LPN...Is it a good move?

queensgirl2054 · Oct 07, 2009, 06:09 PM

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

You are absolutly right! right on

auntb219 · Oct 07, 2009, 06:45 PM

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

Having been an LPN for over 35 years, I would recommend to retake the RN exam again---
Unfortunately many of the state boards of nursing have led the community to treat and react to LPNs as non-nurses---they are not looked upon as a part of the nursing profession-----
there fore the medical nursing community has and will loose a lot of good nurses and would be nurses. Talk to anyone you wish this is the reality of the profession ---the associate nurse is the LPN the diploma nurse is far and few between ---the three year program is a nurse and the 4 plus year nurse is management---

Webvamp · Oct 07, 2009, 09:55 PM

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

I thought long and hard about the same questions you have, I am in the ADN program and was told by the schools Dean of Health Sciences not to go that route, He said that you get treated as a second class nurse. I think many on here are right in saying it's according to the people you work with and I have also I want to work the ER and LPN's are typically long term care facility nurses.

Now with all that said, I think alot of RN's get a bad rap, I read many of the comments and very few addressed the superiority complex I have personally encountered by LPN's who I hear saying LPN's are the working nurses. My CNA instructor was one of the worst, she bashed RN's every day, I finally had all I could stand and asked her why she chose to remain an LPN instead of getting her RN.... she stated " I was happy as an LPN" and "I want to earn my pay" I translated it myself to understand she was Happy to do the same work for half the pay..... yeah right!

I think you will find some people who feel superior and your job ops will be limited. Just know that going in and let your work do the talking! Good luck.

And who cares about the age..... I'm a 44 year old male and Im just starting myself!

mpittsrn · Oct 07, 2009, 11:29 PM

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

I am so sorry that you failed the test! I am an RN, and by no means am I superior to any LPN that I have run into. However I work on a Rehab unit and we always have 2 nurses, an LPN and an RN and I think it is unfair that the LPN's unfortunately take the bulk of the bs and get paid significantly less. I like to think that I am very fair with the LPN's that I work with, but I know that all of the RN's that I run into are not that way. I think that you should give yourself some time. Retake the test. Invest in some study materials. Brush up on your basics and keep your head up. Don't settle. I am at work now and just asked my co-worker (an LPN of 4 years) to answer you questions and she said the following:

In response to is it being weeded out: YES! She worked on an acute floor and wanted to go full time from PRN (taking a pay cut of $3/hour) but they wouldn't hire her. She happened to fall into the position she is in now because our longtime LPN on nights decided that she had enough of the job and left!

Anyway, she says they are definitely mistreated. Oftentimes RN's think that because they have an ADN or BSN they are superior (and I've run into this being only 1 year out of school too) to new nurses and LPN's. I find it unfair because there are very few things that you can't do as an LPN (push meds in an IV, hang blood, access central lines), so we basically do the same job and there is a significant pay difference!!!

So I guess what I'm saying after much rambling is follow your heart. It's the same job, why not get paid more and not have to deal with the bs of others bothering you or mistreating you for being an LPN?

I also know a girl that went the Delta College route and now is making 2 dollars more than she was as a CNA and has nearly $20,000 in debt. She recommends not going that route as well!

Good luck, keep your head up, and I hope it all works out!

Melissa

paganoid · Oct 08, 2009, 01:36 AM

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

I'm a senior BSN student just a few units away from graduation.

Just before Christmas my partner was in a near-fatal accident. Following inpatient care at a "magnet" facility which included an IV push of 4mg MSO4 that resulted in acute respiratory distress and an overflowing foley bag all over the floor, we transferred to a SNF where we got the VERY BEST care from LVN's and aides.

All I'm saying is the degree does not determine the quality of the nurse, it's the commitment to caring.

I'm surprised the OP doesn't just retake the TEAS test. Get a TEAS study guide and take a couple of weeks to work it through, then take the test again. Or get your LPN degree and get some work experience. Then take an LVN to RN bridge program, or LVN to BSN if such a thing is available and you want to go into management/administration.

