Any Regrets?

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jan 8, 2005

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We're all entitled to our feelings. Posters should be courteous. While disagreement in a debate is expected, personal attacks are not allowed.

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Karen

km nurse · Jan 10, 2005

Hi...Im wondering if any of the LPNs that are going for their RN regret that they didnt just do the RN right off the bat....I would really appreciate some feedback because im thinking on going to LPN school in February (no waiting list...lol yessss).

I have been an lpn for 13 yrs and even though i love my job i wish that i had just went straight to rn school . In my experience lpns do not get the respect than an rn does. A lot of people don't even consider you a nurse. I was flipping through my phone book the other day...the section telling others about our town and it mentions the drs. and rn's along with other professionals in our area. i guess lpns are not considered pros. just one example of many. good luck to you. you are doing the right thing..

Mandylpn · Jan 11, 2005

Hi...Im wondering if any of the LPNs that are going for their RN regret that they didnt just do the RN right off the bat....I would really appreciate some feedback because im thinking on going to LPN school in February (no waiting list...lol yessss).

I started out going for my RN, found out how hard it was to get in the program, switched over to the LPN program and taking my state boards tomorrow. No regrets whatsoever. A lot of the ADN programs in my state require you to be an LPN to apply. That is the route I am going. I think it will be easier, but just my opinion. Good luck with your decision.

Mandylpn · Jan 11, 2005

New Grad here and 50 years old!! I do wish I would have done it when I was younger and then eventually do the rn program etc... but I am the happiest person around. I just love my job and the patients and I feel like this is where Im supposed to be at this particular time in my life. I am more professional than most as I have a history.. was a secretary so I know how to answer the phone and talk professionally... worked as a MA in my 30's for several doctors so Im not afraid to interact with drs.. and any other ...s o whatever you decide think positvely about it and it will all work out.. and you can always continue to further your education...its up to you.... and only you how far you want to take it and if you dont go any further than "just an Lpn" "that cracks me up" you dont have to , just be an advocate for your patient you are there voices, and provide them with the care you were trained to do.
Best of luck to you..

Way to go!!!!!!!!!! I am 47 and just graduated from LPN training! I was a transcriptionist for 8 years, so I have the experience, like you said, dealing with people and the doctors. I think that is an asset for me. :smokin: Ooophs, I should be studying for boards tomorrow instead of being online! :chuckle :chuckle :chuckle :chuckle :chuckle

actioncat · Jan 11, 2005

When I decided to go back to nursing school I had to make the choice between an LPN program and BSN. I went witht he BSN and don't regret it, but I can see many benefits of doing it the other way too.

When I started on my floor I was a little envious of the LPN and thought I wish I had done that. We utilize LPNs as LPNs-- not CNAs or RNs. They do not take a patient load, but float about the unit helping the RNs-- performing nursing tasks that it is in their scope of practice. Our LPNs know a lot and I am very grateful for their presence. Their job is a little easier, however, because if they don't have time to help with a task they can say so, whereas as an RN we just have to finish no matter what.

Anyway, when I started on my floor I thought that would be a very nice way to get my feet wet. Still, I have to remember it probably would be easier for me because I had three years of nursing school (plus a prior BA) and the LPN just had one year.

ETA; Oh yeah, here is my point. I think it is important if you are an LPN to find a position that does not just use you like an RN. I think I would be resentful under those circumstances-- same work, less pay. On the other hand, if you could find a position such as the one I described, I would think the LPN route would be a very viable option.

busylynn · Jan 11, 2005

Hi. I have been an LPN for 15 years and I will graduate from RN school in April of this year. I have NO regrets!!!!!!! Every procedure that I learned, I learned in LPN school. When I started the RN program (and it is not a bridge program), I was surprised that they do not push learning procedures. They just push the book knowledge and careplans. I thought that maybe it was my school that I was enrolled in but I have talked to a lot of nurses and they say the same thing. RN's are expected to learn procedures in the field. So, I am so thankful, I know sterile technique, I know how to start IV's, I can put a catheter in no problem. They NEW RN's that I have worked with have NOT done half of these things in RN school. They know why the patient may need them but not how to do them. Everyone is different but I feel that being an LPN first has made me a better nurse. Good Luck!!!!!!!

