I havn't even started LPN school yet (will this September though!!!!) :monkeydance: and I'm finding that I'm already "apologizing" if you will for becoming "just an LPN"!!
I need to stop this! I'm CHOOSING to become an LPN, not an RN. If I had unlimited time, money and a great tutor to take the harder pre reqs, I would become an RN. But I'm 30, two kids, a mortgage, etc. I can't afford to take 4 years of school right now!
Plus, I want to see how much I love nursing before dedicating 4 years of time and money to a nursing degree.
I was getting a TB skin test required by my school and it was a nurse doing the test. I told her why I was having the test and then said "oh, but I'd like to be an RN one day". I shouldn't have even said that. I shouldn't be explaining to anyone or apologizing for becoming "just an LPN".
LPN's are in HUGE demand in my area and I know I will find a good job and be a GREAT LPN when I'm done, so I really need to be proud of that and stop making excuses to others as to why I'm not becoming an RN right now.
I just want to thank everyone for the comments. I am having the same issue as the OP, but unfortunately, where I live there isn't as much demand for LPN's (Toronto). Good thing I am not such a fan of Toronto anyway and hope to move!
When I had my son in 2004, I only had ONE nurse of 5 that I really loved. She was amazing and the only one who actually helped me when I was trying to get the hang of breastfeeding (the rest just stuck him on there and took off, so once he popped off again, I couldn't get him back on right without help).
I found out recently, through a friend who is now an LPN at the same hospital and on the same floor, that my favorite nurse was an LPN! I certainly didn't know when I was there, and now that I have decided to go with LPN vs RN, it meant a lot to me to know that the LPN was the "good" nurse.
Nothing like that to show you LPN's really ARE nurses and that they can have just as much or more impact on their patients. I mean, I have a terrible, terrible memory- but I still remember that nurse's name! :)
I totally get what you mean. And am so sick of hearing about how pointless LPN school is. I also have two kids, hubby, house, and am BROKE! Most people my age don't have that responsibility and their parents can pay their tuition, housing, etc.. But come on what's the big deal?? I want to become a nurse and this is the easier way for ME. Why does this bother YOU? LPN's are so needed, I really don't buy the whole "dissapearing act" some people speak of. Atleast in my area, lpn's are needed everywhere even hospitals! BADLY! I am very proud of becoming a LPN. :)
One of the first things I was asked by the department head in my pre-admittance interview was "Are you planning to continue on to RN after graduating?" and during the first week of class, when none of us really knew exactly what nursing entailed, we were asked to introduce ourselves & tell if we were going to bridge & our school doesn't even have the bridge to RN classes. Then, during the first term they really stressed writing care plans so we "would know how to do it when you go on to get your RN." They said they were teaching us a whole lot more than we'd need as LPNs for that very reason. Even though I don't plan to go on, I enjoyed writing them as it makes reading them much easier to understand.
As I said, I don't plan to go on but I also find myself apoligizing for it. My "excuse" is my age. I plan to work only another 10 years or so & can't justify the expense of taking 18 months of that time out of earning a living & I refuse to go to school & work at the same time. Besides I don't want to be in charge. I don't mind taking orders.
To be honest, really, if I were younger, I probably would go on & be a RN because of the respect they get from the public. I know it's stupid, but even I, in the past thought "she's ONLY a LPN." (And the moneys not bad either!)
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
The people that consistantly press others to do what they do have something missing in their lives. No matter how much education you have, your personality or essence does not improve unless you make a conscious effort to do so. I have my husband and son in my life and they make me so happy. That is more important to me than to get all of these degrees. They need to get a grip.
If anyone I know is pursuing to become an Lpn, I would ask why not become an RN,ADN. I have no disrespect for Lpns or anything like that, I just believe the system is getting over on individuals who dont go an extra year for schooling. Your doing a lot of the tasks that rns do but getting paid 1/2 or even less than 1/2. Sacrifice, even struggle for that period of time b/c in the long run you will be rewarded.
You may even make 2x,3x,or 4x as much being an Rn.
Fighting through an extra year or 2 is worth it. Have better job opportunities. And be able to call your own shots if you dont like the way things are going. If u choose to stick with becoming an Lpn, dont apologize for it. Make up a short excuse of why u didn't pursue rn.
If u choose to stick with becoming an Lpn, dont apologize for it. Make up a short excuse of why u didn't pursue rn.