Best of luck to you,

paganoid

RN hopefull · Oct 08, 2009, 03:24 PM

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

Thank you so much for your replies and support. What I like most about nursing is the patient/nurse interaction. Being able to help people as much as I can. My first degree is in Business Management. I worked as a CSM(Custormer Sevice Manager) at the New Orleans Airport & Big Lots (when I first started). Believe me, I loved it! I was able to interact w/ people and help them a lot. I interviewed, got hired and almost went to work for Southwest Airlines but the recruiter told me to finish college; he didn't want me to quit college.
I haved learned so much in customer service and I feel I can bring that into nursing. I have great people skills and want to put them to good use.
I know that as an LPN, I would get paid much less than an RN, but in the past I have gotten good paying jobs that I hated. Now, I may be getting paid less but I just might love the job! Point is, I want to be happy with what I do. I want to be excited about going to work, about being there and even more excited driving home, knowing that I helped someone today.
A classmate said to me the other day, that being an RN just sounds so much better than being an LPN. She says its sounds like something cheap. I was like, "WHAT!"
I am not doing it for the title. Right now I have the title of VOLUNTEER at Childrens Hospital and I am proud of it. Some of the RN's (I checked their badges) in the floor I work at ignore me when I speak to them, but you know what? I am giving up my time for FREE to be with those kids. I do it b/c it makes me feel good as a person. I walk in there feeling proud of myself and that is worth a lot more than $$'s.

praise2u · Oct 08, 2009, 06:52 PM

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

Originally Posted by RN hopefull

Wow, I have read a couple of posts here and I have found there to be A LOT of LPN bashing. Somehow there is always a problem about who is better: LPN's or RN's. They make it sound as if LPN's are soooooooooooo inferior to RN's.
I am curious to know why they say that LPN's are considered non-professional. So are LPN's nurses or not? When I finish my LPN program, could I call myself a Nurse or do I have to say "I am an non-professional who just cares for your loved one at the hospital"

I have elected to go the LPN route just because after careful brain storming I think it will be best for my family. I have a 1 year old w/ kidney disorder and almost 4 year old who will be starting pre-school next year. I guess having failed my TEAS exam this month was the icing on the cake that made me realize that I need to take my time.
I will be honored after graduating as an LPN. I am planning on doing the bridge program to the RN program but If I fall in love with being an LPN, then I will stay. In the end, it is working close to patients that I want. Presently, I am a volunteer at Children's Hospital, New Orleans. It is the best feeling when I am there. I do it b/c I want to make those kids as happy as possible. I love what I do there. My dream is to one day work at Children's Hospital full time.

Kudos to you! I think an LPN career will be great, and if you decide to continue, continue the RN at your own pace!

. It doesn't matter what people think or say, at the end of the day are you happy? Keep pressing on!

praise2u · Oct 08, 2009, 07:00 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!

I think becoming an LPN is an excellent idea. I myself am currently in school for LPN. Check out to see the availability in your state. I don't believe LPN's are being phased out, it just depends where you want to work. Some LPN's are charge nurse's in LTC. You can work in a school if you have small children, you can work in a Dr's office, or a group home, just to name a few. Don't be discouraged, and by all means don't let someone else talk you out of doing what you desire to do. You can become an LPN and work on your RN at your own pace. No pressure, no stress! My mom is in her late 50's and got her master's in social work.

It will be a challenge, but you can do it. I choose LPN first due to my age, it would take me forever taking 1 to 2 classes a semester to be an RN, at least now I can be a nurse and work toward my NP, yes I have big goals!

miamigirl183 · Oct 08, 2009, 09:00 PM

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

I had to take the route of lpn first and hope to start the bridge program in May. I want to be a RN with all my :heart: bcuz it's something i love. So go for it. as for lpn jobs, only hospitals seem to be shying away from lpns but nursing homes and home health care, we are the bomb. So go make your money honey!!

queensgirl2054 · Oct 08, 2009, 09:09 PM

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

I totally agree!

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LPN...Is it a good move?

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