Apologizing for being "just an LPN"

General E. Speaking, RN, RN · May 10, 2007

If only it were that easy as "just going back to school." I simple cannot do that with a family and morgage etc. I can't stop working and tell my bill collectors to "just wait" while I finsih my RN. Since eclesoir is not recognized by the CA RN board, that option is out. MY only option is a full time RN program..... which most of us LVN's can't afford to do.

I didn't mean to imply to that I think it is easy for adults to go back to school. Going back to school has been a huge sacrifice and being a "non-traditional student" has been a challenge. My daughter was 10 when I began taking classes- she's 14 now. I have been taking pre-reqs since 2003. I opted for in class learning instead of distance learning (although some of my classes were online). It has been difficult taking classes, working full time, managing a teenager, paying for a mortgage and car repairs while trying not to neglect my spouse. I begin actual nursing classes May 21. Part of my transition program in the summer is supposed to be 5 days per week. After the summer, the class/clinicals should be no more than 4 days per week. I plan to change to the night shift and work every Thur-Sat night. I work the weekend program at the hospital so I need at least three 12 hr shift to maintain my full time status. Honestly, I'm not sure how we are going to make it. I don't know if I can work full time, go to school full time, keep a decent GPA and keep the electricity on and gas in my car. My parents are getting older and my Dad is chronically ill. My Dh has been having chest pains and is in the process of having a cardiac work-up. We don't qualify for any grant money so I have gotten student loans in the past. However, I found out I wouldn't get any student loan money up front so now need to cough up >$1,000 for out of district tuition. I just know that I have to do it. I just keep praying that God will continue to guide me. I just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

I am not saying going back to school is for everyone. LVNs are terrific nurses and have much to offer. If you have no desire to go back to school, I say "great!" You will have a rewarding experience in the nursing field no matter what your title is.

Going back is a personal option that I chose to do.

pagandeva2000, LPN · May 10, 2007

well i refuse to apologize for anything unless i have done something wrong:nono: . it's funny that i usually hear "why don't you have your rn?" from rn's that i am training. well let's see...... you come here new and i train you, so apparently i'm pretty good at what i do:lol_hitti . oh, and there are only two things i can't do, but don't worry, because when it's time for an iv push i will get the order and pull up the med and you can take it from my hand and push it, then you can go:banghead: . and when my patient needs a blood transfusion, i will get the order for the h&h, i will call the abnormal values to the doc, i will get the order for the type and crossmatch and then the fresh frozen plasma or packed cells, then i will order the blood from the blood bank, then i get permission from the patient or the family, then i will go get the blood, then i will go start an iv on the patient and get some ns running. then you can stand there and compare names and patient information with me. once i get the blood hung on the pole, i'll come get you so you can spike it, then you can go:banghead: . then i will get all the vitals and sit there all night and watch for adverse effects. i am not in the "business" of nursing to make money:troll: ....would be nice, but not my plan. i just want to take care of people and i seem to be doing a damn good job of it even if i am only a "little play nurse":argue: , "less payed nurse":argue: , or "lets pretend nurse":argue: :lol_hitti :angryfire . the funny thing is though, all rn's say they respect us, but on any given day you can find threads where the title specifically refers to rn's, but in most cases it's actually a question that pertains to all nurses:mortarboard: , (for example, threads that ask "did anyone else go to rn school while they were pregnant?" :stone or "did you change your name on your rn license after you got married?":stone ). hmmm.... i'd like to comment on that thread but apparently it's only for rn's. but it's okay because when i ask about it, i will always get a reply that says, "oh, sorry, no offense intended." well sorry, but it was offensive. :angryfire :angryfire :angryfire

yeah, and when the hospital is applying for magnet status, they emphasize what the rn does, but do not mention lpns at all.

hlfpnt, BSN, RN · May 10, 2007

I think everyone should follow their heart & be proud of what they are...who cares what others think! I was a Registered Medical Assistant for 8 years before going to nrsg school & am still proud of that fact. I chose to do what I did for myself...I learned a long time ago to do what's best for my life & situation, not for pleasing others. I don't care if you're a nrs mgr with a masters or a house keeper with a mop, I'm proud to work with all of you because we're all there for one reason...quality pt care! :)

pagandeva2000, LPN · May 10, 2007

I think everyone should follow their heart & be proud of what they are...who cares what others think! I was a Registered Medical Assistant for 8 years before going to nrsg school & am still proud of that fact. I chose to do what I did for myself...I learned a long time ago to do what's best for my life & situation, not for pleasing others. I don't care if you're a nrs mgr with a masters or a house keeper with a mop, I'm proud to work with all of you because we're all there for one reason...quality pt care! :)

Interesting that you mention the medical assisting, because I was curious about the registered medical assistant exam. I was a trained medical assistant, but did not sit for the exam, because I was not directed on how to. I believe they have a reason to be proud as well. I don't think anyone should fight against their personal grain to be something they don't want to be. At least make the decision independently of the pressure as some of the posters of this thread have stated...they have evolved out of their title emotionally or financially, and have decided to move on to registered nursing. I support them, too! This is what they want to be, now. Nothing wrong with that. I just don't care for the unsolicited advice. For me, each time I even entertained the thought of becoming an RN, an instant headache appears, because I really don't want to do it. I know that being an LPN may generate a mixed response...not enough money or recognition and such, but I also think that it can be whatever you make it. I am a happy LPN.

