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!

[NOLAdLPN]

I have been an LPN for 3 years and always wanted to go back to get my RN but wanted to take a break from non stop studying. I am ready to hit the books once again and just started the excelsior program. I love working as an LPN but have realized I can do the same job and make more money doing it. You don't have to work in a hospital if you're an RN. I work in an office with 2 other LPN's and 3 RN's. There are plenty of opportunities out there for all kinds of fields weather it be offices, hospitals, home health, insurance companies, schools, nursing homes, and the list goes on and on. You should never be ashamed to be an LPN but RN's make more money so wish me luck!

[tnmarie]

I was never really interested in getting my RN, but the job market where I am located is SO over-saturated with LPNs, I felt I really didn't have a choice. I'll be finishing up my Associate's c Excelsior in Feb 2012. I'm quite happy as a bedside nurse and hope that being "only" an Associate's RN will allow me to stay at bedside, even as an RN.

I also like the idea of having the option for office type work when I get too old and decrepit for bedside nursing XD.

My mom retired after 25 years as an LPN doing a job she loved. People always wanted her to go back to RN school but she didn't see the point. She got to do a job she loved for 25 years as an LPN and retired with great pay and benefits to boot. If you like and and can get a job you love at it, why bother getting your RN? I know I wouldn't have if that were the case for me.

[Philly_LPN_Girl, LPN]

I can not say the same. I already took all of my prerequisites for RN and will be doing an LPN to RN program when I graduate. Being an LPN is not a bad thing and you have to do what works for you and makes you happy. If you are happy with your career, pay, etc then stay an LPN. Most times, people look down on LPN's and I do not know why, LPN's are still nurses, they still make great money, have a career, and have a lot of oppourtunities. I want to become an RN to make more money, have better opportunities, and I would also like to become a CRNP one day but to each their own, you have a great career :)

[historylovinglpn]

I am not going back for my RN! Am happy doing what I am doing. I actually have my degree in something totally different and my LPN actually pays the bills for my "main fun career". My other vocation doesn't pay enough but it keeps me happy and that's important.

So, no, no plans to get my RN.

[vintagestudent]

While in LVN school, it was assumed we'd go on to RN school. I'm okay with ppl staying as LVN/LPNs..whatever floats your boat. I returned to school later in life, so continuing on to RN school will put me somewhere between my mid 50s and early 60s..hmm, I have to wonder if it will be worth it then. For now, I work in home health and still have time to raise the remaining 2 boys in our family, now both high schoolers. All this to say, "we'll see."

(I'd love to study more in-depth nursing formally, but my hubster and boys need me home at this time. For now, I'm content to be a "mature" independent learner absorbing knowledge at my own pace. )

Peace in God.

[CloudySue]

I earned my LPN 3 years ago. I am a mid-life career changer and in my early 40's. I chose the practical nursing program because it was only a year and I didn't have two years to put my life on hold. The plan was always for me to go back immediately for the bridge to RN program, while working as an LPN.

However, that's not how it's working out. As John Lennon said, "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." I'm happily married and my kids are 9 and 7, with the little one having lots of anxiety issues, including Selective Mutism. She's my little shadow from the time I get up in the afternoon until I put her to bed before work. I work nights as a home health nurse and I love it. With overtime I can make a pretty penny. I see no reason right now in my life to mix the overwhelming stress of school to my content personal life, and neglect my younger daughter's emotional needs for the hours of studying I'd have to do. Plus with my agency, RNs make no more than LPNs, and I really have no desire to work anywhere else. I don't even feel like sitting for my BLS recertification, let alone sit for a year of full-time classes.

So... I'm going to enjoy my family, enjoy my job, enjoy my money, enjoy the free time I have, and maybe someday when my girls are teenagers and want nothing to do with me, I'll go suffer through another year of school.

[heegagee]

I'"m a LPN, with 10 years of telemetry nursing and left to care of my mother with Alzheimer's. I can"t get a job anywhere, Maybe walmart will hire me, that is my only chance of working. :{

[Butch52]

I am a former LPN who became an RN because of the situation in the 70s and 80s many hospitals would not use LPNS and job openings were becoming scarce. I felt going back to school and becoming an RN would alleviate that problem. I went and got an Associate Degree and became a RN. It did I worked in ICU and CCU and then went to a nursing home because of working mandatory OT and work schedule. Now I am out LTC I am finding that there is no place for ADNS in hospitals almost all the jobs state "BSN perferred" and ADNS are mostly restricted to nursing homes. My question is how long is it before the BSN trickles down to the LTC industry. You will have the ADNS passing meds and giving care which would elimanate the LPN positions. I suggest that LPNS go back and get their BSNS. I remember in LPN school there was talk of making the BSN the entry level for RNS and ADN for the LPN and everyone said "oh no that will never happen" well guess what it is happening. The worse thing about it is that our state still have diploma RN programs how can they justify training diploma RNs who cant even work in the hospital where they are trained!

[tnmarie]

@heegaee I doubt Wal-Mart will hire you because they know you will leave when you get a nursing job. I was in the same situation and applied to "menial" jobs as well as nursing jobs d/t being unable to find work as an LPN for most of last year. I found a private duty job by the end of the year but I only get about 12-24 hours a week (and I feel lucky to get that much)! I finally decided to go back and get my RN this year.

@ Butch52 They have been talking about phasing out LPN for YEARS now. Now that healthcare is what it is, they may actually have that option. I don't know if LTC will jump on the BSN bandwagon. No offense to BSNs, but most of the BSNs I know wouldn't go near LTC, especially as a floor nurse. I'm pretty sure my Associates will be enough here (I live in a rural area that is over-saturated with LPNs but has an RN scarcity). Otherwise, I'll be going back for my BSN (which I really don't want to do).

[ltownsend]

I am a new grad,been working as a LPN for 15 months now I live in Philadelphia,Pa my first job was homecare peds trach&vent making 32$ a hour. The moral of my story is they still need lpn's 32$ a hour plus 112 hours twice a month is not chump change lol I am very proud of my decision n the only way Ill go back to school is if the company I work for pays for it!!!! So to all my lpn's if things are not WORKIN out for you maybe u need to leave that state where u hold your nursing license. The opportunity for us are endless why because most rn's think they are to good to hit the floor n push a med cart or provide am/pm care in a home setting..... Truth be told if you truly love what you do then you'll never feel like its work

[nurseJimRn, RN]

I have been an LPN for almost 2 years now, licked into my current job, but I'm not making squat. In Ohio most places only hire RN's, and lots want you to have your BSN as well. I have been interviewing schools that I can go to at night, and so far I'm not having much luck there either. What a bummer!!!

[payitforward]

No! There is nothing wrong with being an LPN!!! No there is nothing wrong with being an LPN!! No there is nothing wrong with being an LPN!!! If you are good at what you do and you take pride what you do there is nothing wrong with you being an LPN. I get so annoyed with people thinking that there is something 'wrong' or demeaning about being an LPN. People ask me why dont I go for my RN, and get paid more money, or why dont you go back for your degree? Well first off, I DO have a degree, in fact I have three- my last degree was in Health Care Management. And actually I make good money now. But money shouldnt' be the primary reason. Do you like what you do? Why did you come in this career field in the first place? Some think when you get the " Almighty BSN" that the "cush" jobs are waiting for you, and you don't have to put in any ground work-Whatever. If that's what makes you happy fine. Why didn't I go for my RN? Because I am ALREADY a good nurse. Whether I have 2 or 3 letters behind my name doesn't make me a good or bad nurse.