Is this what I'm always going to deal with? - Page 3

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  1. Jul 9, '12 by
    By the way, in my area LPN's are much needed in hospitals, dr. office's, nursing homes, and home health. I know many lpn's that work in hospitals around here. Just because your a licensed nurse doesn't mean your destined to only work at nursing homes.... There are many options.
    ElSea likes this.
  2. Jul 9, '12 by
    Quote from Lynne C
    I guess I just need to vent. I was at a party this past weekend and there were a few people from HS there. We have all been out 20 years now, so we were catching up. I was asked what I'm doing now and told them that I have been a stay at home mom for 9 years now and I'm really excited and ready to start the next part of my life in September. Nursing School!

    "Oh that's great! Are you going for your RN?" asked a girl who I later found out was an RN and the other girl with her was also in the medical field, but I can't remember what it was she said she did. We had a couple drinks lol.

    So I reply "No, I'm going for my LPN. Two year program, I'll be going at night so I can be with my kids during the day. I'm so excited!"

    pretty much sums up their reaction. I heard things like "OMG why? Why not just get your BSN?" "You're not going to make good money." (considering I make nothing now as a SAHM, anything is an improvement at this point) "I still think you're making a mistake, you'll want to be an RN." "It's not too late to switch." etc.,

    No, I really do want to be a LPN. Is that so unbelieveable? I was pretty much made to feel like I said my goal was to clean toilets in a prison. So anyway, I guess I just need to toughen up when I hear remarks like that. Is that normal? Will I always have to explain myself? And most of all, will it be like this when I'm looking for work? And if/when I do find a job, will I always be made to feel that way from other nurses, etc.,

    I'm really looking forward to the huge challenge I'm about to face. And I'm scared to death. I hope that's normal. Anyway, thank you for listening.
    Sorry to hear about this reaction. The thing is LPN will be good for your schedule for now. Later on if you want to finish up your RN, it should be easy to find an LPN to RN program that you can allow you to continue to work. If you decide to keep your LPN and not advance then thats fine as well. I finish up my RN program in December. My wife is going to school starting in 2014 for her RN but we nearly took the LPN route for her so she could continue to work. Just whatever makes you happy and fits your life goals. Im sure your friends meant well but people are so quick to tell you how to fix something that you dont feel is broken. Keep your chin up
    ElSea likes this.
  3. Jul 10, '12 by
    Quote from Lynne C
    I guess I just need to vent. I was at a party this past weekend and there were a few people from HS there. We have all been out 20 years now, so we were catching up. I was asked what I'm doing now and told them that I have been a stay at home mom for 9 years now and I'm really excited and ready to start the next part of my life in September. Nursing School!

    "Oh that's great! Are you going for your RN?" asked a girl who I later found out was an RN and the other girl with her was also in the medical field, but I can't remember what it was she said she did. We had a couple drinks lol.

    So I reply "No, I'm going for my LPN. Two year program, I'll be going at night so I can be with my kids during the day. I'm so excited!"

    pretty much sums up their reaction. I heard things like "OMG why? Why not just get your BSN?" "You're not going to make good money." (considering I make nothing now as a SAHM, anything is an improvement at this point) "I still think you're making a mistake, you'll want to be an RN." "It's not too late to switch." etc.,

    No, I really do want to be a LPN. Is that so unbelieveable? I was pretty much made to feel like I said my goal was to clean toilets in a prison. So anyway, I guess I just need to toughen up when I hear remarks like that. Is that normal? Will I always have to explain myself? And most of all, will it be like this when I'm looking for work? And if/when I do find a job, will I always be made to feel that way from other nurses, etc.,

    I'm really looking forward to the huge challenge I'm about to face. And I'm scared to death. I hope that's normal. Anyway, thank you for listening.
    I recently became an RN after working as an LPN for a year (I also went back to school 20 years after high school). I loved working as an LPN!!! But I know what you mean about the remarks - I worked in an Urgent Care, and one day I had a young patient that was about 9 years old, and she looked at the letters "LPN" on my name tag and said, "Oh, you are and LPN - that means LOW PAID NURSE!" I was in shear horror that a child would say something like that!!! Turns out her mother is an RN, so gee, I wonder where she got it from. I think some RN's are just going to be that way - and if they are, they aren't worth wasting your energy on. Where I live there are LOTS of jobs for LPN's - Urgent Care's, clinics, doctor offices, long term care, and even the hospitals around me hire LPN's. The hospital I work at now does - and the one LPN that I know well says that she loves what she does and would NEVER want to be an RN. Don't let what people say get you down - you are making a great decision and congrats to you! Good Luck!!!
  4. Jul 10, '12 by
    Welcome to the world of nursing. No one can make you feel degraded unless you let them. No one can understand your life and choices, only you. I can assure you that you are choosing a wonderful career. There is no one with a big book somewhere asking for your name and checking what you have decided to become. The next time someone mades a stupid comment like that,ask them what they do. Then tell them well I am going to be a nurse, and I'll check back with you in 2 years and see what you have accomplished! You are going to be a nurse, a Realnurse!
  5. Jul 10, '12 by
    Well as a mom in with 5 children who has been in and out of the hospital with illnesses a few times, do not let those snooty RN's who have made their career choice simply for the money that walk into your room and do not make eye contact, look at your child or call either of you by name, take the vitals, draw the blood like a working robot and leave without acting like you are a human being-make you feel any less for being an LPN! I have much admiration for most of the LPNs I know. When I get out of nursing school if I am half the nurse that they are, I will be proud. Nurses are supposed to be compassionate and caring! Unfortunately in my experience with sick children and my own illnesses, it is not always the case!
  6. Jul 10, '12 by
    Quote from Lynne C
    I guess I just need to vent. I was at a party this past weekend and there were a few people from HS there. We have all been out 20 years now, so we were catching up. I was asked what I'm doing now and told them that I have been a stay at home mom for 9 years now and I'm really excited and ready to start the next part of my life in September. Nursing School!

