LPN...Is it a good move?

queensgirl2054 · Oct 07, 2009, 01:26 PM

Re: LPN...Is it a good move?

Here's the problem Mudwoman you are getting paid a hell of alot more than that lpn so she starts resenting the fact that you want her to do more work. This really is a vicious circle, I don't know what the answer is.

PurpleLVN · Oct 07, 2009, 01:34 PM

Re: LPN...Is it a good move?

Originally Posted by RN hopefull

Ok, so I am finally coming to terms w/ having failed the TEAS-RN exam last week. It's sad but I have to move on. Anyway, I have started to re-think my career move. I requested the LPN program info packet and have taken an interest. The fact that it allows you to bridge to the RN program is a big advantage.
So, I have a couple of questions before I make a decision that I DON'T want to regret.

1. Is becoming an LPN a good idea?
2. Is it true that LPN's are being phased out? No longer needed?
3. Are they treated inferiorly by RN's? I ask b/c just by being a volunteer at Childrens Hospital, I have not been treated very nicely by RN's.
4. Would this career move work better if I have 2 young daughters (1 and 3)?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. I was told that this program requieres the Compass or the TABE exam. What were your experiences after taking this test? Would it be similar to the TEAS?

I want to become an RN with all my heart and now I am more determined than ever to succeed. I may be the 60 year old in the class, but I will work at this however long it takes.

Thanks!

Hi RNhopeful-Charity is NOT the only school in the New Orleans metroplex!!

Try the voc-tech colleges!! Why give up so soon?? What subject was your weakness? Find out and study some more and go for it. My weakness is Math-I got the Math GED book at Books-A-Million, studied and made it in after my first failure 20 years ago!!! Never Give Up!!

smallcheeks · Oct 07, 2009, 01:36 PM

Re: LPN...Is it a good move?

I think whether or not being an LPN is a good career move depends on what you want to do with your career.

I also think this can be region specific. As far as my state, Maryland, goes. We have a high employment rate so there's kind of enough room for everybody. LPN's have pretty much been phased out of most hospitals but not all. Nursing homes and long-term care facilities are always looking to hire LPN's as well as many office-type settings.

So if you want to work in a hospital, being an LPN can be a stepping stone but it won't place you immediately where you want to be. If you enjoy the elderly population, you may be happy as an LPN.

I think LPN's are looked at differently in different places. For example, when I lived in Georgia, I had absolutely no desire to be an LPN. Never even considered it. That's because all I saw them do pretty much was give bed baths and change briefs. But when I moved to MD, it was like day and night. LPN's seemed to be respected as nurses and often had the pay to prove it. So I think a lot depends on the healthcare dynamic of your area. In Mississippi many people don't even know that their nurse practitioner isn't a doctor! So even CNA's down there are highly regarded (my grandma calls hers the nurse).

Not sure about these exams you referenced- TEAS, etc. I guess if you could just get into a nursing program that would be half of the battle. After that the ball is in YOUR court. Everybody gets in where I live as long as they pass four pre-reqs with only one C. I feel the NCLEX is straight forward (in a confusing way). If you know how disorders work, what the nurse's responsiblities are, how to keep people safe, and how to safely administer drugs, you can pass- whether it's the PN or RN exam.

You can do anything you want to do with the proper will, discipline, and training.

Hope this was helpful

LPN on the Move · Oct 07, 2009, 02:35 PM

Re: LPN...Is it a good move?

Hi RN Hopeful,

I have been an LPN for 15 years. I originally applied for the RN program but there was a two year waiting list. At age 42 I didn’t want to wait the two years so I took the LPN program with plans to take the upgrade program after working one year as a LPN. Well needless to say, I never did upgrade. I enjoyed my nursing so much that I stayed where I was. I have worked in hospitals, nursing homes, rehab & hospice. I’ve worked as a school nurse travel nurse and a camp nurse. I am just starting to travel nurse full time. The point being, a LPN is a nurse.

The nursing scene is changing rapidly. Many long term care facilities prefer LPNs over RNs for obvious reasons (it’s cheaper). Many hospitals will not hire LPNs and many are requiring their RNs to obtain their BSN to remain on staff. Most travel nurse agencies focus primarily on RNs. There’s plenty of work for everyone. You may have to be flexible in what you want to do.

The bottom line… if you want to be a nurse, BE A NURSE. Don’t let small setbacks derail you. And yes, failing the TEAS-RN exam is a small set back. Imagine what you will do the first time your pediatric patient’s trach come out and you can’t get it back in on the first try? Now that’s a major problem. If you form the habit of giving up so quickly, that may become a trait you will retain as a nurse. Decide what you want to do in the nursing field and go do it.

