NEED TO VENT

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

I just got accepted to an LPN to RN program...but they didn't have the space for me so I didn't actually get in (yes, it's backwards and dumb). A friend of mine, who used to be an LPN and actually made it to RN (although via an unaccredited school) just told me that she applied to a BSN program that had 500 applicants and only 96 were chosen.

Another story: at my former job, where a bunch of my friends still work, they're talking about making the facility (a nursing home) RN only, and they plan to oust the LPNs who have been there for 20 years...or find "something" for them to do.

I'm sick of this ********. They want RNs, but we LPNs have a really tough time getting into programs. And now it's even worse, because they only want BSNs, and still, there's no help to get there. I've been busting my ass as a nurse for eight years, doing the grunt work, and before that, as a CNA for four. But it's not like my years of experience count as a member of the nursing profession. All that matters are the letters after my name. Now the patients are in on it, and some of them look down their noses at me for not being a "real nurse".

If I could leave nursing, I would- in half a second. Who can I complain to about this? I'm serious. I want to write a strongly-worded letter to SOMEONE who has a million letters after his or her name and thank him or her for not helping me out of this position, but instead just making it harder for people like me.

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Specializes in Allergy and Immunology.

I am so sorry to hear this is happening to you. I agree, it seems really difficult to get from LPN to RN, or even LPN to BSN for that matter. I was in your same position about 4 years ago. I had applied to 2 Mobility (LPN to RN) programs, only to be denied. And the only LPN to BSN program that was close to me had stopped accepting applicants as their accreditation was being questioned. I ended up going to a very expensive private school that was accredited, where it cost me $16, 000 ( in loans) for 4 semesters. But I just think about it this way; I could have been deterred by the cost of the private school and not applied or I could have waited another year and applied only to possibly be denied by the community college again. But the private school practically let me right in.

I do know some areas do not have enough LPN to RN or LPN to BSN schools in them. All I can say is to be persistent and do not give up on getting your RN. The whole process for me to become CNA, to LPN, to RN (ADN) took me about 8 years no joke, of straight school. No breaks in there. If any one had told me it would have taken that long, I would have gone to medical school. I cringe when it may be time to go back for BSN, because I know that whole process will probably take me another 2-3 years for a total of 10-11 years to go from CNA to BSN.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

I'm so sorry to hear about your difficulty getting into a bridge program.

I think the path to become a nurse is long and it's also not straight.

It's either expensive, time consuming or both.

At times it feels impossible.

But I also believe by faith that if you don't give up you will get there.

As for me, I've been taking prereqs to get into the BSN program since 2010. Lost my job, husband kicked me out d/t my not having an income. I decided to continue to work on prereqs. Took a semester from prereqs to become a CNA, them found out I couldn't find a job as a CNA that paid enough to support my 3 kids and myself while I finished prereqs and nursing school. Continued taking prereqs. While living house to house and in and out of homeless shelters with my kids because I couldn't figure out how to file am order to show cause to force spouse to pay alimony, I was accepted to LVN school. Was homeless for the first 5 months until I figured out how to force him to pay me my share. I graduated LVN school in Nov and went back to school to finish my prereqs in January.

I'm simply committed to continuing on the path to become a nurse as long as God provides a way.

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Specializes in Oncology; medical specialty website.
I'm so sorry to hear about your difficulty getting into a bridge program.

I think the path to become a nurse is long and it's also not straight.

It's either expensive, time consuming or both.

At times it feels impossible.

But I also believe by faith that if you don't give up you will get there.

As for me, I've been taking prereqs to get into the BSN program since 2010. Lost my job, husband kicked me out d/t my not having an income. I decided to continue to work on prereqs. Took a semester from prereqs to become a CNA, them found out I couldn't find a job as a CNA that paid enough to support my 3 kids and myself while I finished prereqs and nursing school. Continued taking prereqs. While living house to house and in and out of homeless shelters with my kids because I couldn't figure out how to file am order to show cause to force spouse to pay alimony, I was accepted to LVN school. Was homeless for the first 5 months until I figured out how to force him to pay me my share. I graduated LVN school in Nov and went back to school to finish my prereqs in January.

I'm simply committed to continuing on the path to become a nurse as long as God provides a way.

You are, quite simply, amazing. :D

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Specializes in Critical Care, Med-Surg, Psych, Geri, LTC, Tele,.

OCNRN 63....you made me smile! Thank you!! (-:

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Hang in there we have "all" felt that frustration at one point. Thumbs up to the nurse from cna to bsn-that's inspirational.

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I'm so sorry to hear about your difficulty getting into a bridge program.

I think the path to become a nurse is long and it's also not straight.

It's either expensive, time consuming or both.

At times it feels impossible.

But I also believe by faith that if you don't give up you will get there.

