LPN who does not want to be an RN?

Nurses LPN/LVN

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Hello all! I'm a fairly new LPN, I graduated July '14 & I've been working at an assisted living facility since Dec '14. Since I became an LPN I've heard the same questions over and over..." when will you continue on to be an RN? Will you go straight for RN or wait a few years?" & "That's great, LPN is a great foundation while you work towards an RN degree!" Why do people automatically assume that I want to become an RN? Is being an LPN and having it as a lifelong career really that awful? I'm proud to be an LPN. I love what I do & I love the time I get to spend with my residents. I enjoy the clinical aspect of nursing and doing hands on skills. I don't want to take on the responsibilities that RNs have. Sure, the pay is way more for RN, but I feel that right now I could live a comfortable life on my wage of $18 an hour. So my question is.. any LPNs out there who are content with staying an LPN? Do you feel that it is a good career choice?

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I've been an LPN over 20 years, and have no desire to be a RN! I love what I do, and I'm very good at it!

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Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.

I struggled with this for a while. I became an LPN in 2008 and was truly fine with my role up until my most recent job. I always got asked "When are you getting your RN?" as well, it got old after awhile.

My feelings changed when I took a job in a small occ health office. My lead RN was unable to do one part of her job, let alone all of it. So i took on all the roles and responsibilities (we didn't do anything out of LPN scope of practice) in the clinic, basically running the place within a year of being there. I was paid half of what she was, received little recognition, and was often referred to as an MA. It really burned my ass to be honest, the RN (who had been an occ nurse for 20 years) couldn't even draw blood and didn't even want to learn and made several medication/TX errors. I decided then and there I was going back to school, not because I felt I was better than the existing RN's out there but because I was being paid way less but yet repeatedly doing their job as long as it was still within my scope, which 99% of the nursing work was. I am currently half way through school...do I regret it? Not sure yet, I am doing quite well but am also taking on a lot of student loan debt.

If your content being an LPN then be one for sure...just be weary ...I feel like our role is constantly disregarded and not considered to be a "real nurse" so we are paid as such in some areas.

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LPNtoRN, I see your point! I would be very frustrated as well. That is also something I am worried about for when I eventually look for a clinic/office job.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

Nope. I'm happy being a PN. Absolutely no desire to be an RN.

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Happy as a clam right where I am. If I wanted to take on more debt, I'd buy me a fancy sports car.......

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I really enjoy geriatrics (hence the screen name). Rns in my building (ltc) are generally supervisors and not floor nurses. I prefer to work closer with the residents. I honestly enjoyed being a cna but wanted more knowledge and better wages. I make more than what RNs at the hospital make and I have no desire to get my RN at this time. In the future, I will probably go back but only because my work will pay 75% of my schooling.

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I think it's more of a personal pref. I think most LVNs who become RNS do it because they are tired of doing an RNs job but not getting paid for it. I love being an lvn but I to fall victum to getting irritated when an RN has no idea what the heck they are doing. This isnt all RN though, very minimal.

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I love being an LPN and never wanted to go further. I started this career late in life and have been very happy with the jobs I've chosen and the pay. If I just graduated from high school I probably would have gotten my BSN, but at that age and with my background I didn't know where I wanted to be in a hour, never mind the rest of my life.

mc3 :cat:

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Specializes in Hospice.

I became an LPN at age 48. I work on a general inpatient hospice unit. I love my job. I was content to continue as an LPN, I did not want to accumulate more student loan debt going back to school. However, being an LPN on the unit limited what I could do and we were allowed to work to the full scope of my practice. However, we are acute care unit. I often explain it as an ICU for hospice patients. I could see the preference changing, LPNs that were retiring or quitting started being replaced with RNs. They gave me tuition, told me to go back to school. It took me 9 months. I am happy that I did because it allows me to stay in the job I love.

I do understand what you feel I also got those questions. There is nothing wrong with loving what you do and being happy. I mean that is the ultimate goal is to love what you do.

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Specializes in ER LTC MED SURG CLINICS UROLOGY.

I was also content being an LPN. But when I saw the difference in pay and

Respect that RNs got over LPNs I was determined to get that RN

Behind my name. My bridge program took a little over a year. My pay and opportunities actually tripled. Plus I did actually learn a great deal more going back to school. It's a choice I have been very happy with!

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You don't need to convince us, you need to convince yourself.

Enjoy your space in time.. no regrets required.

Best of luck in your career...let us know how it's going :up:

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