Being an LPN

Nurses LPN/LVN

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Hello =] I'm new to the boards and have already learned quite a bit from lurking. I'm planning on retaking an entrance exam later on in the year so I can get into the lpn program January 2015. My ultimate goal is to work in the NICU or Nursery, and I know I'll have to have my RN to do that which I will go back and get, but I was going for my lpn so I can gradually work my way up to where I want to be, PNP. Is this doable? Would it be wiser to just go straight for a BSN? I did terrible in college and have no transferable credits. Also I feel like I'm too old to be going back to school, I'm 22 will be 23 this year.

I was thinking of working as an lpn for a year before going for an RN to gain nursing experience after getting my license. Are there opportunities for lpns to work with children especially in the Tennessee, Arkansas, or Mississippi areas? Where are some places for lpns to work besides in nursing homes? In general what is it like working as an lpn, what are the duties and skills they have?

Any advice and insight will be appreciated:)

Canadian LPNs do assess. We work under our own practice permit and . The only RN that supervises us is the Charge who supervises all nurses on the floor be they R or L.

Specializes in geriatrics, IV, Nurse management.
Canadian LPNs do assess. We work under our own practice permit and malpractice insurance. The only RN that supervises us is the Charge who supervises all nurses on the floor be they R or L.

And some of us have no RN in charge but an RPN or LPN :).

Hi I am from Memphis, Tenn and recently decided to pursue my lpn. I previously attended a BSN program but had to withdraw due to my financial aid ending because I have another degree. However, I decided to take the lpn route to help lay a foundation for me and to help me to get back to my BSN. I hope I am doing the right thing. Can anyone offer any advice?

And some of us have no RN in charge but an RPN or LPN :).

Yup, when I worked LTC, the RN was on call a left the building by 1700

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
Yeah, LPNs do assess, but it's not officially recognized as an assessment. It's pretty clear it's the same darn thing on paper, but an LPN "collects data," rather than "assesses" according to our Nurse Practice Act. It's just a stupid word to delineate the duties between LPN and RN.

This...

As a former LPN, I worked "under" my own scope and license. :blink:

Thanks for the replies Nurses!

NurseDirtyBird: Thank you for the very informative post. It was truly helpful. Now I have a better understanding of what an LPN is and does.

Sallyrnrrt: Thank you, I feel its best that I start from the bottom and work my way up instead of trying to do everything at once. I'm mainly trying to build a foundation in nursing since this is what I really want to do in my life.

Pookyp: Wow 65! That's amazing and inspiring. I know I'm still fairly young, but I guess I feel like I should be graduating or already have my nursing licensing, but now I'm inspired to further my education while I'm still young.

AngelicDarkness: So the roles of LPN varies by state? That's interesting

Lindseylpn: What part of Tennessee do you live? I live in the Shelby County area. Did you get your diploma from Tennessee Technology Center?

T-Bird78: Thank you, now I'm more confident that i made the right choice.

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I'm from east Tennessee. Yes, Tennessee Technology Center :-)

RNs do assessments, lpns do observations...........same thing just different terminology r/t State legislative wording.

Specializes in Peds PDN, Med-surg.

lol you are not too old! I went to school with a 42 year old mother of FIVE and she graduated and passed the NCLEX. She always told me if she can do it anyone can haha. But my first job as an LPN was in Peds Home Health so you could look into that if you want to get Peds experience. Most of the cases at my agency are with kids that have G-tubes/trachs/vents. Now I do Peds Home Health one day a week and I work at a hospital 3 days a week in their Acute Care/ICU. I love being an LPN!

Specializes in Emergency Department.

At 22 going on 23, you're not only young enough to go back to school, conceivably, you could go back to school, get a Bachelor's, apply to, and get into Medical School, graduate that, finish your residency, and pay back your student loans by the time you hit 50... and still have many, many years to pack money away for retirement. Me? I'm 40. Do I have "time" to get through all that? Not really. I could pay off my student loans by the time I'd be about 60, and only have a very few years before I'd want to retire.

At my age, I'd much rather be an RN, be smart with my money, and be very much ready to retire in style when I'm darned good and ready to! I could easily pay back any borrowed funds within 6 months after getting an RN job. Want to retire a Millionaire? You're young enough that with even fairly conservative investing, it's possible! I'd have to be pretty darned aggressive...

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