hlfpnt, BSN, RN · May 10, 2007

I agree with it being whatever you make it. I found that to be true with all aspects of my life. My tech school promoted the exam is how I came by taking it. I loved my job as a MA & don't regret one minute of it. I just reached a point when I realized I wanted more in depth pt care than what a MA's scope of practice affords. I'm thankful for the experience & believe it has given me greater respect for all my coworkers. I don't think any of us should feel the need to apologize for what we have chosen to be. I was proud to be a MA, I'm proud to be a RN & I'm proud that some of my best friends are LPN's & CNA's as well as housekeepers. I never cared for unsolicited advice myself...which is why I don't give it & say "follow your heart". Only you know what can make you truely happy...whatever it may be, do it for yourself & not to please others. LOL life is way too short to spend it being unhappy! :wink2:

DanisTeeta · May 14, 2007

I Am Ion Lpn School, Gradute In August. I Hear It From Nurses On My Clinicals All The Time, Like They Are Better B/c They Are R.n.'s!!! Keep Ur Chins Up nurses!!!!!!!

BigB · May 14, 2007

I didn't mean to imply to that I think it is easy for adults to go back to school. Going back to school has been a huge sacrifice and being a "non-traditional student" has been a challenge. My daughter was 10 when I began taking classes- she's 14 now. I have been taking pre-reqs since 2003. I opted for in class learning instead of distance learning (although some of my classes were online). It has been difficult taking classes, working full time, managing a teenager, paying for a mortgage and car repairs while trying not to neglect my spouse. I begin actual nursing classes May 21. Part of my transition program in the summer is supposed to be 5 days per week. After the summer, the class/clinicals should be no more than 4 days per week. I plan to change to the night shift and work every Thur-Sat night. I work the weekend program at the hospital so I need at least three 12 hr shift to maintain my full time status. Honestly, I'm not sure how we are going to make it. I don't know if I can work full time, go to school full time, keep a decent GPA and keep the electricity on and gas in my car. My parents are getting older and my Dad is chronically ill. My Dh has been having chest pains and is in the process of having a cardiac work-up. We don't qualify for any grant money so I have gotten student loans in the past. However, I found out I wouldn't get any student loan money up front so now need to cough up >$1,000 for out of district tuition. I just know that I have to do it. I just keep praying that God will continue to guide me. I just keep putting one foot in front of the other.
I am not saying going back to school is for everyone. LVNs are terrific nurses and have much to offer. If you have no desire to go back to school, I say "great!" You will have a rewarding experience in the nursing field no matter what your title is.
Going back is a personal option that I chose to do.

I think you will be fine. I do have a desire to go back to school, in fact I will be recieving my B.S. degree in Management in about a month. Being a college graduate has always been a dream of mine and I will accomplish it. The way I was able to is through distance learning. It was done on my terms.... I was able to work fulltime. I cannot do nursing under my terms with Ecelsior no longer avalible to CA LVN's. I don't want another B.S. degree, the first was hard enough to get so ISU and UoP are out of the question for now. I am keeping my eyes out, but the outlook isn't great. Private schools want up to $40,000 for LVN to RN and the jr. colleges have waiting lists that are years long.

LPN01112005 · May 14, 2007

Hospital based LPN here. I am IV certified, so I do start my own IV's and push my own IV meds. Direct patient care wise, the three things I can't do is initial admission assessments, start and adjust heparin gtts, or spike blood products. I can and do take care of all other patient needs. I call the doctor myself, I give my own meds, I change my own dressings, I do my own central line care (had to take an extra 1/2 day class for this, though...but hey, I got paid for it.) Unless they look very closely at my badge, my patients never know I'm any different than some of the other nurses on the floor who are RN's. With the exception of our Charge Nurse, all the nurses on our floor do the same job, no matter if they are RN's or LPN's. I don't see too much discrimination from my co-workers who actually work with me on the floor. Sometimes I get a "vibe" from other RN's in management positions....Had one tell me the other day to get an RN to draw up some phenergan and bring it to her in the TX room for chemo patient X who was nauseated. I told her with a quickness that I was qualified to do that and I would do it, unless there was a specific reason she wanted an RN to do it. She simply said "oh, that's great, then you can do it". I think sometimes the older RN's are misinformed about what today's LPN's can do.

I may go back to earn my RN degree, but right now is not the time. I have two children in college and their educations are more important to me than continuing mine. The $5-$7 an hour difference in an RN's salary and mine doesn't motivate me very much. I know it's alot over the long run, but I'm just not all that motivated by money.

Lastly, I just had my yearly review and the ONLY thing that could improve the job I do is "to obtain my RN degree". I asked my Coordinator HOW that could improve what I do and she said "then you could do charge" and laughed. HA, HA, HA......THAT would benefit the hospital, but I simply don't see where it would benefit me. No thank you, you may keep your stress. If I do someday obtain my RN, I will NEVER, EVER, EVER sign that Charge Nurse contract. I left my yearly review feeling pretty darn good about myself, my credentials and the fact that I am doing MY JOB at the highest level possible. No need to apologize to anybody for being "just and LPN"