Bashed for pursuing lpn route

pagandeva2000, LPN · Sep 9, 2009

I'm taking Anatomy and Physiology. Hopefully, I can be accepted into LVN program in my college. I first chose Radiologic Technology then I heard many negative comments about that field, even for experienced workers. I think that Vocational Nursing is a right choice for me. I believe that no matter how technology changes, patient care needs physicians and nurses. Nurses cannot be dispensible for machines like radiographers.
By the way, the college I attend for LVN is Merritt college in Oakland, CA. Is there any body who used to be nursing students there?
My another concern is when I should start preparing for NCLEX-PN. Unlike RN program, LVN program in my college doesn't have NCLEX-PN review, at least I have yet heard about it. Can someone give me some insights? THank you!

There are review courses you can take...ask your professors if they know of any. And, many people study on their own and are still QUITE successful in passing both NCLEX-PN/RN the first time! Make sure that you have a comprehensive study guide such as by Saunders or others and study from it even through your current nursing program. They usually have great main points to review that are great for the program as well as NCLEX. Best of luck to you!

SamiRN · Sep 12, 2009

im done with RN in April. Started as CNA which helped me thru LPN school. Being an LPN has helped me so much thru RN school. Im SO glad I did it this way. Wouldnt change a thing. You do what works for you.

The one thing a guy told me long ago...instead of doing resp therapy or any other field in a hospital remember this..."as a nurse you can always do their job...but they can not do yours" "nurse" is the key word....not, LPN or RN....nurse.

snuffy19608 · Sep 12, 2009

Yeah, we went through that crap too- "Oh you're in nursing school- when do you become an RN?" "Well actually I'm in an LPN program" "Oh........" . :banghead:

Here's the way I look at it- I went to an 18 month P/T program so I could support my family and spend time with my disabled son. They told us NOT to work F/T- I put in 64 hour shifts because we were short a couple medics. Was it hard- OH YEAH!! Did I think about quitting? Several times! Was it worth it? OH YEAH!!

I'm at work right now, sitting in a room with a vent dependent baby, doing peds home care. I work with kids, which I love,and I get paid well to do it. In the morning when my patient wakes up I'll pull him out of the crib and spend time just relaxing with him on my lap. The people I work with are great, my company treats me well and did I mention I get paid to play with kids?

Maybe down the road I'll go for my RN, but for now I'm happy being "just" an LPN. I'm a nurse, and I don't care what anybody else thinks about it.

mearrepiento · Sep 12, 2009

im done with RN in April. Started as CNA which helped me thru LPN school. Being an LPN has helped me so much thru RN school. Im SO glad I did it this way. Wouldnt change a thing. You do what works for you.
The one thing a guy told me long ago...instead of doing resp therapy or any other field in a hospital remember this..."as a nurse you can always do their job...but they can not do yours" "nurse" is the key word....not, LPN or RN....nurse.

Please help me understand how nurses can do the job of a respiratory therapist! Maybe they can do some, but can't be substitutes, right? I mean we have our own roles, and they have theirs. We are versatile in many aspects of patient care, but we still have some limitations, don't we?

NurseCubanitaRN2b, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 2009

In a SNF, usually you don't have RT's so therefore it's the nurses job to do it. In the hospital, there is the RT to do the breathing treatments and the suctioning. But sometimes if the RT isn't there the nurse "LVN or RN" will do the suctioning if needed. But the RT almost always does the breathing treatments.

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Sep 12, 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'll be honest...it's not that people that are not smart get an LPN instead of an RN...that would be an insult to all LPN's..I have learned alot from LPN's.

It's that in most academic programs...you can get an RN in just a little while longer than an LPN and the pay difference is significant.

Also, working as an LPN while getting your RN is very, very difficult.

At my CC program...the LPN program was 1 year.

The RN program was 2 years.

Guess how long the LPN to RN program was? Yup...two years.

So if you got your LPN, had to worry about passing boards for that, and THEN had to worry about passing boards for your RN...it took a total of 3 years and even LONGER if you didn't pass your LPN boards in time for the RN program to start.

It's something to consider....

kat7ap · Sep 13, 2009

I'll be honest...it's not that people that are not smart get an LPN instead of an RN...that would be an insult to all LPN's..I have learned alot from LPN's.
It's that in most academic programs...you can get an RN in just a little while longer than an LPN and the pay difference is significant.
Also, working as an LPN while getting your RN is very, very difficult.
At my CC program...the LPN program was 1 year.
The RN program was 2 years.
Guess how long the LPN to RN program was? Yup...two years.
So if you got your LPN, had to worry about passing boards for that, and THEN had to worry about passing boards for your RN...it took a total of 3 years and even LONGER if you didn't pass your LPN boards in time for the RN program to start.
It's something to consider....