    "Oh that's great! Are you going for your RN?" asked a girl who I later found out was an RN and the other girl with her was also in the medical field, but I can't remember what it was she said she did. We had a couple drinks lol.

    So I reply "No, I'm going for my LPN. Two year program, I'll be going at night so I can be with my kids during the day. I'm so excited!"

    pretty much sums up their reaction. I heard things like "OMG why? Why not just get your BSN?" "You're not going to make good money." (considering I make nothing now as a SAHM, anything is an improvement at this point) "I still think you're making a mistake, you'll want to be an RN." "It's not too late to switch." etc.,

    No, I really do want to be a LPN. Is that so unbelieveable? I was pretty much made to feel like I said my goal was to clean toilets in a prison. So anyway, I guess I just need to toughen up when I hear remarks like that. Is that normal? Will I always have to explain myself? And most of all, will it be like this when I'm looking for work? And if/when I do find a job, will I always be made to feel that way from other nurses, etc.,

    I'm really looking forward to the huge challenge I'm about to face. And I'm scared to death. I hope that's normal. Anyway, thank you for listening.
    Lynne sorry to hear about the reaction you received. I work at a major hospital in Orlando and I'm pursuing nursing school as well (BSN). No matter what you do be happy with YOUR choices no one else's. From experience I do know that a lot of hospitals are hiring only RNs with a BSN degree as new hires. In Florida each hospital is going for what they call a Magnet Status which require nursing to have at least a BSN. We have very few LPNs on staff and that's because they were told to go back to school. I will agree with the RN who spoke to you that you definitely will make more money as an RN but not only that if you could have a higher degree and nursing level in the same amount of time as the LPN I would go for it. I have my first degree in Health Service Administration and in order to be a top administrator i need at least a BSN. No matter what you decide just make sure you do your research and talk to a few LPNs at nursing homes and hospitals and get their advice. Hope this helps and Good Luck to your new life in nursing school.

    Chanel Lesa
  7. Jul 10, '12 by
    Be happy doing what ever you want. Just be sure to research your local healthcare market. Where I live in Vegas, most hospitals don't have LPNs. Not sure about outside of hospitals, also the job market is tough for new grad RN's. Some out of school for a couple years with no jobs. But congrats on going back to school! I stayed home with my daughter for 6 months, and wish I could of afforded to stay home longer.
    ElSea likes this.
  8. Jul 10, '12 by
    i'm not sure about the job outlook for lpnsin my area but i do know i was made to feel a similar way when i announced iwas in an adn rn program, not a bsn program. i got so fed up i told a couplepeople that i would gladly apply to a bsn program if they agreed to cover thecost of the tuition for me. it seems like everyone has an opinion despite thefact you may not want to hear it. you have your own set of reasons andcircumstances that make the lpn option attractive to you - and good for you!just do some research on what jobs are available to you in your area was a futurelpn. good luck.
    ElSea likes this.
  9. Jul 10, '12 by
    Quote from taramade
    The biggest insult is when a friend of mine who is becoming a medical assistant told me her instructor told the class "Don't go to LPN school, it is a waste of time. You can do everything an LPN does as a MA." Oh my gosh I started LOL. Really??? Do people actually believe that crap? I don't care what anyone says anymore, I am proud to be going to school to become a licensed NURSE and one day hope to bridge to RN. But, until then LPN is just fine with me...
    oh man, my friend and I would have gotten into an arguement after that lol. And good luck to you as well!!
  10. Jul 10, '12 by
    Quote from aeklein
    I recently became an RN after working as an LPN for a year (I also went back to school 20 years after high school). I loved working as an LPN!!! But I know what you mean about the remarks - I worked in an Urgent Care, and one day I had a young patient that was about 9 years old, and she looked at the letters "LPN" on my name tag and said, "Oh, you are and LPN - that means LOW PAID NURSE!" I was in shear horror that a child would say something like that!!! Turns out her mother is an RN, so gee, I wonder where she got it from. I think some RN's are just going to be that way - and if they are, they aren't worth wasting your energy on. Where I live there are LOTS of jobs for LPN's - Urgent Care's, clinics, doctor offices, long term care, and even the hospitals around me hire LPN's. The hospital I work at now does - and the one LPN that I know well says that she loves what she does and would NEVER want to be an RN. Don't let what people say get you down - you are making a great decision and congrats to you! Good Luck!!!
    Ok, my eyes literally bugged out of my head reading what that child said. And thanks so much for the support!