Am I wasting my time

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There have been years of rumors that the practical nurse is soon to be extinct in the medical world. Should I just go for the registered nurse? I chose pn, and plan to go rn within the next couple of years because of marriage and family. Please Help!!

That rumor has been floating around for years! With the impending nursing shortage, that program isn't going to be phased out. Have you considered doing a 2 year ADN program?? As for doing an RN v LPN, that's a personal decision you'll have to make, based upon your current situation, finances, time availability, future nursing goals, etc... Good luck!!

that was my first choice, but I found out that the only university here in Savannah to offer adn, terminated the program years ago (Armstrong Atlantic State University).

I'm thinking about doing the satellite class from a nearby college, but I believe that after being out of school for 9 years, the pn program will help me to adjust instead of going in head first. Thank you so much for your time.

I think the LPN gonna be extinct rumor is in the same category with the ADN gonna be extinct one. I dont see that happening in my life time and especially not right now with this nursing crisis. This is coming from an ADN critical care nurse who has yet to be told she must aquire a BSN and who was just hired as a supervisor for a 280 bed sub-acute/rehab/longterm care facilty.

You do what makes you happy and comfortable with your job.

Good luck

deanna

Hi there,

I am a new LVN and I just wanted to give you some encouragement regarding your situation. I think you're very wise to bring up your concerns before entering your program!

I, too, chose vocational nursing due to family, financial, and time constraints. I wanted to get into nursing badly, but wasn't in a position to spend years in school, so I opted for a 18 month program.

I live in Northern California, so I can only speak for the facilities that I've come across in clinicals. LVNs are certainly not being phased out here. We cost the hospital less than RNs and can contribute greatly to the care team. Trust me, hospitals only see dollar signs and I don't see LVNs leaving anytime soon.

As for LVN/LPNs in general, we're in tremendous demand in most areas of the country with long term care being at an all time high.

I am happy with my decision, because I now can enter nursing like I've always wanted to, and I can go back to school without feeling rushed and financially strapped.

However, if you know that you want to go for your RN and you can juggle the family and time it will take, why not go for it the first time?

Best of luck to you!!

Julie

Originally posted by Lynn Sams:

There have been years of rumors that the practical nurse is soon to be extinct in the medical world. Should I just go for the registered nurse? I chose pn, and plan to go rn within the next couple of years because of marriage and family. Please Help!!

In 1978 I was told by my managers, faculity administrators and clinical instructors that LPNs would be extinct by 1985 and that all RNs would have to have BSN by that date, it was called the 85 directive or something like that. I never did know if it was just an attempt to get me to further my education or if they actually believed it themselves. One thing I do know for sure is that a lot of people in nursing managment and education live, then as now, in some sort of dream world. Notice I did not say all of them live in a dream world. One clinical instructor, who had loads and loads of experience as a staff nurse, took me aside at that time and said she thought it was a lot of marlarky. Turns out she was right as rain.

I have to voice my opinion.....I went to LPN school due to finanical reasons and family...But I am glad that i did....I feel like that i really learned the basic of nursing...The LPN's do the bed side care...We don't have CNA's (nurse aides) so the LPN had 2 jobs.....After 2 years i decided to go back to RN school. I was able to work and have a decent income and go to school too. I think that RN's that have gone to LPN school ( now this is in Mississippi) are excellent RN's. The bedside care is different. I just appreciate my training and experience as an LPN........I have been a nurse now for 18 years and i still recall alot of my LPN training.....Binky

THAT IS JUST IDLE RUMORS-FORGETABOUTIT- IF THIS WASW TRUE, LVN'S WOULD BE "GRANDFATHERED" , THAT IS , CREDIT FOR TIME SERVED(AS THE JAIL BUNCH SAY) & ONLY NEW LPN'S WOULD BE AFFECTED-- IF THE IDEA EVER CAME TO FRUITION--RELAX YOU'RE IN GREAT DEMAND, AND THE HOSP. HATE THAT--THEY WOULD/COULDN'T DO IT THEMSELVES, BUT WANT MORE "MANAGEMENT" TYPE NURSES( $$$$ INSTEAD OF PT. CARE) THAT'S BUSINESS, AND I'M PROUD TO DISAPPOINT THEM IN THAT !!!

The health care delivery system as we know it is changing, and it all can happen w/ the roll of a dice. Having said that, I know that LPNs are valued member of the health care team. We need LPNs to be a part of that team. When I got out of nursing school after my BSN, it was the LPNs and a few others who took the time to show me the ropes and be patient, until I got up to speed. I'll never forget that.

[This message has been edited by teamrn (edited October 15, 2000).]

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