Yes... but when there are 600+ applicants for 30 positions for the RN program within an infinite wait to get accepted, the LPN program that will accept you right away makes a lot of sense. LPN-RN bridge programs are usually just 1 year in length. Personally I am happy with my decision to become and LVN/LPN. If I had not gone that way I could be still sitting around making peanuts as a CNA waiting to get accepted to an RN program. At least when I become an RN I will already have nursing experience and be ahead of most other new grad RNs in pay scale and opportunity. :)

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Sep 13, 2009

Yes... but when there are 600+ applicants for 30 positions for the RN program within an infinite wait to get accepted, the LPN program that will accept you right away makes a lot of sense. LPN-RN bridge programs are usually just 1 year in length. Personally I am happy with my decision to become and LVN/LPN. If I had not gone that way I could be still sitting around making peanuts as a CNA waiting to get accepted to an RN program. At least when I become an RN I will already have nursing experience and be ahead of most other new grad RNs in pay scale and opportunity. :)

.....if that is the case where you live.

It wasn't where I lived.

aec rn bsn · Sep 13, 2009

At every stage, there'll always be someone "better" and smarter than you if you never decide that you are already happy with yourself no matter what anyone says, at any stage. If you're a millionaire-there are billionaires...you're a nurse- there are doctors...you're a model- there are SUPER models....it never ends, when will you be good enough? Who will you allow to decide that, them or you?

tothepointeLVN, LVN · Sep 14, 2009

Ironically I get the LVN is a waste of time/effort/space argument most from prenursing students that I encounter in my LVN-RN bridge prereq classes.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Sep 14, 2009

At every stage, there'll always be someone "better" and smarter than you if you never decide that you are already happy with yourself no matter what anyone says, at any stage. If you're a millionaire-there are billionaires...you're a nurse- there are doctors...you're a model- there are SUPER models....it never ends, when will you be good enough? Who will you allow to decide that, them or you?

I told a friend this the other day. It is impossible to please everyone, so, you have to make yourself happy, first. I had an interesting situation this weekend...I worked at a health fair-had to relieve an RN who left early. Each time I go to health fairs, I bring a looseleaf notebook with information for teaching in paper protectors-usually information in HTN and Diabetes, Heart Disease, diet-weight loss and some other material. I do this because the health fairs are so disorganized that in order to guarentee that what I need is available, I bring it myself.

One of the managers watched me teach the patients based on their blood pressure and glucose results in this manner. Also saw me pull out my drug book, med-surg pocket guide in addition to my teaching material and she looked shocked. Asks "Are you an RN or just an LPN?" I said to her "Well, I am not JUST an ANYTHING...I am a Licensed Practical Nurse". She apologized and then said "I saw you do more at these health fairs than I saw any other nurse and I have to commend you...LPN or not, you seem to be a great nurse". My response to her that at times, it is not only the title, it is the person behind it. I also told her that since I was not present to see the behaviors of the other nurses, I was not going to comment or bash each other, because bottom line, nursing is a hard job for everyone.

Basically, I knew what I was getting into when I made the decision to remain an LPN. I would encounter sarcasm, be considered as lazy or unambitious, less than a nurse...many things. I can't control what people think, but I can sure control how I feel and how I respond. I have usually gotten more positive than negative. Even the naysayers, after awhile, learn to leave me alone. No one can make you feel badly unless you let them. Sure, the comments smart and sting from time to time, but I believe to always show that you are doing your best. LPNs belong on the health care team as well...

Moogie · Sep 14, 2009

One of the managers watched me teach the patients based on their blood pressure and glucose results in this manner. Also saw me pull out my drug book, med-surg pocket guide in addition to my teaching material and she looked shocked. Asks "Are you an RN or just an LPN?" I said to her "Well, I am not JUST an ANYTHING...I am a Licensed Practical Nurse". She apologized and then said "I saw you do more at these health fairs than I saw any other nurse and I have to commend you...LPN or not, you seem to be a great nurse". My response to her that at times, it is not only the title, it is the person behind it. I also told her that since I was not present to see the behaviors of the other nurses, I was not going to comment or bash each other, because bottom line, nursing is a hard job for everyone.

You have the patience of a saint, my friend, because I think I would have smacked her upside the head.

Would it not have been sufficient for her to have said that you're a great nurse and not bash the others and not put you down for being an LPN?

:flmngmd: