Becomming an LPN - and dealing with "helpful" advice

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Hi LPNs and Future LPNs!

I was wondering if any of you have had to deal with hearing this?

"FYI, I hear LPNs are being phased out. You may want to think about this."

"You'll be wasting your time."

"You won't make a whole lot of money."

"Go for RN."

:mad:

I think perhaps these people mean well (I honestly wouldn't surround myself with abusive friends and family! LOL) And even though I'm a pretty strong person, these comments are ... :crying2:

And I'm so excited, too! I just got my Math for Meds book and Medical Terminology book right after I took my daughter to school, and I've been studying already.

So, my question is: What do you tell those people who say things like that to you?

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I've heard all of that too.

I say this:

LPN's are being phased out of hospitals. It changes all the time. I had a teacher who went to LPN school in the 70's and they were saying the same thing. Although most large hospitals will not hire LPN's, I have found a few smaller hospials that will... beyond that I can still work in any type of clinic, nursing home, home health care, prison, school (as a school nurse or teaching a CNA class) so I still have many options. Telling every LPN they have to get their RN or getting rid of LPN all together I don't think would ever happen. It would cause so many people to lose their jobs, it's simply impossible to do (and some places prefer LPN's because they are cheaper tbh).

That there proves it isn't a waste of time.

As for the money, where you choose to work decides if you're making good money or not. The small hospital in my area pays LPN's about $15 an hour where as nursing homes average $18-20 an hour. Is $20 an hour big bucks? No... but I went to LPN school for a year... one year of schooling gets me a job that pays at least $34,000 a year for the rest of my life... I don't think that's too horrible for the amount of education.

As for RN.. you should always keep your options open. Some technical schools have LPN programs but not RN programs nor do their credits transfer anywhere. I would never consider those schools, and have advised people not to go to them. It makes getting a LPN a dead end. Go to a school that offers the LPN and RN program. My school does and it also has deals with surrounding universities so that I can get my BSN, MSN, and NP if I wanted.

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Thanks, anonymous, I never even considered the tech school-LPN to RN problem, which does worry me a little. I guess I just have to ask the tech school about it?

As far as money, I know there are a few nurses on here who started out with a low salary and have worked their way up, but it's all based on those few factors like you said: location, state, experience, etc. I also believe it's a personal thing, too. Right now, I'm okay with making $15-$20 an hour. I'm a stay-at-home-mom, and I made the decision to go into nursing for myself, not so much for the money (do people still do that?! LOL)

Off topic, but, now my new worry (after browsing some posts) is all the crying that nursing students seem to want to do. I admit, even though I've become a strong woman over the years, I can be emotional. And apparently, most instructors are evil :devil:

...what have I gotten myself into? :o

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Specializes in Med-Surg/DOU/Ortho/Onc/Rehab/ER/.

nah...people say the same things...

i am just getting my lvn to make a little bit more money than a CNA (i am now) while i finish my pre-reqs to do a lvn-rn

& as someone said, if you don't mind the pay a little bit lower but want some experience as you continue to get your RN (an alternate way) then i think your fine

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People said and say this I wouldn't let it bother you. I am an LPN I graduated last year, had no problem getting a job, I am a LPN, I am still a NURSE. I am getting my BSN now. If you want to get your LPN get it, don't worry about what people say. I am proud to be a LPN-NURSE, and I will be proud to be a NURSE with a BSN! I got my LPN so I could make a decent salary while getting my BSN and be able to enjoy what I wanted to do career wise which was to be a NURSE

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Specializes in Med-Surg/DOU/Ortho/Onc/Rehab/ER/.
People said and say this I wouldn't let it bother you. I am an LPN I graduated last year, had no problem getting a job, I am a LPN, I am still a NURSE. I am getting my BSN now. If you want to get your LPN get it, don't worry about what people say. I am proud to be a LPN-NURSE, and I will be proud to be a NURSE with a BSN! I got my LPN so I could make a decent salary while getting my BSN and be able to enjoy what I wanted to do career wise which was to be a NURSE

i agree...being an LVN and making decent money while getting a RN/BSN is the way to go!

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Here is the fun thing I just found out. I graduated LPN school in August with the plan to bridge next summer to RN. My school just changed their rules to state a LPN must work as a licensed nurse for 1 year, documented by work place before applying to bridge. Or go part time nights and weekends for 6 semesters while you work..... If I had known this, I would have gone into RN program straight away... I'm not happy.

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Here is the fun thing I just found out. I graduated LPN school in August with the plan to bridge next summer to RN. My school just changed their rules to state a LPN must work as a licensed nurse for 1 year, documented by work place before applying to bridge. Or go part time nights and weekends for 6 semesters while you work..... If I had known this, I would have gone into RN program straight away... I'm not happy

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