Bashed for pursuing lpn route

plaza · Aug 16, 2009

part of the problem of people not "getting" it can be attributed to ignorance. they are probably just unaware of the tribulations of getting into an ADN/BSN program.

I think you are pretty darn smart - but that may be because I "get" it!

agldragonRN · Aug 16, 2009

i am so tired of people downing me for going the lpn route first instead of straight to rn. what is wrong with being an lpn first? what is the big deal? i had an old instructor say to me, "you're too smart for that; you should have just went straight through to be an rn, your wasting time". i can't take another negative comment!!! how can anyone say that im wasting time when i'll be an lpn within the next year. i was wait listed for the rn program. i'd be wasting my time if i continue to wait on the list doing nothing. what's wrong with people's view of the lpn role!!!

i was in the same boat as you. i was very upset as well and started a thread here about it. don't worry about what other people say or think. they just do not have anything better to say. even some of my family members (cousins) were discouraging and bashing my lpn program. but hey i have the last laugh now. a couple of them were laid off and struggling now and thinking of going into "medical field". they asked me how much i make and were surprised to find out i pulled 60k with some ot last year.

just go for it and keep going and going. good luck.

cheers,

angel

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Aug 16, 2009

You will be finished way ahead of people who are too stubborn and will only do straight RN program. You're not wasting your time, because regardless you're still a nurse.

k_r_ah · Aug 16, 2009

i know in my area of florida many hospitals have stopped hiring LPN's, so if you go the LPN route you may not have as many opportunities when you graduate

kat7ap · Aug 16, 2009

i know in my area of florida many hospitals have stopped hiring LPN's, so if you go the LPN route you may not have as many opportunities when you graduate

Well thank goodness the hospital isn't the only place a nurse can work.

I became an LVN 3 years ago after attempting to get into an RN program at a community college. I do not regret my decision. I actually wished I had done the LVN route first instead of becoming a CNA and spending almost 2 years on prerequisites only to be denied because I did not have 4.0 GPA! Do I wish to become an RN? Yes I would love to continue my education, expand my opportunities and increase my pay. In my opinion, some people just get way too hung up on titles. An LPN is a professional and in many workplaces it is very hard to differeniate between LPN and RN roles. I feel forunate that with my vocational diploma I have great job security and income compared to the many new college graduates out there who cannot find jobs with their degrees.

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Aug 16, 2009

I totally agree that a LVN/LPN is a professional. But I learned in school that anybody with an associates or less is considered a para-professional. You're considered a professional if you have a Bachelors and above. I don't agree with that philosophy, but that's what was told to me. I think whether you're a LVN/RN (ADN) you're a professional regardless.

2016lpnRN · Aug 17, 2009

I am still a student..graduating soon and I get this all the time. It doesn't make me as mad as it did before.

I just usually turn it right around on them. If they are a nurse I say "why are you wasting time with that when you could have been a doctor." If they haven't gone to school for anything I remind them of that.

I recently had to take a friend to the ER and the hospital I did my clinicals at last semester. The nurse came in and recognized me and asked if he knew me from somewhere. When I told him the tech school I goto he said "oh, your one of those students/" He was very smug. After my friends lab results came back in he started throwing numbers at me and asking what should this value be..what does this mean..what does that mean. My friend was just returning from the restroom when he said to me..if you went to school to be an RN you would have known these values. First off..I knew most of the values but I haven't even graduated yet. I told him he was very unprofessional and since he is so much smarter than "one of those nurses" (LPN) he should have known better than to give me her results before she was in the room. Hello HIPPA!!! I didn't say anything more because I don't know if I will get assigned there again and my friend was pretty ill..my mind was on her.

I am proud for the role I have chosen. I might continue on for my RN but it's not because I care what others think anymore. I want to be a Psych nurse someday and the facility I want to work at only hires RNs.

Don't let it bother you. :)

pagandeva2000, LPN · Aug 17, 2009

Please, do not let the titles get to you. I found that even though I am 'only an LPN", most often, I am the 'go to' person for many things. The ones that tried to criticize my choice, I said to them just last week "Well, since you are the illustrious RN, you should know better than me what to do in this situation. Use your knowledge". Shut her buns up quickly.

Do what is best for your lifestyle, what is available and your comfort level.

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Aug 17, 2009

Pegan how long has this RN beein a RN? I'm curuios because I've worked with this one RN who knew it all as a CNA, and who knows it all as a RN. I was so happy when my LVN co worker put her in her place!

pagandeva2000, LPN · Aug 17, 2009

Pegan how long has this RN beein a RN? I'm curuios because I've worked with this one RN who knew it all as a CNA, and who knows it all as a RN. I was so happy when my LVN co worker put her in her place!

I don't know how long exactly, but it seems to have been for some time (I suspect over 10 years). I know one person like that as well, she was a know it all CNA, PCA, cheated her way through our LPN program and is now an RN (I strongly suspect she cheated her way through that one, too).

I noticed that it is not always the license, but it is the experience and common sense that makes a nurse a good nurse. An example of that is I am a clinic nurse who always reading nursing related material, but don't have alot of experience in med-surg, but I also do not do anything I am not sure of and the response I receive must make sense...no matter who is telling me. I make it no secret that I have no interest in becoming an RN now or in the future, but I am proud of what I do. From what I see, ALL nurses are basically disrespected...it may be by physicians, nurse managers, advance practice nurses, etc... it really does not end only because one continues their education. Self respect must come from within first! Otherwise, no matter how high up the food chain you go, you will always have issues of insecurity. I may not be 'nurse enough' for some RNs, but their headaches are 'too much' for me to be bothered with.

determined_ab · Aug 18, 2009

I know exactly what you mean. I have been wait listed for the RN program three times now. I recently got excepted in to LPN school. I'm very excited about this opportunity, because nursing is all i want. It's very discouraging though when i tell people what i'm doing and the reply is always why, you should go for your RN. They say i thought you wanted to be an RN, they dont understand how long ive tried to get in there. The way I look at it is, i'm getting the opportunity to do something i know i love and am passionate for. The rest is just in writing, LPN is just a title. so is RN. People make me mad sometimes, especially some of the RN's i work with. I dont even talk about nursing school to most people besides my family. ugh!!