Do you like being a LPN? :)

Nurses LPN/LVN

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Hello Fellow nurses,

I was just curious to see what other fellow LPN's think. How do you like your job? Are you satisfied with being a LPN? What specialty are you working in? I would like to hear from LPN's who are not wishing to pursue for their RN.

:)

Specializes in Clinical Documentation Specialist, LTC.

I've been a LPN for more than 17 years and am currently employed as Head Nurse in an assisted living Alzheimer's home and like it for the most part. I do work some weekends but my hours are 6:30am-3:00pm, I get days off during the week which I love when my weekends to work come around, and all staff get 22 vacation days per year so we don't get overly burned out. I have worked as a MDS Coordinator for 14 years, worked in a clinic which I hated, and have worked on skilled rehab units in LTC. I've done quite a bit in my years as a LPN, but decided it was time to slow down, so I did. OP, I wish you much success in your career endeavors. The LPN program is very, very tough, but if you want it bad enough you will make it :) P.S. I have no plans of pursuing RN status.

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I've been a LPN for more than 17 years and am currently employed as Head Nurse in an assisted living Alzheimer's home and like it for the most part. I do work some weekends but my hours are 6:30am-3:00pm I get days off during the week which I love when my weekends to work come around, and all staff get 22 vacation days per year so we don't get overly burned out. I have worked as a MDS Coordinator for 14 years, worked in a clinic which I hated, and have worked on skilled rehab units in LTC. I've done quite a bit in my years as a LPN, but decided it was time to slow down, so I did. OP, I wish you much success in your career endeavors. The LPN program is very, very tough, but if you want it bad enough you will make it :) P.S. I have no plans of pursuing RN status.[/quote']

Thanks for the reply! :) hearing stories are really inspiring. 22 a vacation days!? That's great!

What is your typical work day like in the Assisted living ?

Thanks for the response!

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Specializes in Clinical Documentation Specialist, LTC.

A typical day in assisted living is pretty easy for the most part. As head nurse I give meds. on one unit for 12 patients, and the other nurse gives meds. on the other two units, which right now equals 18 patients. We are able to set up our morning meds., then give them during breakfast while all the residents are sitting at the tables so it takes maybe 15 minutes tops. I also do TB skin testing, make sure all residents are up to date on history and physicals, do monthly paperwork, assist the director in staffing and disciplinary issues, contact physicians when needed, make rounds with physicians, update care plans and sit in on care plan meetings, audit charts and other duties as delegated. It's really a very laid back job and I often find myself bored lol! P.S. On weekends there is only one nurse, but the entire process of setting up and giving meds. to all three units takes less than an hour and a half total.

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I am an LPN and very happy with my jobs. I have several. I make enough money to live on and am overall very happy and satisfied. I have no desire to work in the hospital setting nor do I have a desire to go back and pursue my RN. Being an LPN is enough nurse for me.

Maybe one day I will go back to school but it wouldn't be for my RN. It would be X-ray tech all the way. I would like to work in radiology and as an LPN one or two days a week.

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Fiona - calm down. I just got accepted into the PN program. I was just getting an insight from actual LPN's who are content with JUST being a LPN, one who does not or is not thinking of bridging to the RN program. Why so defensive? I'm not saying it as though LPNs are nothing, just one who doesn't wish to further their nursing career.

My lord, I have never met someone who is so quick to make hostile assumptions based off of text. I decided to further my education after MA. No disrespect to fellow LPN's, RN's or CNAs. If you can't answer me question, Fiona, please don't put your 2 cents in. I apologize for you reading it wrong and for your assumptions. I'm looking for nurses who are willing to give helpful insight to new nursing students, not one who is quick to jump down a students throat.

It's a quick reaction to being labeled "just" an LPN. We get that so much from RNs and even friends/family that it gets annoying very quickly. I had an RN tell the NP that I was "just an LPN" and the RN didn't think the NP should be asking for my help so much. Never mind the fact I had 5 years experience in that particular field and the RN had none, all the RN saw was the NP asking "just" the LPN for assistance. It's great that you're continuing your education and you'll love being a nurse.

