First, all i heard from anyone was "oh you're an LPN, when/are you going back for your RN," which got old in a heartbeat
Now it's "so why didn't you go for the RN in the FIRST PLACE." or "in it for the money, huh" and a few other smart orificed remarks that i'm not thinking of at this time.
I do not think it's jealousy one bit. I think it's a matter of frustration when you're told (like we're not aware LOL) how low you're paid, you're cheap help, etc. and on top of that you have fellow LPNs going back to school.
Is it going to discourage me from school. No, it's just annoying that no matter where you go, what you do, there's people along the way that think they must ask rude, intrusive questions on career and educational choice.
I'm sure when i go for my MSN, there will be someone to say "oh, going for your doctorate?":angryfire
Marie, I've had the same thing happen to me. My own mother in law, who's told people since I've gotten my LPN that I'm a nurse, is now telling people I'm going to school to be a nurse. People ask me all the time why I'm going back and why didn't I just go straight through. I just ignore it as best I can.
I used to get it too when I was an LPN. I was an LPN at the time because its what worked for me. I didn't have all the prereq's to get into the RN program, and didn't want to wait 2 years to start my education to be a nurse and still be making peanuts working fast food. Then when I finished the RN program, people kept asking me when I was going back to become a doctor. Some people are never satisfied. As long as you are happy, thats all that matters.
i am currently in my 2nd semester of mobility RN school (2 more to go : ) ) and yes, i used to hear "why didnt u go to RN school)... well i didnt go because i didnt think i was ready for the RN title.... little did i know that LPNs and RNs function in a very close capacity... YES..... but i was like you, i saw co-workers going to school for the RN, i saw 18 yr olds in RN school (im 30) and realized i wasnt getting any younger, and i knew i could do it,,,,,,, and i have excelled, all A's in every core class, and all A's in every nursing class... its a breeze, i guess those people who were telling me to go back to school just wanted to see me in a higher position, they werent saying it to be negative. now that i look back, i see they were being positive, and that motivated me to go back to school.
I am due to graduate this May from an ADN program. I have worked as an LPN for a long time. Only a few of the LPNs that I have worked with are supportive of this. They come up with all kinds of reasons as to why one should not go back to school. Those most supportive of my move have been the RNs that I have worked with.
I worked as LPN/RPN and then went back to school to become an RN. The people I worked with for years, both RNs and LPNs were very supportive and encouraging. It was my supervisor who gave me the hardest time. There were alot of LPNs returning to school to become RNs at this time and most experienced the same attitude with their supervisors. It was like their attitude was "how dare we step out of place and have the gall to become RNs."
I think you know what you want and should follow that path. I think alot of peole just don't like to see things change within a work environment, and that can include co-workers furthering their education.
I have been a nurse for 4 years. I got my BSN right away- I didn't know any better. I have found the LPN's I have worked with to be some of the most competent, knowlegable, and hardworking nurses! I understand that degrees and certifications are important in establishing credentials and definately help on a resume, but in the "real world", it doesn't mean as much. I've learned great things from not only LPN's but CNA's also. I don't advertise the fact that I have a BSN (nor do I put it on my badge), in part because I'm embarrased at how little I know compared to people "below me", but I don't think of people as better or worse based on degree. There are many reasons why someone may have not have pursued a higher degree. For instance, I had no desire to be doctor. I really think one of the reasons nurses are abused and used so much is because we don't stick together- and I mean the whole team- RN's/LPN's/CNA's, etc. And god bless the housekeepers and unit clerks too! Everyone is important (as you find out when you don't get them). :icon_hug:
I think i found the same experience Idahogirl found. I had a lot of the lPn's i worked with basically cold shoulder me when they found out i was going back to school I think they found it difficult to think about me being their team leader after working beside me so long as a LPN.
They found it wasnt me that changed, and they were wrong. I went back to the same unit i left as a LPN,, it took a little while for people to realize that I hadnt changed. That i was a good RN, and they want to work with me. Is like they know that i know where they are coming from and appreciate it. Good luck,, youll be fine,, just have strength to overlook things and keep going.
i used to get it too when i was an lpn. i was an lpn at the time because its what worked for me. i didn't have all the prereq's to get into the rn program, and didn't want to wait 2 years to start my education to be a nurse and still be making peanuts working fast food. then when i finished the rn program, people kept asking me when i was going back to become a doctor. some people are never satisfied. as long as you are happy, thats all that matters.
i, also, was an lpn because it was what worked for me at the time. it took me 16 years to get my rn. there is such a long waiting list at the local jr. college, it is ridiculous. lpn's have a bit of a "jump start" as to getting in though....with the pre-requisites.
would i have changed things???? naaaaah. had too much fun.
i also dealt with some of what meownsmile dealt with. c'est le vie.
I was an LPN for 26 years and at the age of 46 got my RN. I didn't get any flack while I was in school but after school alot of the LPN's became jealous. They made rude comments about now you've got RN itis. Which I didn't and I still don't. I know what it's like to be an LPN more than I do to be an RN. They are jealous because they haven't been able to get their RN's. Most are going through Excelsior and cannot stay motivated enough to finish. I just let it slide off my back. I have my own insecurities to deal with and no time to worry about theirs. YOU GO GET IT !!! Do it for you because you want to. My motivation was to show my children that education pays and to be a role model to them in the fact that I had my degree. I wasn't going to ask them to do something that I wasn't willing to do myself. My daughter has since graduated with a Bachelors. My son is 16 and planning to go to college and teach high school history.
My younger brother earns a very good honest living but doesn't have a degree. Both of his children did not go to college. My older brother has a Bachelors degree and both of his children have Master's degrees. I believe children learn what they live and what is modeled for them. I definately did it for my children but it turned out to be one of the best moves I've ever made for myself.
SouthernLPN2RN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP
489 Posts
Marie, I've had the same thing happen to me. My own mother in law, who's told people since I've gotten my LPN that I'm a nurse, is now telling people I'm going to school to be a nurse. People ask me all the time why I'm going back and why didn't I just go straight through. I just ignore it as best I can.