You are an example of the exact same mentality the OP refers to. Why should we have to make up an excuse????? Some of us just don't want to be an RN, pure & simple and should not have to explain ourselves.
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
If anyone I know is pursuing to become an Lpn, I would ask why not become an RN,ADN. I have no disrespect for Lpns or anything like that, I just believe the system is getting over on individuals who dont go an extra year for schooling. Your doing a lot of the tasks that rns do but getting paid 1/2 or even less than 1/2. Sacrifice, even struggle for that period of time b/c in the long run you will be rewarded.
You may even make 2x,3x,or 4x as much being an Rn.
Fighting through an extra year or 2 is worth it. Have better job opportunities. And be able to call your own shots if you dont like the way things are going. If u choose to stick with becoming an Lpn, dont apologize for it. Make up a short excuse of why u didn't pursue rn.
I have to agree with the other posters...your reasoning is what make me basically annoyed. It is the politics and the additional responsibilities that make me say that I refuse to become an RN. If the RNs were receiving adequate support from their RN co-workers, physicians and administration, I can see it, but, the whole load lands on them. They are responsible for the LPN, Nursing Assistants, support care staff and the outcome of things that they don't even see happen. What is the sense of sacrificing and struggling for a job that you clearly do not want?? Screw the money if I am stressed out half of the time from the actions of others. And, sorry to say, I don't even see RNs calling the shots for things to improve and receiving success. Maybe this is where you work, but my view has not shown me that.
Nursing in general, from the aides to RNs are not working together...they backstab, manipulate and prey on the new and those that do not advocate for themselves. It is interesting, the physicians stick together. You would never know that there is any dissention between them, because it is an old boy network that preserves their own. But, us, there is all of this mess. What I have found is that I want to be responsible for myself and my actions, not necessarily the actions of others working below me. No, dear, not for me. And, personally, I will never apologize or make short or long excuses for not wanting to become one.
And, I might add that some states do not offer much more money. Some places will pay an LPN $18 per hour and an RN about $25. I have read on these boards that some places only pay an RN about $5 an hour more than an LPN. For all of THAT stress??? No thanks...
I have to agree with the other posters...your reasoning is what make me basically annoyed. It is the politics and the additional responsibilities that make me say that I refuse to become an RN. If the RNs were receiving adequate support from their RN co-workers, physicians and administration, I can see it, but, the whole load lands on them. They are responsible for the LPN, Nursing Assistants, support care staff and the outcome of things that they don't even see happen. What is the sense of sacrificing and struggling for a job that you clearly do not want?? Screw the money if I am stressed out half of the time from the actions of others. And, sorry to say, I don't even see RNs calling the shots for things to improve and receiving success. Maybe this is where you work, but my view has not shown me that.
Nursing in general, from the aides to RNs are not working together...they backstab, manipulate and prey on the new and those that do not advocate for themselves. It is interesting, the physicians stick together. You would never know that there is any dissention between them, because it is an old boy network that preserves their own. But, us, there is all of this mess. What I have found is that I want to be responsible for myself and my actions, not necessarily the actions of others working below me. No, dear, not for me. And, personally, I will never apologize or make short or long excuses for not wanting to become one.
And, I might add that some states do not offer much more money. Some places will pay an LPN $18 per hour and an RN about $25. I have read on these boards that some places only pay an RN about $5 an hour more than an LPN. For all of THAT stress??? No thanks...
If anyone I know is pursuing to become an Lpn, I would ask why not become an RN,ADN. I have no disrespect for Lpns or anything like that, I just believe the system is getting over on individuals who dont go an extra year for schooling. Your doing a lot of the tasks that rns do but getting paid 1/2 or even less than 1/2. Sacrifice, even struggle for that period of time b/c in the long run you will be rewarded.
You may even make 2x,3x,or 4x as much being an Rn.
Fighting through an extra year or 2 is worth it. Have better job opportunities. And be able to call your own shots if you dont like the way things are going. If u choose to stick with becoming an Lpn, dont apologize for it. Make up a short excuse of why u didn't pursue rn.
