LPN...Is it a good move?

FLg8r · Oct 7, 2009

please don't give up on your dream! i did 25 years ago and now, at 46, i'm once again pursuing it. it was not easy, but with hard work and determination, i've finally obtained my cna license and now will be starting lpn school at the end of the month. one word of caution though: a lot of schools for lpn and rn are using the teas as an entrance exam. i took the teas and passed, but i didn't study. i refreshed on some things in a study guide, but did not devote my time to it like i should have. the only reason i think i did so well was because i had just recently took some of the science requirements for nursing, so that info was fresh in my mind. i did not study math, as that was always my strongest subject. for math, i just reviewed formulas and conversions. but you must stick with it! if you give up now, what type of example does that set for your children too? you can do this, really you can. if i can do this at 46, i know you can do it :loveya:

please reconsider your options .... maybe do like i did and get your feet wet first as a cna. if you don't do this now, i fear you will wake up one day like i did and regret not doing it sooner. it took my son, at age 6, asking me, "mommy, what did you want to be when you grew up?" i told him i had always wanted to be a nurse, to which he responded, "then why don't you do that now?" and he was right! that was when i went back and took the pre-reqs for the rn program. after trying for a few years to get in the rn program with no luck, rather than giving up, i decided to go a different route. cna-lpn-rn

no one knows what our future holds, but we can "mold" our futures to the best of our abilities ..... keep the faith!

okay, i know i keep going back and forth about this, but i have finally decided to stop trying to force a dream that 'will never happen. i failed the teas and i can't get over it. this was not how things were supposed to happen. i feel that having failed the teas really made me face the reality. i was so excited about going into nursing, and don't get me wrong, i really want to be a nurse.
but if its not possible, then its not possible. i keep beating myself about the teas and feel so disappointed in myself.
i have gotten a lot of support from here but feel sad at the same time. it is nice to read so many getting accepted to charity and fullfilling their dreams but it makes me feel worse. it makes me hate myself for messing up. if so many have passed and gotten in, why was it so hard for me? i must be really stupid. i have read some people don't even study and pass with flying colors. that must mean i am just not smart enough.
good luck to everyone and may you succeed in charity or any other school you may choose. you guys will make wonderful nurses some day. don't ever give up like i have.

BethCNOR, BSN, RN · Oct 7, 2009

I was an LPN for 21 yrs. before going back to school to get my RN. Yes, some RN's treat you as an inferior being, but most do not and are appreciative of your skills. Continuing your education is always a great thing and I commend you for your enthusiasm. Good luck to you. You WILL become a RN. Just keep plugging along!

queensgirl2054 · Oct 7, 2009

I've been an LPN for 15 years before that I was an aide. Currently I'm in an RN program. You have to love your job or nothing is worth it. Make sure you want to be in the field first otherwise its all a waste.

Mudwoman · Oct 7, 2009

I started as a LVN in TX because I only had a 3.8 GPA and it took a 4.0 GPA to get into any RN program at the time. I did the bridge thru Excelsior. I start with this so that you know I have nothing against LPN/LVN's. I've been one.

The problem now is that most of the State Boards of Nursing have been gradually changing the scope of practice for LPN/LVN's until it has gotten to the point that most all hospitals are now phasing them out. You will find most job opportunities in Dr's offices and clinics and Long Term Care facilities. You will also find opportunities in Dialysis clinics.

In our state, most school nurses were LPNs. Now the state has mandated that all assessments of the children must be done by an RN, so school districts are going to have to join together and get an RN that will float between schools. Since they can't afford an LPN and an RN, then the LPNs will be phased out.

So, you have to ask yourself what your long term goal is. I thought once I got my LVN, then I would hit it hard on the bridge program and have my RN within a year or 2. Took me 14 years because life and work gets in the way.

If you love LTC anyway, then getting your LPN is great. If you really want to work in a hospital, then RN is the only way to go at this time and you need to figure out why you failed this test and get busy studying and retake it.

As far as RN's treating you inferiorly-----you are probably seeing this in the hospital setting. We still have some LPNs on our floor because they have been with the hospital for 15+ years. We are assigned 6 patients a shift with Total Care as our grid. The LPNs can't assess pts or push certain meds now. So, in addition to our assignments, we have to also pick up the slack of the LPN. As an example I would be assigned 1-2 of her pts in addition to mine. As time as gone on, unfortunately, the LPN doesn't then help me. He/she doesn't give meds on one of my patients or do my blood sugars or dressing changes. Bad feelings start on our part. He/she has a really easy day with just meds on 6 pts and I have assessments, charting, on 7-8 pts plus the meds on my 6. The LPNs also can't do the admits, so if I'm assigned one of her rooms, I also have to do the admit. Makes for a very hard day on my part. I'm overworked and he/she isn't.

Aoretta · Oct 7, 2009

This is my take on it.

I've worked with many LPN's and they are just as experienced, hardworking, intelligent, and CULPABLE as RN's are. It is true that many places, especially hospitals, are phasing LPNs out. here at Reading Hospital they are doing that. Anyway, LPN's practically hold up the world of long term nursing and rehab on their shoulders. As an LPN, your best bet would be to get a job there. You will find that RN's are being paid more than you when you are doing the same work as they are, even perhaps more. You will find as an LPN that there are some RNs who will disrespect you and think of you as less than them, when you are not.

Hiring LPN's is a way for employers to pay nurses less than they deserve, and in my opinion, that's why LPN schools are still functioning. It's not fair to LPN's AT ALL. It turned my stomach to watch my coworkers be paid 8-10 dollars an hour less then me, doing the same work that I was doing as an RN. (Exactly the same, at some places, like one place I worked.)

Will you fall in love with being an LPN? Absolutely. But truly there is no sense in being paid less to be just as responsible as an RN (in most cases). LPN's are trained as stringently in the same area of study as RNs. I would say, if you there is no way rihgt now that you can go to RN school, go to LPN school and bridge to RN when you're ready. Only then will you be treated fairly (or, more fairly than an LPN).

Never disrespect the LPN's or other staff who are technically under you, because in reality, they work next to you , not under you. Good luck!

----Valerie N. Roeder, RN, BSN

jenj90 · Oct 7, 2009

I have been an LVN in North Texas for 2 years. I love nursing, but I also have that strong desire to become an RN because it does open many more doors...and the pay is better as well. I was in an LVN program that was really hard and very thorough. It has definitely made bridging over to my RN much easier having been an LVN first, plus I'm able to work as a nurse and do a job I love. I won't lie, jobs aren't always easy to come by and it's hard to get into a hospital setting as an LVN where I live, but it's not like that everywhere. Good luck!!

flfun1997 · Oct 7, 2009

Where I live you take the TABE and the TEAS for LPN, I failed the TABE I am getting tutored on the math, I am 51 been out of school a long time I am almost considering just being a Medical Assitant any feed back on that one?

I don't want the responsibilities of the RN

noreenl · Oct 7, 2009

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.

I would not be the RN I was today if it weren't for a CNA Named Ms T Payne and the LPNs @ NUMC NY!!!! Both jobs deserve the utmost respect and they will always have it from Me!!!!:heartbeat:redbeathe

queensgirl2054 · Oct 7, 2009

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 7, 2009

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!! :nono: 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!! :yeah:

smallcheeks · Oct 7, 2009

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 7, 2009

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