Start with an personal inventory of your knowledge/skills set for yourself now (as a person), then get the job descriptions your current job position, an LPN, and an RN. If the LPN and RN are in with a different employer….get the job descriptions from those organizations.

To do the personal inventory, use the SCANS checklists developed by the US Dept of Labor….detailing specific work tasks employers want employees to be able to do. You can get the list by visiting http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/public/clubextra.html?nclubid=893282700&nid=268367529

Once you have these inventories done, you compare/contrast them to see where you stand. You can see how well your knowledge and skills match your existing job, and what you knowledge/skills you need to get to be able to do the job of an LPN or an RN.

Filling the gaps requires schooling…and licensing. So now, you start to find out the schools you can attend to get the knowledge and skills you require to get to the LPN or RN jobs.

When you do go to school, continue to use the SCANS lists to see exactly what knowledge and skills you get from each class that moves you closer to your goal. Also, spotting any shortfalls now gives you time to acquire the knowledge and skills to close those gaps BEFORE you try for those new jobs.

Also, check out the income tax laws about educational tax deductions….http://www.irs.gov/publications/p970/

then talk with your accountant or a tax preparer AND your current employer. See if any of the courses you have to take for the LPN or RN fit with improving your ability to do your present job (these could be deductible)….and how those courses might improve your current pay check, too (if possible).

As for pay…check out sites like www.salary.com

They can also tell you what happens in other states, give insight to benefit packages, and even project a sample pay check with tax deductions for various cities and states around the US so you can see how all of this might play out when you shift from your current position to either LPN or RN. The salary info even shows trends in pay increases through the stages of a typical career.

For the long haul, consider visiting the US Dept of Labor website at http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm to monitor employment trends for your field and for LPNs and RNs. Undoubtedly it will take some time for you to complete this transition….so it is important to know what the labor market trends/conditions might be when you finish. For example, if there is a high demand NOW, but it takes you 3 or more years to complete, it is more important for you to know what the labor market might be 3 years from now when you graduate.

Once you have done these “homework” steps, you can start to answer the other detailed questions you asked. Those kinds of questions can best be answered at the schools to which you would apply…as the courses you need to take, etc. are specifically determined by each school and State regulatory agency. But also consider there maybe licensing exams to take…and wait for the results before you could actually start working in the new field/job….timing is everything!

Throughout all of this, keep in mind that learning is a life long activity. It doesn’t end when you complete a degree or certificate. So there is NO rush when it comes to an education. Your big advantage right now is that you HAVE a job and experience. For most students, they graduate with a certificate/degree…and can’t answer the killer job interview question “So what kind of experience do you have?”

Don’t give up. But definitely do your homework so you know exactly what you are getting into and don’t get jerked around. It’s never to late to change as long as you really want to change.

Hope this helps you. Good luck and best wishes in your studies and career change.