Are you content at LVN level?

lpnflorida · Oct 12, 2008

I love being an LPN always have.

If I had it do again and was not the age I am now but 20 again. RN and RN only. I say this as you have a lot of years ahead of you before you reach an age to retire. The position of the LPN in the hospital is tenuous, meaning it could change at any time. As we already know they are not employed in many facilities in this country of ours. While LPN's may always be needed in the LTC setting.

Go for your RN /BSN preferably that way in your career you will never have to wonder if your education is enough to either secure a job , apply for a higher position etc. The world will be your oyster so to speak.

kythe, LPN · Oct 12, 2008

Right now I'm quite content as an LPN. The irony of this is that I never meant to be here since I started an RN program but didn't finish.

I love the job I have now. I work in a mellow environment, have flexible hours, and I love my coworkers and patients. I do plan to return to school next year, but then I said that this past year too but didn't. I get frustrated when I hear people refer to it as "quitting in the middle" or "settling for less than the best". I don't feel like I quit, I feel like a nurse. I don't feel like I "settled" for anything, this is actually the best job I ever had. That is really why I haven't been as motivated to move on. Why fix what isn't broken?

People compare salaries to RN's, but I look the other way - I had been a medical assistant and couldn't afford to support my family. Now I make over twice as much as I used to and we live in a comfortable neighborhood and no longer rely on the government. This is such a huge change for me from how we used to live that I feel I have no room for complaint about salary.

I still plan to move on, but more because I want to open up future job possibilities. I'm still unsure about the specialty I had originally wanted, but I don't want to close the door on it. I've got about 30 more years of work ahead, so I have to consider what I want to do during the rest of that time.

lpnflorida · Oct 12, 2008

"Plus when I am 55 and getting older I do not want to be turning Pt's and cleaning up as my PRIMARY function. I will gladly to assist my Pt's as necessary but where I work LPN's are the bedside nurse and well at an old age it is a difficult thing to do. "

oh my gosh, now I am over old age:chuckle:no: ok I wish I were still 55, I am laughing my head off right now 15 years ago I might have thought this old also, funny how when you reach it, it is only a number , as it really doesn't feel old. I will take my cane and try to go clean up that poop if I can find some whipper snapper to turn them for me as I am too feeble..........:loveya:

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Oct 12, 2008

Hey, I'm 55 and I am TIRED.

lpnflorida · Oct 13, 2008

Heck we all get tired. I use to get tired when I first started nursing. Now I get tired because it is nursing, the mowing 1/2 acre of grass , cleaning the pool and the house on my days off... Why wouldn't I be tired. At least now I have a good excuse to be tired, I am old but still physcially fit, I guess because I am still doing bedside care. Does tend to consume calories. :clown:

AngelaLPN08 · Oct 13, 2008

Well, I guess 55 was a "starting point" haha! We currently have a LPN on our floor that is 62 and can't do her job to her full capacity and won't transfer because she makes more money working where she is. She states she doesn't have enough money to retire. She sits most of her shft and the other LPN's are picking up her slack. I have bluntly said I don't do it as an obligation to her but rather an obligation to the PT's. As an RN she would not have the pt care like she does and would be doing more paperwork wich is just easier. That was my point! :)

I'm 26 right now...If i was 36 when I got my RN i'd be happy..No real rush for me!

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Oct 13, 2008

Being a brand new LPN my two cents might not make a whole lot of difference. That said, yes I am content at the LPN/LVN level. I did what I set out to do, become a nurse. The letters before that N really don't matter, because it all ends in NURSE.

Now, even though I am happy as an LPN, I will end up back at school to do the LPN to RN bridge course for one reason and one reason only. Sadly, my LPN status will not allow me into the field I have always wanted to be in since I was a wee little one. I want to (and WILL) work with peds. NICU is where my sights are set but I may go into PICU, I guess time will tell.

If it were not for where I want to specialize, I would stay at my LPN level. I am not ashamed of my LPN status, I have no problems answering I am an LPN when people say "oh your a nurse? LPN or RN". I honestly don't want to go into management or become an educator so my only reason for going on to RN is that is required set of letters after my name ithat I need in order to go into the specialty I love.

And for the record, if it happens, for whatever reason, that I cannot or do not go onto RN, I would still be perfectly happy and content in my other specialty love...geriatrics. Yup, thats me "womb or tomb" girl, I want them brand new to the journey we call life, or coming upon the end of their journey. I don't want them anywhere in the middle. :loveya:

I wish you the best with your decision. But its one only you can make.

irienurse · Oct 13, 2008

Whatever You Decide To Do- Check With Your State.

As Of Mid 2008--RN Students Are Not Allowed To Take The LPN Exam IN NY.

They Found Too Many LPN's (RN Students) That Did Not Graduate From An LPN Or RN Program.

IN NY THAT OPTION HAS BEEN ELIMINATED

pagandeva2000, LPN · Oct 14, 2008

Whatever You Decide To Do- Check With Your State.
As Of Mid 2008--RN Students Are Not Allowed To Take The LPN Exam IN NY.
They Found Too Many LPN's (RN Students) That Did Not Graduate From An LPN Or RN Program.
IN NY THAT OPTION HAS BEEN ELIMINATED

Very true, they changed that in June, 2007, I thought, though. They do allow RN graduates to sit for NCLEX-PN, but, for most, by then, it doesn't make sense...they might as well sit for the exam based on the program they graduated from.

lpnflorida · Oct 14, 2008

Angela I do not disagree that as an RN the person you know would not be in a position in which she would have to physcially work as hard. And yes, it is most likely true , she can not afford to retire.

Why do you think I say, most likely I will be working until I am 70? It is not a joke, I do not see the ability to retire either. Life happens, divorce happens, disability can happen also. Too bad there is not a position where that other lpn could work ,be useful and still make a living.

Sadly I also work with some RN's who still work on the floor not in management and they share the same fears I do, Never being able to retire, or if once retired, ending up somehow destitute.

Gypsykat911 · Oct 14, 2008

I whole heartedly agree. Yes on can survive off an LVN pay. I do get worried on days when we get canceled..lol. It has happened a lot here in Austin. More than just where I work too other facilities such as hospitals, rehabs ect.

kythe, LPN · Oct 14, 2008

Whatever You Decide To Do- Check With Your State.
As Of Mid 2008--RN Students Are Not Allowed To Take The LPN Exam IN NY.
They Found Too Many LPN's (RN Students) That Did Not Graduate From An LPN Or RN Program.
IN NY THAT OPTION HAS BEEN ELIMINATED

I didn't know this (and it doesn't apply in my state), but it doesn't make a lot of sense. What is the problem with people not "graduating" as long as they met requirements in formal education and hours of clinical experience?

Since this is what I did, I do see some real positives in being able to take the NCLEX-PN after a certain point in education. If something comes up and you are no longer able to continue the program, you can get a nursing license and not see your education wasted.