Advice: Unsure of continuing on to acheive RN

pebbles57 · Jun 13, 2009

I would recommend IV certification if you don't already have it and taking an Advanced Cardiac Life Saving Course ACLS.

I am not sure what region of the states you are in but it seems like there is a greater demand and more opportunity in the South for LPN's. I'm in Ohio and LPN's are being phased out of most hospitals and other settings. I am working on the RN right because of that. If I lived in the south, I don't think I would worry about the RN d/t my age (52 yo).

Mandylpn · Jun 14, 2009

jmho but you are not that old! i am 51 and an lpn, i am going to finish my rn if it kills me. i think it is harder if you stop out, i waited a couple of years to continue for my rn and i am sorry i did that. the last 3-4 years i've been taking pre-reqs such as sciences. i don't think you are ever too old. good luck, you can always come to all nurses for advice.

GAstudentNurse · Jun 15, 2009

Thank you Pebbles and Luv for the response. Certainly have alot to think about. I am in the south, Pebbles, but hear so much about new grads not being able to get jobs and "sitting on their license". At this point in my life, I just want to get out and have a job. If I don't decide to do the time to get my RN, then I will look into these options. Thanks again to you both for taking the time to advise!

j3school · Jun 15, 2009

I am 52 year old male nurse in the south, so don't anyone feel alone because you are old. i just got my lpn license in sept. of ' 08 and have been working in a long term care facility since October of '08. i too am debating whether to go back for my rn. i started in the rn program, so i have all my prereqs. i am just wondering whether to stay in nursing or do something else. there are rewards in dealing with the patients, but so much stress otherwise(working off the clock, paperwork, so much work and so little time etc). it seems to me to be so stressful and the pay is not that great. at least with an rn i would get paid more and wouldn't be limited to ltc. Don't get me wrong i love my patients and have a tremendous respect for older people. my mom (84) is in a nursing home in the last stages of dementia and i am 52 myself, as i said. however, the workload and stress, at least where i work is a lot for my age. i cannot do it on my own. i pray each day for the emotional, physical, spiritual and mental strength to take care of my patients and make it through another day. it is a rewarding but very trying job. :bugeyes:

GAstudentNurse · Jun 15, 2009

Do you really feel that you will be stuck in LTC without your RN? I assumed that I would have to do LTC for awhile to get some experience, but then would be able to go elsewhere after a year or two. If the probability of that not happening is real, then that may be enough to persuade me to go on and get my RN. I loved my clinical experience in LTC; just don't want to be tied to anything as I'm not even sure what area I would like to go into. I have a sister with Cerebral Palsy in a nursing home and I really feel there is such a need for good, quality, caring people to make a difference in that area.

I am a single mom and after two years of school and being broke, broke and did I say BROKE, I am ready to start working and applying what I've worked so hard to acheive. As I said, I also have my first grandson arriving in a few weeks, and I'm so ready to just spend some time with my family. I have put everyone and everything on the back burner the past two years. If I had my core out of the way, I would go on I'm sure. I wish the school I attended would have informed me that the core was not transferable. I feel now as if I must start all over to get my RN. Just very frustrating!

Thanks again for all the advice!!

amjowens · Jun 15, 2009

I am an LPN in Ohio, but work in Michigan. I think it largely depends on the state in which you live, and probably your facility, as to whether you need to continue on. It sounds like it's not as much of a personal thing, but you're trying to make wise career decisions...I happen to think "personal" life is very important, and you're feeling this torn now, then maybe you could wait a semester or so until your grandchild is born and you get to fully experience this. The great thing about nursing (a big part of what attracted me to it) is the flexibility and opportunities that can be had pretty much anytime. There ARE professions out there where age is a factor when it comes to opportunity, but for the most part nursing is NOT one of them....TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE "BENEFITS" OF NURSING!!!

Mandylpn · Jun 15, 2009

i am 52 year old male nurse in the south, so don't anyone feel alone because you are old. i just got my lpn license in sept. of ' 08 and have been working in a long term care facility since october of '08. i too am debating whether to go back for my rn. i started in the rn program, so i have all my prereqs. i am just wondering whether to stay in nursing or do something else. there are rewards in dealing with the patients, but so much stress otherwise(working off the clock, paperwork, so much work and so little time etc). it seems to me to be so stressful and the pay is not that great. at least with an rn i would get paid more and wouldn't be limited to ltc. don't get me wrong i love my patients and have a tremendous respect for older people. my mom (84) is in a nursing home in the last stages of dementia and i am 52 myself, as i said. however, the workload and stress, at least where i work is a lot for my age. i cannot do it on my own. i pray each day for the emotional, physical, spiritual and mental strength to take care of my patients and make it through another day. it is a rewarding but very trying job.

dewd, you rock! :yeah:

pebbles57 · Jun 15, 2009

GAnurse,

I could certainly identify with you and being "broke, broke, broke!" after the LPN. I wanted to go straight through to the RN but just couldn't see going so far into debt at age 50. So I took about 1 year break working as an lpn in an occupational clinic before I started the RN. I just got started on the RN the Excelsior RN program (and still working at the clinic full time). I am able to make big chunk payments on the LPN student loans each month and pay as I go with the Excelsior program. I gave up on getting the RN but after that 1 year break from school everything worked out. I hope I can finish! Said all that to say that maybe a short break is what you need before you continue on. Whatever you do don't give up on your dream 'cause it is never too late!

GAstudentNurse · Jun 16, 2009

Pebbles.......Excelsior....is that an online program? Thanks again for all your advice!

pebbles57 · Jun 16, 2009

--- Yes. I put the link in for you below. It is a great program if you are self disciplined and motivated. For me it is about 1/3 the cost to go to a conventional RN program. The concept of the RN nursing courses are you take one test per course and if you pass you get credit for the course. Excelsior provides the outlines you need to study but you are on your own to get prepared for the test and you take the test at a Pearson Vue Center like you did the NCLEX. They do have online help but not structured courses that a professor would teach and give quizzes, test, etc.

https://www.excelsior.edu/

woo9115 · Jun 16, 2009

Don't know were ur at... Excelsior is a good program for busy bodies... I am taking the Maternity Nursing (they call it Reproductive Health) test in 2 weeks which is equivalent to Nursing Concepts 3 and 4 (they split these concept classes)... After that, I have Life Span 1, 2, & 3 (equal to Nursing Concepts 5 & 6)... I will be done with the didactic; then off to clinicals... I started this correspondance/online RN program in 2002; it's 2009... I just enrolled in Excelsior earlier this year... They allow you to take Nursing 1 and 2 w/o enrolling; and you have 7 years to complete once U enroll... Depending on ur background and college history you may not have to repeat classes... Call em at 888-647-2388 or www.excelsior.edu GOOD LUCK.......