6 | By working in a nursing home, it is pretty much the same thing every day. The changes come when we get new patients. I think if I were to have my RN, I would be able to work at the hospital, then the tasks would change more. |
| How Cool Is The Career | 4 | There is not much glamor in wiping people's behinds. I don't know how cool I am by giving medication to people, but I know that I am doing something important. |
| Career Flexibility | 6 | Due to the nursing shortage, nurses can, often times, write their own schedules. However, the facilities still utilize shift schedules. |
| Social Orientation | 6 | You always work with your patients. You sometimes interact with your CNAs, but other nurses are usually involved with their own patients. |
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