I'm sure that you've heard the saying "money can't buy happiness" more times than you can remember, just like I have. Whoever said that most likely had enough money to be comfortable, and certainly wasn't losing any sleep wondering how to afford decent housing or manage next year's school clothes for their children. Those of us who earn a living day in and day out working for hourly wages know the real truth about money though, and that truth is that lack of money is the root of most unhappiness!

We've all seen how home prices have soared in recent years. We all feel the bite at the gas pump, notice the rising cost of consumer goods, and wonder how we're ever going to afford to send our children to college one day. Worrying about money causes stress! Stress causes unhappiness and lack of pleasure in our work, our relationships, and every facet of our lives. As an LPN you don't have to put up with limited job options and the lower end of the nursing pay scale anymore!

**12 Months to A Quarter Million Dollar Raise**

Even if you absolutely love your present job I want you to think about a few things:

1. It is better to earn more per hour than less

2. It is even better if you can do that while still doing a job you love- perhaps even a job that you love more than the one you have now.

3. If you could achieve that without losing one cent of your pay along the way wouldn't it be well worthwhile?

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2006 national salary survey Registered Nurses earn approximately $15,000 more per year than Licensed Practical Nurses. Using that difference as a base an LPN who needed to work another fifteen years before retirement would earn an additional $225,000 over her remaining working years is she invested a mere twelve months to complete an online LPN to RN program. That figure is lower than actual earnings over the 15 year period of time because it doesn't account for pay raises, promotions, or cost of living adjustments. At $15,000 alone that still adds up to a quarter of a million dollars return for a 12 month investment.

Can you afford to pass that up? The time you spend at work is time away from your home, your family, and your children. Shouldn't you strive to make that time worth as much as possible rather than sell it cheaply? Your earning power helps determine the type of house your family can afford, the safety of the neighborhood you live in, the schools your children can attend, and plays a large role in the type of future your children can look forward to. A quarter million dollars more in earnings translates into the ability to help secure a better future for yourself and your family as well as the ability to invest money to ensure a better retirement outlook when the time comes. More earning power means your employer contributes more to your 401k, your social security retirement check will be larger, and it means less stress for you and those you love.

**Earn $30,000 More Next Year**

In order to compete for nurses hospitals are offering a wide variety of incentive programs such as recruitment bonuses (ranging anywhere from $2,000 to $20,000), relocation assistance, housing assistance, day care, tuition repayment and other measures to Registered Nurses who accept a position at their facility and agree to a work commitment. These recruitment bonuses are even available to new graduate RNs!

So, in addition to earning an average of $15,000 more in salary an LPN who completes an online LPN to RN program could shop around for the job she prefers, in the location she desires, and if she's smart will compare the recruitment bonuses and other perks being offered by a variety of potential employers and choose wisely. A $15,000 earnings increase coupled with a $15,000 recruitment bonus equals a $30,000 return on a 12 month investment!

**Become an RN in 12 Months While You Work**

LPNs can earn their accredited Associate Degree in Nursing in as little as 12 months completely online. With absolutely no classroom attendance to worry about and no waiting list before starting there's absolutely no reason for LPNs who would like to become RNs to miss this opportunity. Since class assignments are completed online LPNs who take advantage of this opportunity are able to keep their job and paycheck coming while they do their coursework when and wherever it's most convenient for them. While most employers offer tuition plans to help LPNs afford to go to school to get their RN degree financial aid is guaranteed for those that need additional assistance, and one nursing program even guarantees LPN's going through their program will pass the NCLEX-RN upon graduation! There is only one completely online LPN to RN program in the United States and LPNs who would like to learn more about it and get free information will find the details here: http://myonlinenursingdegree.com/lpn-to-rn-programs.html .