Are there any LPN's not going for RN?

[HippyDippyLPN]

I feel like I am the only LPN out of my class mates and co workers that isnt actively trying to pursue their RN. Is it so bad to " just " be an LPN? I am not saying that one day I may not look into it but I am pretty happy with my LPN license.

I work in a clinic and dont plan on leaving the clinic field so an RN would not benefit me much, only a couple $$ pay raise which by the time I got through school I would already be making that much due to raises. Also my LPN classes would not transfer so I would be starting from square one even in a bridge program. I already have a lot of experience as an LPN that really benefits me so I also would not be keen on being considered a new grad and having to trudge throught the new grad job market again. The first time was rough enough!

Anyone else not planning on going for RN anytime soon? Sometimes I feel like a slacker for not wanting to!

[roreyn02]

Im an LPN, I think perfectly fine with it. Im working as an aid as I purse my RN right now I hope to make it and im putting all my efforts into it but if I dont make it ill be glad to have my LPN license to fall back on. I dont really have any desire to move away from long term care even if I graduate from the ADN program and pass the RN boards. The only reason I really got my LPN was because I needed a job with a little bit more salary than an CNA, other than the low salary I love working as an aid, its a great job for me because im patient and the residents I care for all like that about me. The way I see it, there is no such thing as "just" a CNA or "just" an LPN because healthcare will never work without these people. Im hoping they dont "phase out" LPN's from long term care, I know these nurses are limited in their scope of practice, so are CNA's but because they are limited they end up doing some very important tasks that the RN's and the physicians need done while they do their part. We need to realize that in the USA we all make different salaries but that doesnt make any one of us less important. There will always be a place for all of us in healthcare. I just hope that my LPN license lasts quite awhile longer if I dont get my RN because I want to at least get my loans payed off and my money's worth out of it before they phase them out and force me to go back to a CNA salary. No problem, ill always be a valuable citizen.

[1busymaniam]

Good evening all,

I have been the Lvn x 19 years. Fine with it. Doing it so long, really good at it I am the resource person when I work. I am the go to guy for ?'s, not the charge nurse or another Rn.

When we graduated nursing school in 1993 we were urged/warned to get our Rn as this was the wave of the future. In the December of 2011 I got the memo. The memo stated basically be an Rn by 1-1-2015 or you are unemployed. Don't quit this job as you can't be rehired until you are an Rn. Back in an online program, cheapest I can find. Very happy to be back in school. Try it if you will. Hope you don't get the memo. Almost addicted to online classes sick bastard that I am. 288 hrs of clinicals coming. This for a guy that works a job and half! This is all happening in Texas.

Goodnight............ Russell

[CLUVRN, MSN, RN]

To tell you the truth, I have mixed feelings about becoming an RN. The RN's do receive better pay/job opportunities/respect, etc. However, on this and other sites I have read horror stories of new RN's being unable to find a job. Heck, even experienced RN's are having trouble finding work. Currently, I am enrolled in Excelsior College's online LPN-to-RN program but have hesitations if I even want to finish or not. I have a great paying, full-time job with benefits, in the this economy who could ask for anything more? At this point I think I'll be content being an LPN and will concentrate on being the best nurse I can be.

[SarcasticLVN]

I am a lvn and I am bridging into rn because at this point in time I had no kids and I broke how tin my fiancé a year ago so might as well sped my free time on that! But I am very happy and proud of my lvn! Some of th best nurses I've worked with are lvns.

[AheleneRN]

1busymaniam, do you mind me asking what online program you're doing? I'm looking into a bridge program now. Thank you!

[1busymaniam]

Hello AheleneLPN,

Do not mind you asking at all. I started Sept 17, 2012 in the Lamar State program. It is in Texas and you have to be a Texas resident. Guess you are not as you LPN? It is all online with the exception of 288 clinical hours. That is 24 free 12 hour shifts in a facility. Get a job in Texas? It is the cheapest program you will find no doubt! www.lamarpa.edu is the website, distance learning and academic partnership? 4 start dates a year, roughly every 90 days. Cost is roughly

Good day............ Russell Roach

[AheleneRN]

Thank you for replying. Sucky part is that I don't live in Texas :-( but I appreciate the info. Yes, I'm a lpn. I guess I'll be doing the bridge with excelsior college. Thanks again and all the best with you completing the bridge program :-)

[ssllij]

I hear what you are saying! I have been an LPN for 15 years and I am 57 years old. This is my second career....I have no interest in spending a ton of money for the RN and by the time I finish I will be retiring! None of my LPN will be good except for Fundamentals. I am very jaded by the whole "return to school" thing as I think its a cash cow with the colleges.

The only issue I have is that in New York State, LPNs are basically being tossed to the wayside as RN BSN is the big thing here. There are no longer any jobs for us except nursing homes and detox and I have been there done that. I have worked in the intake field in home care as well as the liason field in nursing home and I am as well trained in chart audit, medical chart review , Medicaid + Medicare guidelines etc.. as a RN but can no longer obtain these positions. I am really considering leaving the nursing field altogether. Please dont say there is a need for nurses. I cannot afford school and no longer have any interest in nursing.

[ShesAcuteNurse, ADN, LPN]

Im not an lpn yet but I started the program in August. Before I started this program, bridging over to RN was all that came out of my mouth. After being in the program for not even 2 months now I cannot see myself returning to school to attain RN status. The clinicals, the massive tests, etc. are all so time consuming and draining....I didn't come into it with my eyes closed but you just don't know until you're actually doing it how all consuming this learning process is. I am so grateful to have been blessed with this opportunity to become a nurse, my life long dream, but as of right now I would have to say for the line of work I am interested in, my lpn license will do just nicely .

[April White-Lewis, ADN, LPN]

I've been LPN for only 10 years, but I have recently decided to pursue my RN. I want to venture out and explore other area, but most of those areas are limited for LPNs. Here in Birmingham, AL alot of doors are closing on LPNs. There are more opportunities available for RN. If you are happy with your career as an LPN, by all means don't feel pressured by anyone to take a different path. It has to be your own choice. Be proud of your decision. My decision is to pursue RN.

[T-Bird78]

So I'm not alone either!! My mom tells me "you need to go on and get your RN" even though I'm married with two kids. I HATE the whole "just a LPN" stigma, as if we're not worthy of carrying the title of nurse. I love being a nurse. I'm not getting my RN because I want to work in offices so I can be home evenings, weekends, and holidays with my family. Yeah, I could make a LOT more with my RN in hospitals (and would love working in the ED) but my family has to come first. I have two boys, ages 10 and 8 months, and am very happily married and my husband and boys need me home. I had an office with extended hours and I hated the late days--I wouldn't get home until 7:30 and have to be back to work at 7:15 the next morning. I missed so much of my oldest sons' activities and school events and that's time I won't ever get back. Maybe when my kids are grown I'll be more flexible about hours and weekends, but not now.

[DreamyEyes]

I have only been an LPN for 5 months now, but I really have no plans on going back right now, either. I just tell people "Oh I'll be going back eventually" just to get them off my back. But really, I'm perfectly content being an LPN, and I have no desire to work in a hospital anyway - unless it's a psychiatric hospital. My favorite clinical rotation was on a geri-psych floor, but unfortunately they only hire RN's.

After working in LTC for awhile now, I think I'm more suited for home health or a clinic anyway.