Anyone okay with just being a nurse?

I'm in an ADN program, I don't even think I want to get my BSN. Maybe, we'll see...

That you might not be able to avoid. Lots of hospitals now are saying that their nurses have to get a Bachelors if they want to stay employed...

That you might not be able to avoid. Lots of hospitals now are saying that their nurses have to get a Bachelors if they want to stay employed...

They've been saying that for years. I'm only 22 and I remember them saying that when I was a freshmen in high school, along with how LPN's were gonna be phased out. Next thing you know they're gonna be saying that BSN's are no good and you need a MSN to stay employed. It's like a never ending cycle. Nursing is the only profession I can think of that does this...

They've been saying that for years. I'm only 22 and I remember them saying that when I was a freshmen in high school, along with how LPN's were gonna be phased out. Next thing you know they're gonna be saying that BSN's are no good and you need a MSN to stay employed. It's like a never ending cycle. Nursing is the only profession I can think of that does this...

This is very true! There have been rumors going around for years that they want to get rid of the LPN status, then the HCA status and us the LPN's as a nurse/aide combo.. it really is never ending. My city only offers a BN program now, they got rid of their accelerated RN and the RN courses, and only one college teaches the LPN program.

They've been saying that for years. I'm only 22 and I remember them saying that when I was a freshmen in high school, along with how LPN's were gonna be phased out. Next thing you know they're gonna be saying that BSN's are no good and you need a MSN to stay employed. It's like a never ending cycle. Nursing is the only profession I can think of that does this...

Here a lot of the LPN's have been phased out. Pretty much the LPN's here can only work in the Jail, Nursing home, or a few of the clinics. None of that do the hospitals consider acute care experience. I wish it wasn't that way. If it wasn't than I would have done the LNP course this summer that we are eligible to do after our first year of Nursing School. It's a 3 days class with I think it was 80 hours of clinicals and than you were eligible to sit for the LPN boards. A lot of our hospitals here are taking BSN's over ADN's as well. That is my primary reason I plan on going onto the RN-BSN bridge program. It isn't because I want to get into management. That and in case I do decide to go into being an instructor than I will only need to move on to the Masters.

But I have heard this really varies on the area. I know other areas still hire LPN's at the hospitals and other fields.

I am also struggling with this idea... I'm in an accelerated entry-level master's nursing program right now and about to finish the BSN part and take the NCLEX in 4 months. I can either quit then and hopefully get a job, OR keep going in the program to obtain a FNP or PNP, which takes an additional 18 months. I think I'd actually be happy being "just a nurse" and am not sure I would like all the autonomy and responsibility of being an NP, especially with no nursing experience yet! I'm also so sick of school since I have a bachelors degree in something else already, and have been doing prereqs and nursing school for about 3 years now. It's so hard to decide whether or not to quit after my BSN since I'm already IN this program, and most of the other students in my class are continuing on. But I really want to work in the NICU and think I would like doing bedside care of the babies much more than diagnosing, prescribing, case management, etc. I know NPs make more money, and usually don't have to work nights, weekends, and holidays, and all that, but I'm not sure it's for me. I just feel guilty quitting when I'm already in the program! So I'm glad to know some of you feel the same way :) I just don't want to regret quitting sometime later in life. What do you guys think?? Would it be stupid not to keep going to get an NP degree?

Nursing will be my 2nd career as well. I sat behind a desk for 6 years and I'm looking forward to a job that requires me to be on my feet and moving around instead of sitting on my tookus. So, I have absolutely no desire to go into the management end of nursing. I am, however, thinking about additional training (Wound, ostomy, and incontinence nursing) and possibly a masters degree in my future. If that never happens, though, I'm more than okay with being "just a nurse". It's a degree/career to be proud of.

I'm going to finish up my RN year at a CC and be done (at least for now!). I feel like I've already missed out on so much with my daughter. So when my children (I plan on having more kids) are all grown then I may look at continuing on and getting my bachelors or masters. But at this point I can't see wanting a desk job. There is a lot of pressure with a desk job IMO. Way more than the pay is!

