Best reasons for LPN over RN

Practicalone, LPN · Mar 7, 2009

Well, I graduated back in July 08 as an LPN. I took a position at a doctors office and I love it. Here is my sinerio, if I go back & get my RN, I will no longer be able to work in the area that I'm in, because they only hire LPN's in the office's at the facility I work for. So right now no way am I going back to school for another 2years (1yr for the rest of my general class' & 1yr for RN classes). I am very happy right now, I have a set schedule, M-F, 8-5, no weekeds & especially no more nights. Maybe down the road I may want to change, but right now I don't see it happening. I love my job, the doctors that I work for and the flexiblility that is there for me. Good Luck.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Mar 8, 2009

Interesting reading here, thanks. I have a question: I'm in my 3rd semester of nursing & I'm wondering what you would consider the best reasons for LPN over RN. I'm having some doubts and am just curious. Please give me some input!

I think it has to do with what your expectations in life are. I am employed in a hospital clinic setting and love it. I work Monday to Friday, (some of our clinics work alternate Saturdays, but I am not currently assigned to them). I have no intention of permanently working the wards, but do it per diem under scenerios I can generally control. I am not as distracted with additional responsibilities that are ridiculous and can better focus on patient care. Those who know me on these forums are well aware that becoming an RN is not attractive to me.

When my mother died she left me a house with no mortgage...I am only paying property taxes and am married to a great husband. I can afford my home on an LPN salary. If I were alone, it would be a bit more challenging, but it can be done. Not much of a problem to raise $3000 a year for property taxes versus trying to fight and pay these mortgages. From what I have seen, it is extremely true that the RN has more opportunities in varied settings, but I also see an increase of responsibility but with the same trying circumstances and that is not interesting to me.

Most people, however, believe that the LPN limits them due to scope of practice issues and broader job opportunities and become frustrated, thus decide to further their education. Since you are currently in your LPN program, complete it, see what the job market is like for LPNs in your area and see from there. You always have the option to return if you are really determined. At least see if your credits can easily transfer to an RN program, look around at what is available regarding RN programs to have that on the back-burner in case you decide to go further later on.

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 8, 2009

I think it has to do with what your expectations in life are. .....

Great, balanced, wise post. It's always nice to see such a post on allnurses. Thank you.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Mar 9, 2009

Great, balanced, wise post. It's always nice to see such a post on allnurses. Thank you.

Thank you for the compliment. It is especially meaningful coming from you!:heartbeat:up: :yeah: :bow:

Old and New · Mar 10, 2009

Thank you, all of you, for your input. I think it's just great that I can ask any question here and get well thought out answers. It makes nursing school much less stressful. :bow:

lpnflorida · Mar 10, 2009

The best reason for not being an RN.. Charge? oh no I am only an LPN we are not allowed to be charge in the hospital. I love it. They the Charge nurses have the most thankless jobs next to the supervisors on the unit.

I love being an LPN.

DebanamRN, MSN, RN · Mar 12, 2009

Charge is the worst job in the ER. I love being the bedside nurse who gets to know the patients. The RNs are stuck to the phone & computer. I'm free. I actually get to go to the bathroom!

I didn't know if I was cut out for nursing. LPN school was 10 months and cost $3,000, paid by financial aid and my job place. I had nothing to lose. I gained everything.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Mar 12, 2009

The best reason for not being an RN.. Charge? oh no I am only an LPN we are not allowed to be charge in the hospital. I love it. They the Charge nurses have the most thankless jobs next to the supervisors on the unit.
I love being an LPN.

I second that!! I would hate to be charge ANYWHERE. I hope that I don't have to work in a place where that would become one of my responsibilities. It is thankless, everyone complains and you take the blame for what happens, even when 95% of the time, you were not present when the incident happened. Not worth it to me.