Hi...Im wondering if any of the LPNs that are going for their RN regret that they didnt just do the RN right off the bat....I would really appreciate some feedback because im thinking on going to LPN school in February (no waiting list...lol yessss).

kimlpn · Jan 11, 2005

I wish I would have taken the RN program from the start but life at the time did not allow me to do so. I completed LPN school in 95 and am currently an LPN. I just finished the EC RN program and will take state boards in a few months!!! I am so glad this option was open to me. I do not regret my years as an LPN because I learned sooooo many things! I do however think many times LPN's do not get much respect. Many times I felt others perceived me as not a "real" nurse....anyone who is or has been an LPN can verify they are "real" nurses!!!! I have so much respect for LPN's and CNA's....I started way back as a CNA also. All levels of nurses and CNA's are needed and are a vital part of the nursing community! I am glad to finally be done with the RN program so I may get more pay and open new doors that were closed to me as an LPN!

Kim

angelkay · Jan 11, 2005

Hi...Im wondering if any of the LPNs that are going for their RN regret that they didnt just do the RN right off the bat....I would really appreciate some feedback because im thinking on going to LPN school in February (no waiting list...lol yessss).

undefinedWell, I am an LPN also, I thought I was going to go for my RN right after but I chose to go to work first, then I started making money. NOw I am sure I want to go for my Rn simply because I want more of of this career. I wish I had done it in the beginning but Its NEVER too late to go for your RN. :)

Kimily · Jan 13, 2005

I have posted on this subject once before but wanted to respond to a couple of the last few posts. I dont really think that I would like personally for me to go to work and be able to have no patient load, and just float to see who needs help. Where I work the LPN and the RN have the same pt. load , do the same tasks, the same charting. Yes, the RN's have to push some meds ( IF a BARD ) isnt available, or put down the NG tube for us, but they do get paid more to do it, so its fair. WE all work as a team and we are all nurses. I to want to be a RN but wanted to be in the field sooner than 3 years so I chose LPN first, I will bridge over or use EC when that time comes for me, but I am greatfull for my LPN schooling. Here in FL where I live, the LPN schooling has twice as much clinical experience than the RN program. We never performed procedures without a instructor present until we were told we were competent enough to do so, and never gave any meds without one. Our RN's go out with no instrutor and get with a preceptor that may or may not have the time to spend with that student that day, we had many times where they asked us to help. Im not downing it in anyway, its just varifiable fact. RN's do get way more indepth with theory and concepts, that is important, to be a good nurse you have to be able to do hands on and be as knowledgeable as you can be. I look forward to continuing my education to RN, but I believe my LPN skills and the experience I have gotten through utilizing them will definately make me a better one. Thanks

CSLee3, ASN, BSN, LVN, EMT-P · Jan 13, 2005

Kim, I hear ya....I chose LVN school because there was no wait, the ADN class had a two year wait list. SO off I went, 12 months, tons of clinicals and bam straight into med surg at big hospital....I immediately started with Excelsior college and just recently finished that up!! It took me 18 months to complete Excelsior...(I could have went quicker, just ran out of money now and then). I have NO regrets...manily because LVN/LPNs are trained so well, my skills were never an issue! So by going to LVN school first, it put me in the workforce much sooner and I was able to bring home decent salary and finish EC at MY pace....NO regrets....best of luck to you!!!

NavyWife · Jan 21, 2005

Not sure if this will help you or not, but a close family friend of ours started out as a CNA right out of highschool, had a baby, (baby is only 2 years younger than me :) ) went LPN, RN, ect. As of 2000, she is now a MD. She doesn't regret any step of the way.

NicInNC, CNA · Feb 6, 2005

if it takes me 4 years at 1 class a semester then so be it, Im already a nurse doing what I love, having more money to do that job will be a added bonus , but my heart is in the care of the patients, a RN can do some things we cant , but taking the joy I feel as a LPN away is never going to be one of them. Good Luck to you, no matter what you decide!

I love this quote. I am currently in the ADN program but am thinking of going into the LPN program instead. I've been a SAHM for the past 7 years, so work of any kind would be a welcome break from being stuck at home. Everyone talks about how LPN's get the dirty work and much less pay. Right now, I'm not getting ANY pay. My hubby is the breadmaker. So even $5/hr would be more than what I'm making. My DREAM is to become a nurse. I want to help others. I want to be that nurse that a patient will remember. I want to touch lives.

I just don't know what to do, but you saying how you do what you love was an inspiration to me. I just wish I wasn't still so confused. I've been a SAHM for this long, so if I just go for LPN and decide to go back to school at a latter time won't be a big deal.

What to do.....what to do......what to do.....