Are you content at LVN level?

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Hello! I'm in the first couple of months of an RN program right now that allows you to stop off after a year and take the LVN test. I'm considering doing that and not continuing on for my RN. Everyone is telling me that's a bad decision because LVNs don't make much money and the work is harder and blah blah blah. And most of the LVNs I come across tell me how bad they want to go back to school! Well my question is to the LVNs. Do you like your jobs? Are you able to support yourself financially? I don't have any kids, and don't plan on having any either, it's just me. I'm not going into this field to be rich, I just want to work with patients. Isn't a normal person able to survive on an LVN paycheck?? I think it's madness that it's viewed as such a rediculous thing for me not to get additional licensure. What do ya'll think?

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
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.

That is what I believe. There are many RN students that were angered when this happened. I think that the reasoning was because it was stated that RNs are not trained as LPNs, they are to be more independent thinkers, and also, that there would have been portions of the LPN exam that would not have been covered by an RN student who didn't get to a certain point (I assume they meant med-surg 2, because they allowed them to sit for NCLEX-PN after peds/ob). An RN student failed ob/peds and just missed the mark where he would have been able to sit for the exam and was very angry! I think that he quit his job with the fire department to become a nurse and wanted to at least have the LPN to work while completing the program.

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Whatever You Decide To Do- Check With Your State.

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

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT---EMPLOYERS ARE BECOMING VERY PARTICULAR ABOUT CREDENTIALS****ASN AND BSN HAVE THE SAME RN LICENSE, YET THEY CAN REFUSE THE ASN.

THEY CAN REQUIRE THAT YOU'RE A GRADUATE OF AN ACCREDITED PROGRAM.

THERE ARE LPN'S (FORMER RN STUDENTS) THAT WERE REMOVED FROM THE NURSING DEPT.

AND PLACED IN CENTRAL SUPPLY/ HOUSEKEEPING BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT PROVE THAT THEY COMPLETED ANY PROGRAM-NO DIPLOMA--THEY WENT BACK TO SCHOOL AND ARE RN'S NOW

BUT WHO WANTS TO GO THROUGH THAT?:(

THE NEW REQUIREMENT BY NYS WILL PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING TO FUTURE NURSES.

A FRIEND OF MY WENT ON AN INTERVIEW AT A NY HOSPITAL AND THE RECRUITER WANTED TO SEE HER LICENSE, DIPLOMA, TRANSCRIPT (GPA), 2 LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION FROM THE COLLEGE SHE ATTENDED.

THE RECRUITER WENT THROUGH THE TRANSCRIPT AND POINTED OUT THAT SHE DIDN'T DO GREAT JOB WITH ENG. COMP (HER 1ST COLLEGE COURSE):confused:

EMPLOYERS ARE DIGGING DEEP-LVN/LPN/RN PLEASE COMPLETE AN ACCREDITED PROGRAM

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Specializes in emergency room.

I am content being an LPN until I run into the condescending remarks of ignorant people. We still have people that think we don't know how to do anything and that EMT's have more education than we do. I will never forget an experience I had while working on a step down unit in a large hospital. The RN I worked with came running out of a room stating something was wrong with her patient and could I go see. Yeah, right....the lady is not breathing and in full cardiac arrest. Who was the one that initiated CPR? The little 'ol LPN while the RN freaked. As far as the salary goes I could not make it working for the state as I do should hubby expire. I would have to quit and find another job. Here in Fl. state workers make 1/2 of what you can make elsewhere. So, I hate the low pay with all the responsibility that is placed on us. Employers keep adding responsibilty without any pay increase. Just remember, the more degrees you have the further away from direct patient contact you will be, and for me I want the patient contact.

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First of all, I want to say that being an LPN/LVN is a very respectable accomplishment and going for your RN is not required to feel good about being a nurse.

Second, don't let others tell you what to do based on what they wish they had done or not done. I think the best advise would be to continue in your program, focus on the portion of the course you are currently in, and cross that bridge when it comes. Talk with your instructors about some of the differences in your state between the LVN and RN. Decide for yourself which role is more right for you. There is nothing wrong with being satisfied at the level of the LVN. I would suggest that you keep the following in mind though when making your decision:

Being an RN generally offers more opportunity. This may not be important now, but likely down the road you will want more work options-it's not just the difference in pay. Remeber too that nursing is constantly changing. In my area there are few hospitals left that are advertising for LPN's (despite them being short staffed.) There seems to be a move towards hiring RN's more and LPN's less, so in 10 years I may be very limited in my choices of the settings I am able to get a job in. You may also find as you progress in school that certain areas appeal to you that you didn't think would. Research your area and see where the jobs for LVN's are and ask yourself if that is where you want to be working. Clinicals will help you get an idea of the type of setting you want to work in. Keep in mind that school will always be an option and if you feel that you won't have trouble returning then working for a while may be a good option for you. Remember that programs and requirements change, if you decide 5 yrs from now that you want to go back you may have to repeat some stuff and take longer than a year, maybe you won't. I don't know how competitive your program is but you may have to go through the stress of getting back into a program as well. Then on the flip side of this, if you are single and it is just you, what's another year? You could still work while you finish the RN. I am back in school for my RN because I want more options. I'm not about the pay either (it is possible to make it on my wages) but more money never hurts. In another year as an LVN you won't be making as much as you would for the year you would spend in school. So you will come out of it with more options, more money, and more book knowledge in your field (the hands on will be there whether you start it now or in a year). I'm not saying do it or don't do it, that is a decision that you have to make yourself based on your own circumstances and no one elses. School will always be an option if you want it badly enough. Also, don't rule out other options such as a distance program, but those are very tough as well and require lots of discipline. Hopefully this gives you some things to think about until it comes time to make this decision.