None, zippo, nada, zilch to further my education in clinical practice. However, I am seriously considering the idea of finishing off my certain-to-be-stellar practicing career as a teacher of nursing.

I'm just not sure if I should graduate from my BSN program, get a job, then do night classes as a nurse educator to get the sheepskin in the bag. Or, if I should graduate, get a job, work for a few years, then get the academic credentials. Either way, no self-respecting program would hire me until I have a five or more years of bedside practice, but I'm just not sure if I should get the academic part of it out of the way sooner.

Here a lot of the LPN's have been phased out. Pretty much the LPN's here can only work in the Jail, Nursing home, or a few of the clinics. None of that do the hospitals consider acute care experience. I wish it wasn't that way. If it wasn't than I would have done the LNP course this summer that we are eligible to do after our first year of Nursing School. It's a 3 days class with I think it was 80 hours of clinicals and than you were eligible to sit for the LPN boards. A lot of our hospitals here are taking BSN's over ADN's as well. That is my primary reason I plan on going onto the RN-BSN bridge program. It isn't because I want to get into management. That and in case I do decide to go into being an instructor than I will only need to move on to the Masters.

But I have heard this really varies on the area. I know other areas still hire LPN's at the hospitals and other fields.

They've been saying that for years. I'm only 22 and I remember them saying that when I was a freshmen in high school, along with how LPN's were gonna be phased out. Next thing you know they're gonna be saying that BSN's are no good and you need a MSN to stay employed. It's like a never ending cycle. Nursing is the only profession I can think of that does this...

Around me it's mostly RNs that get hired, and LPNs are primarily working in LTC settings.

We were talking about this in class yesterday, and think about it, nursing is one of the only professions that you can get into without a 4+ year degree. If you want to teach anything above early childhood ed, you need a 4 year degree. If you want to be lawyer, you'll be in school for 4 years of undergrad and 3 years of law school. A doctor? Again, 4 years of undergrad and 4 years of medical school, then years of residency. An accountant generally needs a 4 year degree as does an engineer.

Also, the trend is starting. There is one hospital in New York that is now about to start requiring any new employee to have a BSN. Yes, they are the first in the state, but there are many other hospitals that are talking about it, and now that one has made the move, more will probably follow.

Its part of the BSN in 10 initiative. Giving a person 10 years to get their BSN. It is being teased in many states

I'm 21 a LPN going for ADN then BSN. After BSN I'm done.Because I'm young friends and family wants me to become a CRNA or have a MSN. However, I have no desires to have those degrees. I know I don't want to do bedside all my life but I would love to teach birthing classes or get certified in something. I also would love to teach nursing assistants or clinicals ( which in my are only requires a BSN). I don't want to hold any management positions or anything of that sort. So yes I will be satisfied with having my BSN and thats it.

Here a lot of the LPN's have been phased out. Pretty much the LPN's here can only work in the Jail, Nursing home, or a few of the clinics. None of that do the hospitals consider acute care experience. I wish it wasn't that way. If it wasn't than I would have done the LNP course this summer that we are eligible to do after our first year of Nursing School. It's a 3 days class with I think it was 80 hours of clinicals and than you were eligible to sit for the LPN boards. A lot of our hospitals here are taking BSN's over ADN's as well. That is my primary reason I plan on going onto the RN-BSN bridge program. It isn't because I want to get into management. That and in case I do decide to go into being an instructor than I will only need to move on to the Masters.

But I have heard this really varies on the area. I know other areas still hire LPN's at the hospitals and other fields.

I agree. I just alpplied for a job opening for LPN in a hospital setting. So LPNs are still very much in demand. Who is THEY anyway. All I hear is They say this . THey say that. WHO in the heck is THEY. If I knew who THEY was I would tell them they are obviously wrong because as a WoRking LPN I haven't had once an employer tell me: LPNS are phased out and you won't ever get a job anywhere.