I'm an LPN trying to decide if I want to remain an LPN or go on to get my ADN. I was just wondering how many here on Allnurses plan to remain a LPN the rest of your career. Why did you make this decision? For those of you who are nearing the end of your career, why did you decide not to go onto school for your RN and do you regret your decision?

Also are you happy with your job?

I have been an LPN since 1997, I am now 26 and just started with Excelsior College to advance to get my RN. The reason is my husband is an RN and he just has so many more job options then I do, and I want the same options. However I am so glad that I got my LPN first, I wouldn't trade it for anything.

When I am able to commit fully to furthering my education, I will most likely get a degree in a related field, such as hospital administration. Not only will it save me from burnout, but I will always have a second skill in my back pocket.

I am not planning on staying a LPN. when i finish LPN school I am going right to finish my RN. around here, if you can find a hospital that will hire you the starting rate is 11.50 an hour. RNs start at 20.00 per hour. one hospital around here just layed off all 48 (not many to begin with) of their LPNs.

Kris

I am an LPN, have been one since 1984.

I started working on my RN in 1994? 95? Somewhere in there. Worked on it thru 97. Stopped for a while. Went again in 2001. Gave it up again.

At this point, it would NOT mean much of raise. I am one to two years away from maxing out in LPN pay at my facility, and that will be five dollars an hour MORE than RN grads start at.

Also, going to school is such a hassle, in terms of money and time. My kids are leaving home, my husband is thinking of retirement, and although I have 20 or 30 more years to work, I just don't know if I want to fool with it. Having peace and quiet and time for ME seems more important at this stage of my life!

The state where I live lets LPNs do IV push meds. The adjoining state where I work has just changed the law to let LPNs do IV push meds, which makes my job easier. I DON'T want to go into management, so I think I'll stay in my little LPN cubbyhole and be happy!

I was an LPN for two years. However, my ultimate goal was an RN since when I started school in 1990 - where I lived - there was little to no need for LPNs except in LTC which (at the time) I didn't want to do. Glad I did my RN - it gave me more options.

I am trying to not make that decision right now :chuckle With my family I know that clinic hours work the best and make me happiest. Heck, I will probably have to get a job as a medical assistant when I am done since LPN's are rarely used where I live. I chose to go for the LPN because it does offer me more options than the MA. I can work as an MA, ICU tech, IV tech, periop tech or continue on for RN once my children are much older. So I will make that decision when the time comes and leave my options open until then.

I'm an LPN trying to decide if I want to remain an LPN or go on to get my ADN. I was just wondering how many here on Allnurses plan to remain a LPN the rest of your career. Why did you make this decision? For those of you who are nearing the end of your career, why did you decide not to go onto school for your RN and do you regret your decision?

Also are you happy with your job?

Been LPN since 86'. Dropped out of the nursing for a few years (2000-2004)but came back due to the pay believe it or not. (Even here in FL :chuckle )

I personally feel it is too late or I am too lazy to go back to school and if I did it wouldn't be in nursing, unless it was an animal nursing . I regret not finishing my RN when I started (86') but I LOVE my LPN job...

I have been an LPN for almost 10 years and just finished my RN program, I enjoyed and LEARNED from my time as an LPN but.... YES, I am ready for more pay and respect!!!

Kim

Hello, Fellow Kentuckian! I like my little cubby hole too! I have only been an LPN for 3 years and thought about going back to school but ahhh, I kinda like the LPN title. Where I work which is for the state there would be no job promotions, not much of a pay increase. The only thing I have to look forward to is moving to day shift from 3-11 shift. Yippee!!

I am an LPN, have been one since 1984.

I started working on my RN in 1994? 95? Somewhere in there. Worked on it thru 97. Stopped for a while. Went again in 2001. Gave it up again.

At this point, it would NOT mean much of raise. I am one to two years away from maxing out in LPN pay at my facility, and that will be five dollars an hour MORE than RN grads start at.

Also, going to school is such a hassle, in terms of money and time. My kids are leaving home, my husband is thinking of retirement, and although I have 20 or 30 more years to work, I just don't know if I want to fool with it. Having peace and quiet and time for ME seems more important at this stage of my life!

The state where I live lets LPNs do IV push meds. The adjoining state where I work has just changed the law to let LPNs do IV push meds, which makes my job easier. I DON'T want to go into management, so I think I'll stay in my little LPN cubbyhole and be happy!

I can't make up my mind. One week I'm looking into programs, the next week I'm looking for a different job. Tomorrow I have a second interview for Home Health.

Been an LPN for 23 years. Would go back for my RN if I didn't have to do all the core courses. When I went to school you didn't have to have core. There is a lot more opportunities for RNs

I am nearing retirement, so of course I don't plan on going back to school.

I graduated LPN school in 1974, and the years just ran into each other, situations in my life changed, and before I knew it, here I am, 52 years old, a grandmother of 2, divorced, still an LPN, but I don't regret it at all. However, I am ready to get out of nursing. My job is getting harder by the day, and I get so discouraged. We work short all the time, and I can't get everything done like I want to. I do the best I can, but working with 2 nurses when we should have 3 is getting old. I'm just tired of it.

Soon as I get in my 28 I'm getting out of nursing.