So, when are you going to get your RN?

If most LPN's had a dime for each time they heard those words, we would all be rich, and not have to work at all. LPN's are an intergral part of a health care team. They have a place in nursing. We can never discount that for some, becoming an LPN was the goal. And that we can be happy and content in that role. Nurses Announcements Archive Article

So, when are you going to get your RN?

I am a happy LPN. I got my LPN late in life, because circumstances were all in place for me to do so. I was interested in increasing my clinical skill set. It was a perfect plan.

When I was younger, I graduated from High School with a goal in life of popping out babies and baking bread with a husband that would work. (To all you younger readers, this was a viable option in my day). I successfully raised kids, and when school time came, I was interested in something more. I was not an ideal student in high school, and took the local EMT course to perhaps do a little call, raise a few kids......even had the white picket fence. Then, family was ill and my parents sent me to CNA certification, and I spent some time with family taking care of them. Humbling, for sure.

I wouldn't call myself a "book smart" kind of a person. But show me, and I was right on it. To travel for an RN course of study, after many years out of school, and not the most ideal learner of abstract things read in books that then have to transpose to real life, was not on the table. My kids were reaching college age. It was their time. I took a job as a CNA at the local hospital. Life was good and I liked what I did.

Times change and so do values. The economy took a nose dive, I live in a geographically remote area, and it became obvious pretty quickly that I needed to go to an alternate level if I was going to be financially responsible in part to keep a roof. What work did for me was to give me a feeling of independence that I never knew. I could take care of things myself. It was liberating and enlightening.

I took 18 months of my life, made it work, went to a pilot LPN program in our area that seemed to come out of the blue, and continued to work in a different capacity in the same hospital I was employed at as a CNA. It allowed me a bit more pay, to focus on clinical skills that I love so much, and to be a different part of the same team.

Being an LPN is a good thing. It focuses on parts of nursing that may be most applicable to where you are in life. I have great admiration for RN's of every caliber. It is amazing to be able to increase your education to the highest level possible and I don't for a moment think that continuing one's education is a bad thing.

But for me, and many others like me, being an LPN is what we want to do. That is the end goal. It is what is comfortable, what the priority is, what the dream was and was realized. And that is ok. So no, not every LPN wants to continue on to become an RN. Some are happy right where they are.

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jadelpn

About jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

It seems these days that everyone is pushing, if you've got your LPN, get your RN. If you've got your ADN, get your BSN or MSN. What if everyone wants to "move up"? Who would be left doing the work? I always wonder why hard working people can't be valued for what they provide rather than reminded they could become something else (better- in someone's opinion). Good for you for working for what you got, and enjoying what you have.

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Good for you! There is absolutely nothing wrong with that! Believe me, it doesn't matter what kind of nurse you are, there will always be people who think you should go on and further your education. I have a BSN and am always getting informed I should get NP degree. I don't want to be a NP! I'm happy right where I am. I am saddened by what is happening to the LPN's in our hospital and many others lately! I have the greatest respect for all the LPN's, PCT's, etc that I work with and I don't look down on anyone just because their job is different. Everyone helps make the day go smoother if they do their job! Don't ever let anyone make you feel bad for realizing your dream!

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Specializes in PCCN.

It's just so employers can boast. I have no interest.Do what works for you.

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When am I going to get "my" RN? The answer: When **** freezes over! I've been an LPN for 23 years. It was what I set out to do, and I'm still happy and content. If I had wanted to be an RN, I would have gone to RN school at age 19 instead.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I would love to remain an LPN...

::edit:: cut lots of stuff out because I started to uselessly rant

Sadly, if I want to avoid further emotional abuse and burn out from my co-workers at the ER, I need to become an RN lest, I become an unmotivated automaton.

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Jade, thank you for writing such a beautiful yet informative article. I definitely agree, that it is OKAY to be a LPN, or CNA, or ADN, BSN and etc. I also agree with the previous poster that stated that if everyone moved up then who would do their job. At first I had dreams of obtaining a MSN, however I realized that I do love the bedside and also love to teach. I figured I'll get my BSN and stop there, and that is OKAY. I'm perfectly content with my decision and no longer feel stressed. Unfortunately, I'm a ways away from my BSN but I'm taking baby steps to get there. It's nice to know that I'm done with school after my BSN!!! Never done learning but done with school .

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I have been told that hospitals aren't hiring unless you have your BSN. I am about to start an ADN program and already people are encouraging me to enter a BSN program upon completion. Is this true?

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.
I have been told that hospitals aren't hiring unless you have your BSN. I am about to start an ADN program and already people are encouraging me to enter a BSN program upon completion. Is this true?

No it is not true, and you will find further elaboration in the RN forum with anything marked ADN / BSN. It is a rampant debate and misconception.

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Here's the deal, there's nothing wrong with being an LPN, but it *is* true that job opportunities in acute care are dwindling fast for LPNs.

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Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.
It seems these days that everyone is pushing, if you've got your LPN, get your RN. If you've got your ADN, get your BSN or MSN. What if everyone wants to "move up"? Who would be left doing the work? I always wonder why hard working people can't be valued for what they provide rather than reminded they could become something else (better- in someone's opinion). Good for you for working for what you got, and enjoying what you have.

I was just talking about this at work. I am an ADN going back for my BSN and keep hearing "Why don't you get your MSN?"

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We have a hospital in our area that states "BSN preferred" on all their RN job postings so no it's not required but you can bet the BSN will get looked at first. All of our hospitals around here are phasing out LPN's. Someone said it has to do with the new govt health plan that goes in effect next year with getting more reimbursement through Medicare with RN's. I have no idea if that's true but either way it's happening. However, most of our doctor's offices are now hiring a lot of LPN's instead of RN's.

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