Advice/encouragement for new LPN student!

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I'm starting the LPN program soon. I'm eager to start, yet after reading post after post it seems discouraging to enter this field. I don't understand the negative banter between the LPN's and RN's. I feel more comfortable receiving orders than giving them...........so I thought an LPN certificate would be for me. I'm also very curious as to how difficult or easy others found their program(s) to be? Medicine has always come very easy to me, my interest in it never wanes. So any suggestions to the above would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Specializes in ER.
I'm starting the LPN program soon. I'm eager to start, yet after reading post after post it seems discouraging to enter this field. I don't understand the negative banter between the LPN's and RN's. I feel more comfortable receiving orders than giving them...........so I thought an LPN certificate would be for me. I'm also very curious as to how difficult or easy others found their program(s) to be? Medicine has always come very easy to me, my interest in it never wanes. So any suggestions to the above would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have personally never witnessed the RN-LPN negative banter in real life, but I know that it must exist because I know many, many techs and LPN's do not like RN students. However, this is a reflection of some rude RN students and not at all a reflection of how important and truly valued LPN's are. Follow your heart, there will be jerks no matter what you choose but that's their problem, not yours.

T

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Specializes in Level III cardiac/telemetry.

I started my LPN program in May. The work is easy for me, but this type of information has always come easy to me and I enjoy the material. I know there is a lot of negative RN and LPN stuff out there but I just try to ignore it. However, I am planning to complete a LPN-RN bridge program. For me, going the LPN route first was faster and is a great way to get more hands-on nursing experience. Don't get discouraged - there are jobs available for LPNs, but they may be limited in some hospitals. Goodluck with your program!

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I believe that LPN is a great starting point for a career depending on where you live. I just graduated and have been looking for about 2 months for a job. I just recently passed the nclex and got my liceanse so it should be relatively easy to find a job now. My state has lower wages than alot of the country so starting wage is around 15.00 hrly in long term care. LPN's do alot of the same work as a RN and it is just one year at a 1+1 program to get your RN and in this area both LPN and 1+1 programs are easier to get into with less wait than going straight for RN. By the way I am from West Virginia.

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Thanks for all of your words of encouragement! It's just frustrating at times when you hear all of that jazz on who's better, who's more educated, who's more capable, and so on. Since medicine comes easily to me too, I suppose I'll stop my anticipation and worry over my soon to start program. Good luck to all of you fellow nurses/student nurses!!!

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Specializes in LDRP.

You know, you can actually make a difference in your own situation by refusing to participate in this kind of stuff...you are going to encounter all kinds of people in nursing. Some have a chip on their shoulder...so be polite, be respectful and otherwise, stay away! ;) I refuse to enter into the gossip and attitudes in the workplace...and I treat everyone w/ respect whether they are a doc, a housecleaning person, an LPN, a student, dietary aid, etc. I've had plent of RN's breath down my neck (my mom was one and has been doing that my whole life-LOL) and I have learned to defend myself in a respectful, polite, positive way...and have made lots of friends because of it--yeah, most everyone has a heart out there! Ultimately, we have enough to deal with without treating each other like crap.

:)

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You are so right. I won't participate in the gossip. Nor will I pay any futher attention to it. I will vow to hold my head high. I will do my best in school for myself, my family, and for my prospective patients. Thanks again!!!!!!

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Well, I guess I can toss my RN cap into the ring !

I'd go with much of the advice posted about not getting involved in that at all...you're WAY too new to get caught up in the negativity--anyone's negativity--it's always debilitating.

As for the reason it's there at all (when it IS there, it's not there as much as I fear you may think), I find it stems from insecurities. Either it's the new RN who needs to try to impress others and increase her importance by being "above" the LPN, OR it's an LPN who (equally insecure) is jealous or tries to demonstrate her importance, knowledge, whatever, by spouting off negatively about the RNs (or RN students).

In both cases, the recipient of the ire isn't pleased, and it continues in a vicious cycle.

Do yourself a favor. Respect ALL for their individual abilities, regardless of title. I recall a clinical experience where I had far more respect for a certain PCT's patient care abilities than a staff LPN. And more respect for another staff LPN than I did for an RN.

Earn it, baby :D

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I just finished my preceptor with an RN as a PN student and I was on a med surg floor and didn't see any problem between LPN's and RN's. I have heard that the experienced nurses "eat their young" I know I will not trust anyone when I start out on my own but as far as friction between the 2 I did not see any. Good Luck starting. I graduate next Thursday and it goes by fast!!! :mortarboard:

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