Anyone gone from RN back to LPN????

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I worked as an office nurse (LPN) for about a decade, then decided to go back to school to be an RN. Trouble is, I really miss the doctor's office! Around these parts, only LPN's are hired for offices, RN's for hospitals, etc. I'm at a point in my life that I don't have to make top pay; I'd like to get back into my "safe nest".

Has anyone had experience making their RN inactive, and reactivating their LPN license? Can this even be done? I emailed the question to our state board of nursing, but they wouldn't really give me a straight answer; all they said was "You can't have both RN and LPN licenses at the same time."

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Specializes in APRN, ACNP-BC, CNOR, RNFA.

If there are any medical school affiliated hospitals near you, they always have RNs in their specialty clinics. Some are in patient care, others are in management over LPNs. You don't have to leave the hospital to get that clinic feel.

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.

Moved to LPN Forum :)

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Why would it matter if you were an RN vs. LPN except for pay????? I can't imagine any Drs. office that wouldn't want an RN for an LPN's salary!!!!!!

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

Hi nurseruby, just saw this today and know it's a bit dated, but I would first thoroughly research your state's BON position on that, especially if you felt you didn't get a straight answer the first time. This is one of the most common questions I read here, and one that seems to draw in all manner of opinions. I certainly know about that "comfort zone" feeling having worked both high-stress and high-but-manageable stress jobs. I loved outpatient/ambulatory care, too.

If you aren't comfortable working for less pay with your RN license in the doctor's office, it seems the idea of keeping your RN license on "inactive" status would make sense, since you can't work as an RN until you provide them with proof you've updated your CEU requirements (assuming your state's rules are similar to mine).

I've found it's really worth the time to dig into your state BON's resources that aren't readily apparent until you search with a keyword that returns the info you need. Best wishes to you!

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