Whatever your decision, in the end you will be caring for patients. No matter which route you choose, you will spend the next year learning more than you thought possible. Good luck either way, and congrats on getting into the program!

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P.S. Always remember, it's not the letters after the name, it's the person that makes the nurse. It doesn't matter LPN/LVN or RN we all have our strengths and our weaknesses, and it's a decision we make to do a job well or not. As for the older nurses still working the floor, I love having them around! Even if they are not as fast, they contribute with their knowledge & experience. I've also known little bitty 60 y/o gals that worked circles around the rest of us. My respect to them!

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Specializes in Hospice, ALF, Prison.
P.S. Always remember, it's not the letters after the name, it's the person that makes the nurse. It doesn't matter LPN/LVN or RN we all have our strengths and our weaknesses, and it's a decision we make to do a job well or not. As for the older nurses still working the floor, I love having them around! Even if they are not as fast, they contribute with their knowledge & experience. I've also known little bitty 60 y/o gals that worked circles around the rest of us. My respect to them!

Bravo! Bravo! The answer is unique to everyone, and goes beyond just the question of lpn v. rn.

Whatever your license says, and no matter how long you have had it, our business requires constant education and improvement. Whether that be reading books, getting active in associations or continuing formal education..they all serve the same purpose of improving yourself.

I am so happy that just today I told our staff physician that I selected him to share is wealth with me, and that I was going to move my family into his Tudor house! I look great driving a Lincoln!!

:nurse:

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i am an lvn, i just got my license in june of this year. i'm finding my opportunities are limited because the job market for lvn is not as lucrative as i thought it would be. during school many people told me that i was getting into the right career because of the nursing shortage; fyi the shortage is for rn's. just some food for thought.

i am working now in hospice as a crisis care nurse, but it was not my first choice. the money is decent, definitely possible to live on if you live within your means. it took me about 3 months to find this job and about 40 applications later. i like my job, i just wish there was more stable work. i'm still applying and nobody is biting for a new grad.

so, i find myself trying to get into rn school (the fastest way possible). luckily, my prerequisites were done before i did my lvn program and i come to realize that in order to really have a stable job i need to be an rn.

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I've only been working as an LPN in a LTC facility for one week so far. I received my license Sept 30. I really do love my job (so far!) and probably will continue with LTC. However.... LPNs where I work get paid $23/hr and RNs get paid $32/hr. Huge difference!!! The RNs I've spoken with tell me that they do get the more difficult halls, but OVERALL, the work is quite similar. So yes... I WILL be continuing on to get my RN, hopefully in the next year.

Don't get my wrong... I do love being an LPN and I think its a wonderful career. But an extra $9 an hour is great too!

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Just think that 9$ can pay your taxes..lol..lol..lol.. Just trying to be funny but I too am looking to get my RN doing the Collegenetwork thing. Took my first test and passed (micro.. UGH!) tried to take my second in Nov but no appoinments available until Dec. So... good luck on your quest and i wish you the best.

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Specializes in Geriatrics/Family Practice.

I've recently decided to go back and get my RN. Why, because I've been told one to many times that I can't do this or that as a LPN. I want to do this and that. I'm going back in January and the thought of it nauseates(sp) me. It's a love/hate relationship with school. I hate the commitment, but love the rewards. So no I'm not content with my LPN level. I want more. At first I was content, but two years into being a LPN, I'm not. Our scope of practice is narrowing by the year and I have to always ask an RN to help with situations that I'm not allowed to do. I know that I will always have to ask for help or information to continue learning, but to do it for more is very depressing to me. I just hope I'm up to the challenge of school again. I'm scared and excited. If you don't mind being limited in your job, then being a LPN is great, but if you want a broader job description with more tasks that you can perform, RN is the way to go.

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most of this dissatisfaction within this thread seems to be about the money, not the satisfaction of just being a nurse. I make due on the LPN salary soley for the reason thats it about the patients and not the money. I am not out to be friends or enemies with my co-workers, I am there for the patient and what I can do for them to make their stay a little less stressful and more comfortable. I am all for giving to others, I don't need that flat panel tv, or a new hi-tech cell phone, I just need the smile from the patient.

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i am a new LPN and very proud of it....i am also 46.......been married 22 yrs and have been a stay at home mom for 20.......decided to go to school cause i always wanted to be a nurse.......i dont need to work.....i only work PT and LOVE IT!!! same goes for me.....i do what i do cause i love it......do i want to go on to be an RN....not really.....i think about it.....but then i lay down to that thought goes away...HAHAHAHAHA.........

peace!

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