LPNs play a significant role within the healthcare system by assisting patients with daily tasks and providing limited medical support.
They also help registered nurses and other medical professionals complete essential functions for ensuring adequate patient care.
With that said, a commonly asked question is, what are the compelling reasons to become an LPN?
Well, there are numerous incentives to become an LPN.
It includes entering the nursing profession quickly, limiting financial risk, pursuing a stable career, and determining if nursing is a good fit.
Beyond that, LPNs have career advancement paths and can pursue higher-level education degrees to expand their opportunities.
Overall, LPNs provide fantastic patient care, make it easier for other professionals to perform essential functions, and have numerous options for pursuing fulfilling careers.
Here are five excellent reasons to become an LPN.
1. It’s More Manageable Than Becoming an RN
Becoming an LPN is more accessible to entering healthcare than pursuing work as a registered nurse.
Many registered nurses and APRNs start careers as CNAs and LPNs to learn about the healthcare profession.
Consequently, they can earn an income and gain experience without the education and training requirements RNs must complete.
It’s a rewarding profession for current and aspiring LPNs with excellent job stability, decent pay, and continuous growth.
Beyond that, becoming an LPN provides a glance at what other healthcare professionals do daily.
As a result, LPNs learn about numerous professions they can pursue in the future if they decide to advance their education.
2. LPNs Enter Healthcare Faster
For those wanting to start a career in nursing, time and cost are significant factors that influence which career students pursue.
Therefore, the most significant benefit of becoming an LPN is that you enter healthcare quickly and at a lower cost.
Dedicated students can complete LPN training within one year.
Becoming an LPN takes about 1 – 2 years of education and training, with dedicated students completing the LPN program in a year.
Comparatively, the RN program requires 2 – 4 years of education, prerequisite courses, clinical, and other requirements.
With that said, students must also pass the NCLEX-PN exam to become licensed practical nurses.
Students who become LPNs learn what working in healthcare is like and better determine whether nursing is for them.
Moreover, LPNs get valuable nursing experience which helps with employment opportunities and career advancement.
It’s especially true for those that go on to become registered nurses.
Overall, Becoming an LPN offers a great experience, training, and income without many risks.
3. LPNs Can Transition to an LPN to RN Bridge Program
There is an LPN to RN bridge program for LPNs who want to further their careers.
Essentially, this allows LPNs to fast-track into the RN program, where they earn an ADN or BSN to become registered nurses.
The best part of the bridge program is that LPNs don’t have to retake previously completed courses.
As a result, they enter the RN program faster than starting from the beginning.
Furthermore, LPNs have work experience to help them enter the competitive RN program.
The RN program can be challenging to get accepted.
Many programs have limited seating, faculty shortages, and college requirements that prevent adequate space for all program applicants.
Therefore, a combination of excellent grades and valuable work experience improves your odds of getting into the program.
All students (including LPNs) must complete the program and pass the NCLEX-RN exam to become registered nurses.
However, LPNs have an advantage in future employment due to their prior work experience and training.
4. It’s Less Expensive Than Other Nursing Programs
The LPN program is less expensive to pursue and easier for students entering the nursing profession.
As a result, students learn the ins and outs of nursing and join the field without high financial/educational costs.
It’s great for those that aren’t 100% sure whether they want to pursue the RN program to earn their ADN or BSN degree.
After all, the RN program ordinarily takes 2 – 4 years to complete (plus time for completing prerequisite courses).
Moreover, students must take an entrance exam and compete for acceptance into the RN program.
Ultimately, this can extend the timeline required to become a registered nurse and make money.
The LPN program doesn’t require the same training, knowledge, and competitiveness to get started.
Therefore, the cost of entering the program is lower, and students complete the program faster.
If you are unsure whether nursing is for you, becoming an LPN allows you better determine your future with a less monetary cost.
It also doesn’t require as much educational obligation and time.
5. There are Plenty of Job Growth Opportunities
Nursing is one of the most prominent growing professions within the healthcare system. There are over 100 specializations nurses can pursue.
Even though LPNs have limited roles, they can become LPN instructors, travel nurses, and senior LPN leaders.
Moreover, those interested in high-level education can participate in the LPN to RN bridge program.
It will help them develop the knowledge, skills, and expertise to establish themselves as registered nurses.
From there, they open up numerous career paths that provide opportunities for almost every personality type.
For instance, registered nurses can pursue careers in-hospital care, education, research, law, forensics, entrepreneurship, and other distinguished professions.
Moreover, LPNs that become registered nurses can further their education and pursue careers as advanced practice registered nurses.
APRNs (advanced practice registered nurses) have the highest autonomy and carer opportunities at this level and receive the most pay.
For instance, APRNs operate as nurse anesthetists, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, and clinical nurse specialists.
They can even open their clinics and act as primary care providers for their patients. What’s more, they routinely earn six-figure incomes each year.
Is Becoming an LPN Right for You?
Becoming an LPN is a great way to determine whether nursing is ideal for you.
Furthermore, the fast entry into healthcare and low educational cost offer an excellent opportunity for aspiring nurses.
Beyond that, operating as an LPN allows people to gain experience and make money while becoming registered nurses.
For those working as LPNs, there are numerous opportunities to make money, advance within nursing and pursue a rewarding career.
Besides, it affords a larger view of the healthcare system allowing nurses to make informed career decisions before investing in an advanced degree.
As a result, LPNs discover career paths they may not have considered otherwise.
Finally, by connecting with registered nurses and other healthcare professionals, LPNs establish opportunities for future career development.
LPNs gain first-hand work experience, develop invaluable relationships and learn about the various medical professions.
Becoming an LPN is an excellent start if you enjoy working with others and want to provide essential medical care.
Hopefully, these five reasons to become an LPN helped determine your career as a nurse.
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