Leonard

PurpleLVN · Oct 07, 2009, 02:48 PM

Re: LPN...Is it a good move?

ITA with LPN on the Move.

Not only are RN's being required to get their BSN but the LVN's that have been there forever(hospital) have to now go to school to get their RN in order to keep their jobs...vicious cycle!! You can't easily give up when obtaining your goals in nursing. Pray, be strong and just do it!!!!

Areenn · Oct 07, 2009, 02:49 PM

Re: LPN...Is it a good move?

It is a good move if it is the best move for your family. Yes there will be people who put you down. As an LPN You will not be able to work in OB or ICU. Some ER also. Yes there are some that will not hire LPNs at all. Others hire only LPN s to save money. But you can have a good fullfiling career as an LPN, or bridge to RN if you are willing to work in the areas where they are hired. An RN obtains a deeper understanding of nursing, but the hands on nursing is the same. RNs and LPNs give the same bed baths, insert the same foleys and IV.s , administer the same meds. RNs do get more pathophysiology and leadership training. There has been talk of phasing out the LPN since I went in 1980. They are still around. I wish you luck. It took me years to cross the bridge to my
RN but it was worth it. The years as an LPN made RN school a breeze because of all the experience. I think the teacher was afraid I was going to take over her class though LOL. Even if you have to start out as an LPN, and it takes you until your kids are grown to get your RN, at least your are working toward your goal.

MaritesaRN · Oct 07, 2009, 04:09 PM

Re: LPN...Is it a good move?

Originally Posted by RN hopefull

Ok, so I am finally coming to terms w/ having failed the TEAS-RN exam last week. It's sad but I have to move on. Anyway, I have started to re-think my career move. I requested the LPN program info packet and have taken an interest. The fact that it allows you to bridge to the RN program is a big advantage.
So, I have a couple of questions before I make a decision that I DON'T want to regret.

1. Is becoming an LPN a good idea?
2. Is it true that LPN's are being phased out? No longer needed?
3. Are they treated inferiorly by RN's? I ask b/c just by being a volunteer at Childrens Hospital, I have not been treated very nicely by RN's.
4. Would this career move work better if I have 2 young daughters (1 and 3)?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

P.S. I was told that this program requieres the Compass or the TABE exam. What were your experiences after taking this test? Would it be similar to the TEAS?

I want to become an RN with all my heart and now I am more determined than ever to succeed. I may be the 60 year old in the class, but I will work at this however long it takes.

Thanks!

Go for the LPN program. this is a good move since it will keep you in nursing ...not to mention , they earn pretty good money ...and in some places they will hire LPN instead of RN to save money. This will give you a good job and an opening to the RN program . This way you are opening yourself to a broader possibilities.
60 is young nowadays, so do not let that deter to accomplish your dreams. " All limitations are self imposed !"
We would like to remind ourselves ( including me ) that adversity is a challenge , not a limitation. We set up our own limitations by how we interpret and read things . Beleive me , I works at it in a daily basis to change the way I think !!!!

Mudwoman · Oct 07, 2009, 05:32 PM

Re: LPN...Is it a good move?

Originally Posted by queensgirl2054

Here's the problem Mudwoman you are getting paid a hell of alot more than that lpn so she starts resenting the fact that you want her to do more work. This really is a vicious circle, I don't know what the answer is.

Most of the LPNs left have been with the hospital a LONG time and they are making more money than the RNs with 2 yrs or less experience.

queensgirl2054 · Oct 07, 2009, 05:36 PM

Re: LPN...Is it a good move?

Where are you from?

arhyme100 · Oct 07, 2009, 05:48 PM

Re: LPN...Is it a good move?

i come to this website maybe only 1-2 times a year (initially it was more because i like to patronize nursing websites). because of the lpn bashing i very seldom come on here. it has never changed, it has always been lowball and mean. it is so low grade and middle school. i have been an lpn for 30yr. i was there when the law changed our scope of nursing with the sweep of a pen at midnight. but i'll tell you this,the only thing an rn has over me is that he or she is trained in doing a different kind of paperwork. anyone can learn to use different equipment, fill out forms, boss people around and be nasty with their co workers. but being an lpn and loving it has allowed my critical thinking skills to grow, i've worked in situations and places that most rn's have not yet tread. i've been very picky about what positions i would and would not take and have had a wonderful nursing career as a result. but working with most rn's is like hitting the bottom of the barrel. they are cruel to others and to each other. i've taught and trained many an rn, and she couldn't have learned her job if i hadn't been there with her/him. so you have to have a strong sense of self and confidence in your abilities in order to be an lpn and love your job.

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LPN...Is it a good move?

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