Any LPN's out there?

I am in a 14 mos. LPN program right now. I think of LPN's as Nurses "Lite". I never intened to jump into a RN program. LPN transition to BSN at my leisure has always been my plan. I'll get to get my feet wet, and see the full responsibilites of an RN before becoming one. I like that! LPN to ASN can be done online in 2 yrs or less. LPN to BSN a bit longer. Unless you don't want to be bedside, what's the hurry?

After not being admitted (much to my dismay) into the RN program I applied for, I have decided to enter an LPN program instead. Just wondering if there are any other LPN's hanging around here. Where do you work? Do you enjoy it? How and in what ways does it differ from an RN? Any advice and info would be fabulous! Thanks!!

Well Boarderchick, I am an LPN who is currently in school to become an RN. Not that being an LPN isn't good enough, just not where I want to be ultimately. I think that you will like LPN training. I work in the ER at the hospital where I have been a PCT for 4 years. I get to stay on my unit because of my history with them, and the fact that I am going for my RN. I like my work and feel very grateful to be able to make this transitionary step so that I can work as a nurse and get my footing a bit in that respect before actually becoming an RN. Kind of like getting my toes wet without jumping into the deep end of the pool. It does have some differences from being an RN. The state board here limits an LPN to not doing initial assessments, not hanging blood products/transfusing pts, and not pushing IV meds. Not a big deal. My facility however, is still checking into somethings that the state board says I can do, but they are not letting LPN's do just yet within our facility until they get clarification. If you want to get into nursing and haven't been accepted into a program yet, LPN classes would be a great place to start. Try to get into a program that gets you IV certified as part of the class. It does make a big difference. I love my job. I drive clear across town to get to and from work, but I work with the best group of people, and am very thankful to be a part of that team. Good luck to you. Hope you find what's there in your heart.

Welcome to the zoo! You're gonna love it here!

:monkeydance: Sorry BerryHappy, but lpn's/lvn's aren't "nurses lite", there just NURSES to me!!

I also started off going to a bsn program. After 2 yrs of prerequisites and 3 attempts at trying to get into the nursing program, I decided to get the lvn license. I 'm glad I did because I achieved my goal of becoming a nurse. I plan on entering an lvn-rn transition program and I believe being an lvn will be an advantage!!!

Welcome to the jungle... I'm an LPN work in an LTCF... There are days that are great and then there are days that suck... Just keep your head on straight and remember to keep caffeine and cookies on hand they help every bad situation!!

Nurses' Lite???? Seriously are you kidding me???? There are no RN's on my unit and I do just as much work as an RN does!!!!! So you can take your nurses' lite idea somewhere else because it's insane.... LPN and RN both have nurse in the title...

And by the way I have realized that some LPN's know alot more than RN's....

I'm just tossing that out there for something everyone can chew on!!!!!

Thanks for all of the great input everyone! Hopefully, if everything goes right, I'll be starting my LPN coursework in October. I'm very excited about it! I will definitely check out the LPN corner!

After not being admitted (much to my dismay) into the RN program I applied for, I have decided to enter an LPN program instead. Just wondering if there are any other LPN's hanging around here. Where do you work? Do you enjoy it? How and in what ways does it differ from an RN? Any advice and info would be fabulous! Thanks!!

Hi, Boarderchick

My situation was "identical" to yours. The RN Programs were so hard to get into in the City of New York. As a result of that, I decided to go for the LPN Program. I got in and graduated in 1999, and I passed the NCLEX-PN in the same year...and I became an RN in 2004. Being an LPN wasn't easy, inasmuch as the only place to get a job was nursing home. Anyway, I never liked it...40 patients....it was just too much. If becoming an RN is what you want, then use the LPN Program as a stepping stone.

Yeah, that's kinda what my ultimate plan is. Become an LPN and then go for the whole RN thing after that. But who knows, maybe I'll be quite content as an LPN and just stick with it. Only time will tell... As for now though, this path just feels right to me. I feel great about what I will be doing.