Does anyone else feel pressure to get your RN?

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Aug 6, 2013

As someone who was a LPN and now a 1-year RN, I didn't feel pressure to get my RN; I wanted to because of the specialties I worked in (Rehabilitation and Pediatrics) I couldn't get certified in unless I was an RN.

When people asked me when I was getting my RN, sometimes NP, it was out if respect to my practice; they rather see me progress higher; they see my practice as a great example for the profession.

I would take it as a complement...and if you enjoy being a LPN, then continue making a difference in your current practice. :yes:

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Aug 6, 2013

I worked as an LPN for 4 years and never felt any pressure to earn my RN license.

However, I returned to school and became an RN because I realized that LPNs perform many of the same tasks and skills and hold similar responsibilities, often for less money.

RLtinker, LPN · Aug 6, 2013

I worked as an LPN for 4 years and never felt any pressure to earn my RN license.
However, I returned to school and became an RN because I realized that LPNs perform many of the same tasks and skills and hold similar responsibilities, often for less money.

Basically this.

For most of us in my school getting a RN would have been preferred, but ended up in the LPN program as a back up option. The program has 600 applicants a semester and took the top 60 for each program. We actually had the same training and the same classes up to the last semester, RN's got an extra class (management) and their med-surge 3, practical issues, and OB/PEDs class had a different name plus some more clinical time. The bridge program is less competitive and equates to 6 more classes, five of which include the RN version of classes and clinicals we have already taken. So for us it makes sense to go back and finish our "RN".

Pressure wise, I would say there has always been the pressure not just get an RN, but go all the way to BSN. If not from our teachers, but also employers. In the end it is about having more options, if you want to stay in LTC that is fine, but finding jobs in other nursing positions become more difficult or the doors maybe even closed all together. And then there is the money, LPNs have a more limited scope of practice and therefor tend to be payed less for similar work as RNs.

LVN2RNMom, ASN, BSN, LVN · Aug 6, 2013

I've never felt the pressure but I've always wanted to be an RN with a masters degree. So, it was always in my plan regardless.

T-Bird78 · Aug 6, 2013

I'm tired of hearing the "just an LPN" line. I'm LPN with no plans of getting my RN but some people don't recognize that.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Aug 6, 2013

I'm tired of hearing the "just an LPN" line. I'm LPN with no plans of getting my RN but some people don't recognize that.

If you work with an organization like that...they are truly doing YOU and LPNs a disservice.

In my 7-8 years of being a LPN, including in school, I have NEVER heard anyone refer to me "JUST a LPN"; the only time I can remember a variant of that line was in school; but we the students didn't hear it; our instructor did; we didn't return to that floor or that hospital :no:

If anything, if you enlighten and are proud of being a LPN, things usually fall into place; at least what I've seen and experienced; it's usually the misinformed, no reference in their sphere RNs (and people) that have NEVER encountered the LPN usually has no idea. In my experience, I know more people that know people who were LPNs, including a ton of patients I've had in my work and my clinical rotations, even during my RN program. Some of my pts who were former LPNs lived in areas where LPNs birthed babies, worked in schools, post mortem care in their towns homes...they were respected, and when the visitors showed up, they showed up! :yes:

I have seen more positive responses of being an LPN than negative; and the for the minuscule negative times, I could care LESS of it...I can't even remember.

Let people who see your talents as a LPN want you to aim higher...for the others that can't articulate that, don't let that steal your comfort in being the nurse that you are. :)

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Aug 6, 2013

Not one of us LPN's are 'just' an LPN :)

I love LTC care and started my first position as an LPN in a local SNF/LTC facility. One day I had said to the nursing supervisor (RN), "I know I'm just an LPN but I think.." She stopped me mid sentence and then grabbed me by the shoulders and said "no you are not JUST an LPN, you are a nurse, the same as I am. And you, your opinions, observations and suggestions are very valuable to me! Now, you were saying?"

Another time I knew of an easier more efficient way to do something that I was watching her (the super) struggle with. She was a new grad RN and it was her first job so she was still 'green' behind the ears. I approached her and said "I know you are an RN and I'm only an LPN, but I learned a trick in LPN school that might make it easier to do what your trying to do" This time she glared at me, and semi-raised her voice and said "Pixie! You're right I am an RN, you are an LPN. But that doesn't mean your 'only' or 'just' anything less to me. Please take as much pride in your work and patient care as I do!" That was the last time I was in the 'only' or 'just' an LPN line of thinking.

Anyway, onto the question. I always wanted to be a nurse. I became an LPN. I didn't feel pressured to get my RN by anyone. I did have some residents families ask if I had planned to go on, but no one every said 'when' are you going to do it.

I graduated my LPN to RN bridge program in May and became licenesed only this past June. I did it because my job options were very, very limited and while I absolutely adore LTC, I also have a burning passion for Peds and emergency/critical care. As an LPN those specialties are not an option around here.

systoly · Aug 7, 2013

what do You want to do

if your happy and generating enough income

there is no pressure

how do you see your future

i believe pursuing RN is certainly worth giving serious consideration

but not because "it's the thing to do"

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Aug 8, 2013

I was an LPN for 24 years before economic changes forced me back into school. I've been an RN for 3 years and 2 months now. At the hospital that I worked at, they were cancelling staff LPNs before they would cancel agency RNs when the census began to drop regularly. No other facility was hiring LPNs as they were feeling the pinch with census and cash flows as well. Had things not changed economically, I would still be working as an LPN because I had no desire whatsoever to return to school, especially after 24 years. I was making a good living, too, because I was part of the Float Pool, which paid more than fulltime RN pay. But, I gotta admit, I'm enjoying the pay that a Float RN makes. I just wish I had it in me to work more than 2 days a week.....I would really be banking! :inlove: I wish I could offer an eloquent explanation of sorts but in the end, it's all about the money for me. And since I learned how to do without the excess baggage (as in handbags), I really don't require that much cash, given what I have to go through to get it.

Jay_LPN · Aug 8, 2013

I'm not even half-way through school and I'm pressured by parents to go further. So much negativity out of my mom towards LPNs and I'm not even sure she can explain what's different beyond the length of their programs.

But still I plan to go back to school after 2-4 years of working (pre-reqs expire in 10). If I come to prefer the LPN role I'll stick with it regardless of what anyone else wants. It is my life and I'll live it however I wish. :rolleyes:

Philly_LPN_Girl, LPN · Aug 8, 2013

I graduate my lpn program next week and I do not feel pressured to get my rn. My initial plan was to go for rn but after a few failed attempts to get into an rn program, ive decided to do lpn first then bridge over.

I want to get my rn to have more job opportunities and to go for nursing specialties.