Being an LPN

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Hello =] I'm new to the boards and have already learned quite a bit from lurking. I'm planning on retaking an entrance exam later on in the year so I can get into the lpn program January 2015. My ultimate goal is to work in the NICU or Nursery, and I know I'll have to have my RN to do that which I will go back and get, but I was going for my lpn so I can gradually work my way up to where I want to be, PNP. Is this doable? Would it be wiser to just go straight for a BSN? I did terrible in college and have no transferable credits. Also I feel like I'm too old to be going back to school, I'm 22 will be 23 this year.

I was thinking of working as an lpn for a year before going for an RN to gain nursing experience after getting my license. Are there opportunities for lpns to work with children especially in the Tennessee, Arkansas, or Mississippi areas? Where are some places for lpns to work besides in nursing homes? In general what is it like working as an lpn, what are the duties and skills they have?

Any advice and insight will be appreciated:)

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LPNs perform nursing tasks under the supervision of an RN or MD, no matter where you go. RNs will generally form the care plan for the patient and carry out the plan and delegate tasks as necessary to other team members, including the LPN. Generally the LPN is seen as a more "task oriented" nurse, performing the nursing tasks per the plan of care - wound care, medication administration, ADL assistance - bedside nursing. Officially, LPNs do not assess patients, they "collect data" for the assessment. Essentially reporting facts, but not drawing conclusions from these facts. That is left to the RN. LPNs still need to know the value of the data they collect, as they will be tailoring their care to meet the needs of the patient. LPNs may need separate certifications to perform IV starts. LPNs are not able to administer certain medications in some states (like IV cardiac meds).

In some places, LPNs can work in hospitals. In many places, they do not. Besides nursing homes, and especially if you want to work in Peds, LPNs can work in clinics, mental health settings, and home care settings. However, I'm not positive that LPNs are able to work complex peds cases in home care. That seems like an RN only type of job, perhaps someone who works in this field can clarify.

As far as what's better, BSN or LPN first? That's up to you. I personally think that being an LPN first would give you a leg-up during your continuing education, as you would have bedside experience. But if you want to work Peds, your best option would probably be RN first. You can always go ADN-BSN later, while gathering valuable experience on a hospital floor.

It's very easy to finish one part of nursing school and keep putting off going back to finish. You get comfortable where you are and nursing school is really hard. Keep that in mind.

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Specializes in critical care, ER,ICU, CVSURG, CCU.

you are anything but too old to go back to school........ if you desire to build a clinical foundation, where you can earn a salary while pursuing uoward mibility RN, becoming an LVN , might be your best first bet..... i am quite impressed with RN, that has LVN foundation.....

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You think you're too old?! Ha!!

My graduating class had a 65 year old and he has plans to get his RN and more. If you want it, go for it!

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Specializes in geriatrics, IV, Nurse management.
You think you're too old?! Ha!!

My graduating class had a 65 year old and he has plans to get his RN and more. If you want it, go for it!

My class too!

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Specializes in geriatrics, IV, Nurse management.
LPNs perform nursing tasks under the supervision of an RN or MD, no matter where you go. RNs will generally form the care plan for the patient and carry out the plan and delegate tasks as necessary to other team members, including the LPN. Generally the LPN is seen as a more "task oriented" nurse, performing the nursing tasks per the plan of care - wound care, medication administration, ADL assistance - bedside nursing. Officially, LPNs do not assess patients, they "collect data" for the assessment. Essentially reporting facts, but not drawing conclusions from these facts. That is left to the RN. LPNs still need to know the value of the data they collect, as they will be tailoring their care to meet the needs of the patient. LPNs may need separate certifications to perform IV starts. LPNs are not able to administer certain medications in some states (like IV cardiac meds).

In some places, LPNs can work in hospitals. In many places, they do not. Besides nursing homes, and especially if you want to work in Peds, LPNs can work in clinics, mental health settings, and home care settings. However, I'm not positive that LPNs are able to work complex peds cases in home care. That seems like an RN only type of job, perhaps someone who works in this field can clarify.

As far as what's better, BSN or LPN first? That's up to you. I personally think that being an LPN first would give you a leg-up during your continuing education, as you would have bedside experience. But if you want to work Peds, your best option would probably be RN first. You can always go ADN-BSN later, while gathering valuable experience on a hospital floor.

It's very easy to finish one part of nursing school and keep putting off going back to finish. You get comfortable where you are and nursing school is really hard. Keep that in mind.

They don't do assessments? Supervised by RNs? All depends on location.

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My class too!

Mine too!

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I'm not sure about Arkansas or Mississippi but, I live in Tennessee and LPNs here work in all areas of healthcare. We work in ltc, clinics, home health, private duty, schools, occupational health, corrections, group homes and even hospitals, although the jobs in hospitals have gotten fewer over the last few years. I occasionally see an LPN job posting for a hospital here and there, usually in postpartum or med surg.

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As for working peds as an LPN you could do, peds clinics, pediatric private duty or home health, school nursing or possibly even postpartum in the hospital (it'd probably be harder to get than the other jobs though)

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I was 29 when I gradated LPN school and was one of the youngest in my class; our average class age was 38. You're hardly too old! Anyway, I'd look for a bridge program that will go from LPN to BSN. You can get working experience as LPN and that will help tremendously!

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Thanks for the replies Nurses!

NurseDirtyBird: Thank you for the very informative post. It was truly helpful. Now I have a better understanding of what an LPN is and does.

Sallyrnrrt: Thank you, I feel its best that I start from the bottom and work my way up instead of trying to do everything at once. I'm mainly trying to build a foundation in nursing since this is what I really want to do in my life.

Pookyp: Wow 65! That's amazing and inspiring. I know I'm still fairly young, but I guess I feel like I should be graduating or already have my nursing licensing, but now I'm inspired to further my education while I'm still young.

AngelicDarkness: So the roles of LPN varies by state? That's interesting

Lindseylpn: What part of Tennessee do you live? I live in the Shelby County area. Did you get your diploma from Tennessee Technology Center?

T-Bird78: Thank you, now I'm more confident that i made the right choice.

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They don't do assessments? Supervised by RNs? All depends on location.

Yeah, LPNs do assess, but it's not officially recognized as an assessment. It's pretty clear it's the same darn thing on paper, but an LPN "collects data," rather than "assesses" according to our Nurse Practice Act. It's just a stupid word to delineate the duties between LPN and RN.

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