As for me, I've been taking prereqs to get into the BSN program since 2010. Lost my job, husband kicked me out d/t my not having an income. I decided to continue to work on prereqs. Took a semester from prereqs to become a CNA, them found out I couldn't find a job as a CNA that paid enough to support my 3 kids and myself while I finished prereqs and nursing school. Continued taking prereqs. While living house to house and in and out of homeless shelters with my kids because I couldn't figure out how to file am order to show cause to force spouse to pay alimony, I was accepted to LVN school. Was homeless for the first 5 months until I figured out how to force him to pay me my share. I graduated LVN school in Nov and went back to school to finish my prereqs in January.

I'm simply committed to continuing on the path to become a nurse as long as God provides a way.

Amazing indeed. This is a great story you shared with us and I thank you for it.

*tips hat*

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I am so sorry to hear this is happening to you. I agree, it seems really difficult to get from LPN to RN, or even LPN to BSN for that matter. I was in your same position about 4 years ago. I had applied to 2 Mobility (LPN to RN) programs, only to be denied. And the only LPN to BSN program that was close to me had stopped accepting applicants as their accreditation was being questioned. I ended up going to a very expensive private school that was accredited, where it cost me $16, 000 ( in loans) for 4 semesters. But I just think about it this way; I could have been deterred by the cost of the private school and not applied or I could have waited another year and applied only to possibly be denied by the community college again. But the private school practically let me right in.

I do know some areas do not have enough LPN to RN or LPN to BSN schools in them. All I can say is to be persistent and do not give up on getting your RN. The whole process for me to become CNA, to LPN, to RN (ADN) took me about 8 years no joke, of straight school. No breaks in there. If any one had told me it would have taken that long, I would have gone to medical school. I cringe when it may be time to go back for BSN, because I know that whole process will probably take me another 2-3 years for a total of 10-11 years to go from CNA to BSN.

These aren't the easiest of times. I feel for you...

You've got to stick with what you want however. Venting is great, as long as it helps you build your resolve back up. I've been in a similar situation for some time. Mine of more of a story of financial obligations and immediate relatives that I feel would fall through the floor without my support.

When I was 17 I took a program that allowed me to become an EMT. Worked that job happily for years. Even took the CNA curriculum to help out at our local nursing home - which was constantly, hopelessly understaffed.

Then I became an LPN. I worked primarily Med-Surg, Tele, Ortho/Neuro, ICU stepdown, and ER. I was satisfied with that actually. At least until the hospital I'd been with for years out here in AZ pink slipped me with no explanation. Nowadays, I've been the agency guy. Which is an experiment in hilarity as I've been sent to my former place of employment and had to turn it down because I'm technically still employed there. Rarely get hospital shifts anymore, mostly always being sent to SNF/Medicare Units/Subacute/Vent Units or place that have all of it in one building lol. And they put me in charge due to my experience and ability, which is hard to not take personally in a negative way.

One day, I'll save up the dough to bridge over to ADN. The pay difference will easily allow me to go BSN, then to MSN (the new goal as I'm not getting any younger). It does feel like we are the red headed stepchildren of healthcare most days. Try not to let that, and the roller coaster ride involved with bridge programs get to you.

It'll make you that much stronger in the end. Of this I am sure of...

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Specializes in Medical Surgical.

I know this thread isn't about vintagemother but we can look at her strong faith and gain hope!!! God bless you, my first reaction to your story was you should have kicked him out, but the past is the past and in my spiritual maturity I learned that sometimes to forgive instead of get even is best. Good luck with your bridge program, OP.

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Unfortunately, I feel like the LPN is slowly being phased out. In my area, hospitals are RNs and PCAs. That leaves nursing homes, prisons/jails, and agency jobs for LPNs. There is no room for advancement at these facilities for us, which is very frustrating. Several years ago, I was functioning as ADON. I was told that I could do the job, but that was it. I couldn't claim the title or receive the pay. To make matters worse, guess who trained the new DON when she arrived. LPNs, with years of experience and capable of doing the job, are not given the same opportunities as even new RN grads are receiving. I have been a LPN for 20+ years and finding it harder and harder to find a job. I've been looking into different certs, like MDS or case management, just so I could have a fighting chance. Going back to school isn't really an option right now. If I can get some certs here and there, it will help. I hope. And amari, if it makes you feel any better, I had a supervisor, who was an RN, tell me that LPNs are over-achievers because we had 3 initials behind our names, and she only had 2. Chin up my fellow LPN. Perhaps some day LPNs WILL KICK ASS!

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I feel your pain.. I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place where I'm at too... In order to get into the ADN program at the tech school in my area I have to take A&P II, the school holds all the spots for program students for the first few weeks of registration, once they open the class to non program students there are no spots left.. I can't get into the program without the class, I can't get into the class with out the program! I went to the program director thinking she could offer some insight and her response was "Yeah, it's difficult to get in..." WTH??!!! I've now decided that I am going to try and take the class online through Lakeshore Tech...

And the LTC facility that I have been working at since 2008 decided they no longer wanted LPNs working FT days, I was the only FT LPN on the day shift... I was let go in Sept.. I was never given a clear reason for my termination, just a bunch of bull crap.. They even tried lying to the unemployment worker about why I was let go, it's even stated on my benefits decision forms that my employer had lied during the investigation!! Anywho... Try explaining that during a job interview.. :-(

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