If you have read through the various posts you would understand why some of us are choosing to become LPN's and NOT R.N's. Some of us need to help support our growing families sooner rather than later. I live in Arizona and it will take me 2plus years to do pre-req's and then there is atleast a one year waitlist to get into an RN program. I can start the LPN program THIS year and be done in by the end of next year. I will be making anywhere from $18an hour to $22 an hour to start. That will help my family greatly. I make no excuse for pursuing my nursing career goals in this manner. Yes, I hope to be an RN someday but right now is NOT the time. If it's never the time then so what...I will be allright! What works for me and my family may not work for anyone else, but I know what I am doing is right.
If anyone I know is pursuing to become an Lpn, I would ask why not become an RN,ADN. I have no disrespect for Lpns or anything like that, I just believe the system is getting over on individuals who dont go an extra year for schooling. Your doing a lot of the tasks that rns do but getting paid 1/2 or even less than 1/2. Sacrifice, even struggle for that period of time b/c in the long run you will be rewarded.
You may even make 2x,3x,or 4x as much being an Rn.
Fighting through an extra year or 2 is worth it. Have better job opportunities. And be able to call your own shots if you dont like the way things are going. If u choose to stick with becoming an Lpn, dont apologize for it. Make up a short excuse of why u didn't pursue rn.
I have been accepted to start LPN school this September. I have done all my pre reqs. I will be finished the course in Aug 2008 and can start making $21-$24/hour right away.
If I were to go for RN, it would require at least another year of pre reqs and then 4 years of university. There are no 2 year programs for RN in my province any longer. None. Then I would come out as an RN making $25-$26/hour. For an extra 5 years of school? Of course in the long run, being an RN would make me more over the next 30 years, but as stated in my OP, I am already 30, have 2 kids, a mortgage, etc. I cannot and will not do 5 years of school right now. I may persue RN in the next 10 years, depending on our financial situation and other factors.
But again, as I stated in my OP, I know I will be A FABULOUS LPN and will be proud of being one. To me, a good nurse is one who knows her stuff, has great skills and is CARING AND COMPASSIONATE. I can do all of that being an LPN.
I have to agree with the other posters...your reasoning is what make me basically annoyed. It is the politics and the additional responsibilities that make me say that I refuse to become an RN. If the RNs were receiving adequate support from their RN co-workers, physicians and administration, I can see it, but, the whole load lands on them. They are responsible for the LPN, Nursing Assistants, support care staff and the outcome of things that they don't even see happen. What is the sense of sacrificing and struggling for a job that you clearly do not want?? Screw the money if I am stressed out half of the time from the actions of others. And, sorry to say, I don't even see RNs calling the shots for things to improve and receiving success. Maybe this is where you work, but my view has not shown me that.
Nursing in general, from the aides to RNs are not working together...they backstab, manipulate and prey on the new and those that do not advocate for themselves. It is interesting, the physicians stick together. You would never know that there is any dissention between them, because it is an old boy network that preserves their own. But, us, there is all of this mess. What I have found is that I want to be responsible for myself and my actions, not necessarily the actions of others working below me. No, dear, not for me. And, personally, I will never apologize or make short or long excuses for not wanting to become one.
And, I might add that some states do not offer much more money. Some places will pay an LPN $18 per hour and an RN about $25. I have read on these boards that some places only pay an RN about $5 an hour more than an LPN. For all of THAT stress??? No thanks...
Very well said!! Also some of people who have families, need to work, etc and can not afford RN school with out going into debt. Here in South Georgia, if you go to an LPN program, all of you schooling is paid for by the HopeGrant. It is not that way for Rn school.
Another thing, everyone was not meant to be a RN!!
Cherry2
66 Posts
I just want to thank everyone for the comments. I am having the same issue as the OP, but unfortunately, where I live there isn't as much demand for LPN's (Toronto). Good thing I am not such a fan of Toronto anyway and hope to move!
When I had my son in 2004, I only had ONE nurse of 5 that I really loved. She was amazing and the only one who actually helped me when I was trying to get the hang of breastfeeding (the rest just stuck him on there and took off, so once he popped off again, I couldn't get him back on right without help).
I found out recently, through a friend who is now an LPN at the same hospital and on the same floor, that my favorite nurse was an LPN! I certainly didn't know when I was there, and now that I have decided to go with LPN vs RN, it meant a lot to me to know that the LPN was the "good" nurse.
Nothing like that to show you LPN's really ARE nurses and that they can have just as much or more impact on their patients. I mean, I have a terrible, terrible memory- but I still remember that nurse's name! :)