Crushed Future LPN

IGNORE THEM.

For some of us, becoming an LPN first was our only route into nursing, for many reasons. For me, it was that I needed to pay my own way at age 20. Others don't come from a strong academic background, and use the LPN path as they build up their academic muscles and self-confidence. While yes, you will be looked down on a lesser nurses as an LPN (aka Licensed Phony Nurse), you don't have to internalize this. As they say "sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me."

I am now a full-time faculty memeber in a BSN program, with a Master's degree from a top tier program, and am looking into a DNP. One of my colleagues just completed a PhD; she also spent many years as an LPN. We are interviewing a person for a position who also started out as an LPN. The only thing that might ever hold you back back is you!

My LPN background has benefitted me in many ways. It not only helped me excell in my ADN and BSN programs, but it shaped my ability to really, fully connect with patients as a result of having spent 15 years as a true bedside nurse. Even as an advanced practice nurse, that served me well. The only (minor) regret I have is that if I had become an RN sooner and gotten an advanced degree at a younger age, I might have made more contributions to nursing as a profession.

Go for it. Have a plan to get into an RN program within a year, hopefully one that matriculates directly to a BSN program.

Have you ever heard this one?

Why is it so easy to keep crabs in a bucket, even without a lid?

Because as soon as one tries to climb out, the others will pull him right back in.

Those persons are the other crabs, and they cannot see their way out of the bucket. Don't let them pull you back in. Go for it!

Stand tall-be VERY proud of your decision to become a NURSE. That is what you will be. You'll graduate from an accredited school,pass a difficult board exam and have the initials LPN after your name every time you chart. You will be the bedside nurse who knows her pts./residents/elders/clients better than anyone because that is what you'll be trained to do. You'll absorb an amazing amount of information from everyone around you,and if you're curious,intelligent,respectful and professional,maybe one day someone will turn to you and say"I didn't know you're not an RN! What is an LPN anyway?" And YOU WILL TELL THEM!:redbeathe:redbeathe

Oh boy! I went from CNA, to Nurse Tech, to LPN, to RN. Let me tell you! I enjoyed LPN the most. I got great pay! If anything happened, i got the RN and didn't have too much to worry about. Well now, as an RN, i have a ton more responsibilities and not much more pay than i was getting as an LPN. I got more raises as an LPN.

I always get this, "You're the RN, you know more, you do it".

When there's trouble, they always come to me! I'm the RN.

It is nice thought sometimes to feel proud that I made it this far when a lot of my co workers dropped out at LPN level or simply didn't make it. But heck, all in all, I enjoyed the LPN level. Less stress!

Good luck, whatever you do.

As soon as you get your LPN license, the same ignoramuses will be asking you for medical advice. I'm saddened that you care so much about opinions from people who don't seem to care too much about you.

I got them kind of comments too. Don't let the ignorance of others smother your achievements. Become an LPN. It's your life! Alot of those people probably dont even know the difference. I have a feeling everyone gets crap for what they go for. LPN's shoulda went for RN. Adn's shoulda got a bachelors and so on and so on. Take it one step at a time. It's the start of a thick skin you need for the nursing profession anyway. :-) Good Luck! Be Proud of yourself. Don't let anyone take that away from you.

I echo all that has already been said. Nursing can be very progressive. You do not have to remain an LPN if you don't want to. RN programs are so competitive that a perspective student can waste many years on waiting lists; meanwhile, you can remain on that same list and gain NURSING (because you WILL be a NURSE) experience as an LPN. Now, they are creating many bridge programs for LPNs to transition to RNs or even BSNs, so, becoming an LPN is not a waste of time.

I think it offers one to earn their license within a year or so and see if they do, in fact, have the interest, energy and stamina to go further in nursing. I have had some RNs that have been LPNs first say to me that they were able to transition into the additional responsibility when they were ready, rather than be swept up before they were prepared as mentioned by kickmeiamanurse, others, such as myself that have no interest in becoming an RN at all...you get to see it all. And, you will continue to have choices. As long as you are determined, if you want to become an RN later, you can bridge, maybe take an online program (if your state accepts them), etc...

What upsets me sometimes is that some of the comments that the OP mentioned may actually be stated by RNs. I never understood that sort of rationale...I would rather that a person earn their buck honestly someplace rather than be the one to hit me upside my head or show a gun because they are unemployed and desperate. Do what is best for YOU.

Thank you all for your advice. I guess I don't really care about the opinions of others. It's just that it hurts when you want to share some happy news with family and "close" friends and all you get is, negativity.

Around here, it is such a touchy subject between LPN's and RN's. I work as a PCA at a local hospital and when the RN's have asked me if I am going for nursing or something in the Medical field, I have told them yes. A smile sets of their faces and then when I say I'm in the LPN program they smile immediately fades...like an on/off switch.

I am currently taking Medical Terminology while I wait to start the LPN program in August and all I here from my classmates is that the LPN program is for those who didn't succeed in the RN program (aka, RN Rejects), or those too afraid to be in the RN program.

I love working close with patients. As a PCA I have to do 12 hour shifts with the same patient and I really get to know them. We talk, and talk, and talk! At the end of my shift they don't want me to live. I enjoy being close to them and helping them with changing, brushing their hair, eating, reading a book...its such a fullfilling moment for me. To finally have found something that I love to do. At the end of my shift, I don't feel tired. I feel happy.

So you guys are right...I can't let some ingnorant people get in the way of achieving my goal. I have to just keep pressing forward and remember they are just bumps in my road to success!

Stop worrying about what other people say or think about you. My instructor started out as a housekeeper at a LTC and she became a CNA after working for the LTC. She graduated from an LPN program and later went back to school to become an RN.

Nothing wrong with being an LPN and nobody should be putting an LPN down because some of the best nurses I have met are LPN's. I personally know some LPN's that would run circles around a RN.

Here is what I would reply with to those people.

1. LPN is actually a "nursing" program?- Yes it is. Very difficult actually.

2. Please tell me you are planning on moving on the RN program. If I want to. because theres nothing wrong with being an LPN. The world needs them too.

3. Why would you go the route where there is no money?- I am not disappointed with my paycheck.

4. Why would you do such a dumb thing? - Why would you ask such a dumb thing?

5. Oh, thats nice....... - Thanks.. I am very excited to be an LPN.

6. You will Ace everything in the LPN program because it is such a "huge" drop from the RN program...way too easy.- not true.

7. You might as well just go for your CNA certificate....less expensive and you will do the same thing.- I wouldn't last as a CNA.

8. Do you know how little they make an hour?- I don't make little.

9. Are you going into the LPN program because you couldn't get into the RN program- I went to the LPN program because I would like to get nursing experience while working towards the RN program.

10. So you are going to become a Little Pretend Nurse....... No I am going to become a Licensed Practical Nurse.

11. That's stupid. -- You are stupid.

Overall. Its your career. Not theirs. Becoming an LPN was the best thing I ever did in my life so far. I will never regret it.

I became an LPN because it was a good way to transition back into school as a much older student. I've been an LPN for five years. When I told my 80 y/o mother that I was pursuing my ADN, she said, "Oh, so then you'll be a real nurse." Yes, even my own mother said that to me. I had to explain to her that an LPN is a real nurse. I'm proud to be an LPN. I'd encourage you to be comfortable with whatever decision you've made after researching your options. I believe that becoming an LPN prior to finishing my ADN has made me a better nurse. That's what has worked for me. Don't let others dissuade you or shame you away from your dreams. I wish you the best in your future career as a nurse. :twocents: