Am I Suited to be an LPN?

[maybeLPN?]

Hi,

I'm thinking about pursuing an LPN program, but I don't know if I have the right temperament/personality to be a nurse.

A little about me:

I'm in my mid-20s, have a B.A. in Health Science, can do well in science classes though they're not my favorite subject, and have an introverted personality. I'm squeamish, very compassionate/sensitive, and have anxiety.

I also am concerned about the level of responsibility an RN has, and I don't think I could handle that. I don't think I could handle working in a hospital; it would be sensory overload and super stressful for me. I wouldn't want to work in an SNF either- I feel it would be very depressing. I had read that LPNs can work in doctor's offices- is that true? Is it difficult for a new grad to find a job in an office right away? I think the ideal place for me would be in a pediatrics office, since I love kids.

I thought about doing an accelerated BSN program, getting a few years of experience, and then going on to become an NP... but having the RN title scares me for the aforementioned reasons. Plus, the education for the LPN program is significantly less costly than the accelerated BSN. If I get a job and decide I don't like nursing, I will not have wasted a huge amount of money. On the other hand, if I do like nursing, I can always do a bridge program LPN-RN, RN-BSN, and BSN-NP. It would take longer, but I'd have so much more experience, which I think would be invaluable.

So... any veteran LPNs have advice for me? Will a sensitive introvert like me wilt in the field of nursing? Could I find a job in a doctor's office?

[caliotter3]

Where I am, doctor offices prefer med assts so they can pay lower wages. Frankly, if you can handle LPN, you can handle RN and vice versa. Actually, an RN license with a BSN degree will increase your employability.