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Back to the original post, I love being an LPN (despite the occasional "just an LPN" comment). I work in offices and love having my evenings, weekends, and holidays off to be with my husband and sons. I help pts on a daily basis, direct hands-on nursing, so there's definite satisfaction in that aspect.

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It's a quick reaction to being labeled "just" an LPN. We get that so much from RNs and even friends/family that it gets annoying very quickly. I had an RN tell the NP that I was "just an LPN" and the RN didn't think the NP should be asking for my help so much. Never mind the fact I had 5 years experience in that particular field and the RN had none, all the RN saw was the NP asking "just" the LPN for assistance. It's great that you're continuing your education and you'll love being a nurse.

I understand your reaction. I'm speaking of JUST a LPN, not a in-the-process-of-becoming-a-RN-LPN. Every time I speak to a LPN, they always say, "I'm currently working on my RN." I just want input from ones who are not bridging. I'm really excited to start. I hear the nurse world can be dog eat dog.

Thanks for your input! :)

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I am an LPN and very happy with my jobs. I have several. I make enough money to live on and am overall very happy and satisfied. I have no desire to work in the hospital setting nor do I have a desire to go back and pursue my RN. Being an LPN is enough nurse for me.

Maybe one day I will go back to school but it wouldn't be for my RN. It would be X-ray tech all the way. I would like to work in radiology and as an LPN one or two days a week.

That's awesome! My husband is currently in Rad Tech School. It seems like much fun. More power to you. As an LPN do you work 12 hour shifts?

Thanks for the input. :)

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Specializes in Psych, LTC/SNF, Rehab, Corrections.
Hello Fellow nurses,

I was just curious to see what other fellow LPN's think. How do you like your job? Are you satisfied with being a LPN? What specialty are you working in? I would like to hear from LPN's who are not wishing to pursue for their RN.

:)

I've been an lvn under a year (I dunno. Feels like forever). I'm only pursuing my RN because i want more money...for what I do. We do the same as rns at the facility in which i work...'...and you're making how much more than me?' Lol

I also want to join some nursing organizations that wont accept me itherwise. I want my voice to count. I mean, I just got my FIRST Texas nurses voice paper and read a n article about these folks doing all they can to criminalize violence against nurses. Thats great. But I can't join the ANA to support the issue because im an lvn...although I'm getting cursed at and 'swung on' just like an RN? Lol

Things need to change. The system won't...and you cant fight 'city hall'. So I will.

I'd kind of like to be a certified nurse specialist, too. Somewhat....but that may change as well.

Other than that? I have no issue being an lvn. I have no great urge to work in a hospital. I've done hospitals for most of my professional life ( in radiology/management). Ill do what's best to become more wellrounded nurse...but I'm not exactly itching to go back. I can do without 12 hr shifts and hospital culture.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I'm over it. Let's get that RN licensure going!!!

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I love being an LPN!! We do the hands on nursing. RN's in most instances tend to do more paperwork than anything else. I work in a nursing home where I work so hard I sweat!! I have STNA's & they're working too... It's just BUSY!! But, my residents tell me how they appreciate me. I had one gentleman tell me "don't tell the other nurses, but you are the best thing this place has going for it!". I have another lady who knows my exact schedule because she counts the days till I get back!! To me, that's worth more than a paycheck... (Too bad it doesn't pay the bills) lol!! I'm happy doing what I do. I know LPN's count & I'm paid well. I don't need the letters after my name to please those people who don't realize we are intelligent also.

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Specializes in Pediactric.

ilove being a nurse. i work peds through in home care. i never get tired of my job, although the parents can be very difficult. i think if tyou love being an lpn/lvn you should want to pursue RN, you have more flexibility in wheat floors you work, your pay, and unfortunately you have more respect. so for that want to be an RN, they are fazing us out and our pay could be better... so i'm enrolling in a private BSN program this fall.

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