Are you content with being an LPN?

Published

Are you content with being an LPN, and what is your pay and your job responsibilities and where do you reside?

If you're content with just being an LPN, WHY? and if not, do you plan to become an RN or something totally different?

What union do you have and is there an RN union where you work? Do you think a lot of LPN's in unions have been replaced by non-bargaining unit RN's?
I'm in the UAW. All RNs here are salaried managers, so they're non union. As for RNs taking LPN jobs, I don't think it's a union thing. I dint think there's any conspiracy to push out LPNs. But if RNs are willing to do LPN work for LPN pay.....
Up Vote Up Vote ×

I've been an LPN for 30 years and have never had teh desire to get an RN degree. Even with being on disability for 13 years, I returned to nursing in 2004 and worked in a few assisted living facilities. In 2008, I found a new avenue for my career, training MDs and nurses how to use EMR programs. I get to travel with all expenses paid-no kids and bf doesn't mind the traveling, phenominal hourly wages-3 assignments last year-7 weeks vacation and still made six figures. I briefly considered getting an RN degree to go further in this arena but was told with my clinical experience that it would be a waste of time and resources. I get no fewer than 3 phone calls and a dozen emails a day with firms seeking someone with my skill set for an assignment.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Lvn to RN, new grad med/surg.

I've been an LVN 3 years now in CA. A year and half in LTC, a year and a half at my present job 8hour shift care. Zero stress and minimal responsibility. About $20 an hour. I'm doing the pre-reqs for my RN because I feel limited in my scope of what we are "allowed" to do, also the increase in pay.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I'm in the UAW. All RNs here are salaried managers, so they're non union. As for RNs taking LPN jobs, I don't think it's a union thing. I dint think there's any conspiracy to push out LPNs. But if RNs are willing to do LPN work for LPN pay.....

If non-bargaining unit RN's are taking bargaining unit LPN jobs it is a union thing and requires union approval at all levels. Are you active in the union that you credit with protecting the job you now have?

At the times you are "promoted" is there provision in your contract for that difference in job content?

Not to hi-jack this thread, I like my job very much.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

When I started nursing school I was 110% sure I would not stop until I was at LEAST an RN, possibly even a BSN. As with most things, that didn't work out at all like I planned! While I was still in school, I started work at my current job on a very part time basis (16 hours every two weeks). Within a month of me receiving my LPN license, two full time people quit and I was offered a full time position. I love the job, the money is good and the hours work with my family's schedule. RN school got pushed to the back burner. Where I work there are 2 RNs and they are both in management. I'm one of 4 LPNs (the only one that is full time) and everyone else is a CNA or DCP. I can advance one more position before needing anymore education. As time goes by I think why spend more money, sacrifice time with my family (my daughter is a senior this year) and stress myself out for something that really won't make a whole lot of difference in my current facility. (And if all goes as planned, I will work here until I retire. If I don't and I need to go back to school later, I can.)

So to make a long story short, I LOVE being "just" an LPN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Are you content with being an LPN, and what is your pay and your job responsibilities and where do you reside?

If you're content with just being an LPN, WHY? and if not, do you plan to become an RN or something totally different?

I've been an LVN in Texas for 5 years and I am not content. I work in a doctors office and my pay is HORRIBLE!! I stay because it's 9-5 M-F, low stress and benefits are great. I'm planning on starting my BSN/RN in the next 6 months.

The biggest reason I'm not content is the LVN/LPN in Texas is a "threatened" species, not quite endangered but close. For years RN's were hired into hospitals and acute care facilities. PNs were more LTC and home health. Now hospitals are pursuing more accreditation and they're mostly hiring RNs with a BSN or MSN. So the RNs with an associates are going into LTC and home health and squeezing the PNs out. If you want to advance and specialize you need to be an RN down here.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Intensive Care.
Are you content with being an LPN, and what is your pay and your job responsibilities and where do you reside?

If you're content with just being an LPN, WHY? and if not, do you plan to become an RN or something totally different?

I currently reside in Central Florida and I have only been an LPN for 5 months. At this time I have to be honest and say that I am not content with being an LPN. It's not that I dislike being an LPN it's that I dislike that LPNs are not acknowledged as nurses. LPNs are nurses too!!! I work in hospice as a contracted nurse with a home health agency, and I have been offended too many times when the RNs ask whether or not LPNs can do this or that. Most of the RNs I work side-by-side with don't really get under my skin too much. But I have encountered a few that I would find hard to keep my composer with and unfortunately it's usually the RNs who work for the EXACT same agency as I, go figure. And they actually started out as LPNs!!! As for the other question, yes I do plan to go back to get my RN degree and within 5 years and, God willing, have a BSN degree (only if becomes absolutely necessary). Like I said, it's not that I dislike being an LPN is that I want to be acknowledged as being a nurse. LPNs spend just as much time with the patients and family, comforting them and implementing the care that the physician as ordered. Isn't that the description of being a nurse??

D.Coney, LPN

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well, I THOUGHT I was content and been LVN for 30 yrs, but ALWAYS at the back of my head I hear this voice...."JUST an LVN"....so LIKE IT or NOT, need it OR not, for my own self I have to now go get the RN license. The final straw was my dearly beloved husb just told me he thought ALL Rn's were my boss...(growl) and HE knows I am charge of whole house. GO FIGURE. Guess he thought any RN could come in and walk over my decisions, and that just grated on my nerves!

(prior to this raising children, gkids were priorities, NOW I can't think of anything else or anyone else that I can use for an excuse,,er..... needs my attn. so guess I will go do it for myself after all. (SIGH)

And gee I keep thinking of "might retire one of these yrs", but I won't, so might as well just sign up and shut myself up. LOL

BTW, I've been an LVN sooooooooo long I maxed out and actually earn very close (within a couple of dollars) of what our Rn's make, so not a money thing, just an irk factor.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

I don't know why this is always such an issue. People will do whatever they want to do, and whatever their resources allow them to do. I work with LPN's who would like to become RN's, but they either have small kids, or simply can't afford more school. If you are an LPN, you are still a valued member of the healthcare team; don't let others put you down.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

OH and I am actually going to HR on Monday and having my Supv. go with me. Our Supv, was just hired abt 2 months ago, and she is turning out to be great supv, BUT there is another nurse (RN masters) who is on my LAST FRICKIN' nerve. Every time I turn around I am hearing "only an RN can". PROBLEM IS she doesn't know BEANS. She keeps throwing out all these little rules and just upsets the heck out of some of our younger LVN's. Don't know what her problem is, but just ridiculous and totally OFF on what is allowed or not.

Her newest little grain was only an RN can work this one 2-10 shift and rationale was she thinks doing med. education has to be an RN.

LIKE I SAID....just off. Don't know what I will accomplish, but tired of some of our best nurses being put down.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice/Infusion.

My sole reason for going for my RN BSN is for more opportunities. I made pretty decent money as a private duty LPN and would only stand to make $3 more an hour roughly so it's not the money. I want to work in a hospital or do travel nursing and I don't have the opportunity in NJ without an RN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm an LPN in the state of Ohio. I am not content with being an LPN simply because the employment opportunities are just not that many...at least in the area that I live in. I'm an hour away from cities like Cleveland and Columbus, I have friends that are nurses in those cities as well! A few of them are content with being PN's and some of them are not because they find that in the larger cities RN's are more in demand. I worked in a long term care facility when I was a new grad and I made $16.00 per hour. I lasted about 6 months because I could not handle the stress of constantly being short handed and mandated weekly. I had a poor orientation of 4 days in which I followed another nurse around and watched her pass meds. I only received instruction on about 25% of the paperwork involved with the job. I struggled every shift just to get my work done! It was horrible to say the least. In recent years I've started to work at the flu clinics in the fall, so it's seasonal work but it's extra cash. I was making $20 and hour, but this year we will be making $19 per hour with a bonus program they just started. I want to work in the hospital, I love it and I feel that I would be an excellent nurse in that environment. However, the local hospital where I live really doesn't hire LPN's anymore, occasionally they will hire an LPN, but it's rare and you have to know somebody who knows somebody. That's why I need to become an RN, so that I can actually get a job! I would eventually like to get my masters degree and maybe work as a practitioner or become a CRNA!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion