Does anyone regret becoming an LPN?

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Please be honest. I know this is blunt, and some will get upset. And I also know some may not want to admit because there are others here who already look down on our profession. But are there times when you regret the choice that you made to become an LPN? Just a question.

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No, but the decision was made for me. The program I entered requires that first year students pass the NCLEX-PN to go on the the rN year.

I am working as an LPN while continuing on-line for the rN. I knew that I would not be satisfied with the limited scope of practice and opportunities of the LPN, but it serves to hone my clinical skills while allowing me to earn money and gain decent benefits, both of which are important to my husband and me.

I know a lot of LPN's who are quite contented with it and have no desire to advance their licensing level. And that's fine - they are competent, good nurses who serve a vital function on the floor.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Med-Surg..

I feel the same way as suesquatch. I also start my RN this fall if all goes well. I too, am tired of being limited to only certain practice areas, however I do like LTC but it is very difficult if not impossible to find an LTC with decent work conditions. Just my opinion.

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Specializes in Oncology/med surg, Occupational Health.

No, I do not regret becoming an LPN. I do regret not doing it sooner. It is very rewarding. It sure does beat the factory job I had for 10 years.

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Specializes in HH, Psych, MR/DD, geriatric, agency.

I do regret becoming an LPN to an extent. In Ohio, our scope of practice is very limited. We're basically only utilized in LTC, ALF, and doctor's offices. Very few hospital positions are available to us. Now with the intraduction (sp?) of Medication Aides here, we're slowly becoming obsolete. Its cheaper to have one LPN oversee a facility full of MAs than it is have an LPN in each unit.

I can't wait to get my RN. Hopefully, I'll get to start that this summer.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I got my LPN because I wasn't sure if I would like nursing and figured I could get through 3 semesters of most anything. So its a double edge sword because now I'm really frustrated with trying to find a bridge program but on the other hand knowing what I knew at the time getting my LPN was the right choice for me. If only foresight was 20/20 like hindsight, lol.

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Please be honest. I know this is blunt, and some will get upset. And I also know some may not want to admit because there are others here who already look down on our profession. But are there times when you regret the choice that you made to become an LPN? Just a question.

I am a new LPN. I do regret my decision sometimes....I work as a float for several clinics and sometimes feel extremely overwhelmed and doubt my abilities to be a good nurse. I just have to remember to tell myself that I am new to this and it comes easier to everyone as they gather new experiences.

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Specializes in Emergency.

I hate to say it; but, I also regret not getting my RN many years ago. I am going to school now on-line and it's very hard to get back in the school mold. I can see the writing on the wall here in Ohio and it's not pretty. I never heard of medication aides; this is very worrisome not only for LPN's but for the patients as well. I've had 3 courses in pharmacology in my career! How much pharmacology are the med aides going to get!!! Only time will tell. I do wish circumstances had been different for me and I could have done this additional schooling instead of getting my LPN or at least had been able to go back to school soon after I had started working as an LPN.:o

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

When I became an LPN in 1992, I knew that RN was the goal, so kept going right into the ADN program. No -I don't regret it at all. However, for what I wanted to do, hospital nursing, I needed an RN.

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No way!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I don't regret earning my LVN license. In fact, I wish I had earned my LVN license right out of high school. It has enabled me to have a career with a sense of fulfillment, a stable income, flexible scheduling, and advancement opportunities.

I am in the process of pursuing my RN license because of the increased pay, higher educational level, and broadened opportunities.

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I hate to say it; but, I also regret not getting my RN many years ago. I am going to school now on-line and it's very hard to get back in the school mold. I can see the writing on the wall here in Ohio and it's not pretty. I never heard of medication aides; this is very worrisome not only for LPN's but for the patients as well. I've had 3 courses in pharmacology in my career! How much pharmacology are the med aides going to get!!! Only time will tell. I do wish circumstances had been different for me and I could have done this additional schooling instead of getting my LPN or at least had been able to go back to school soon after I had started working as an LPN.:o

Moodychick.. your post is the reason why I posed the question. The picture isn't very pretty here either as far as opportunities go. And like you traumaRN, I prefer to work in a hospital. So I've been in school for two years to become an LPN, graduated, passed the NCLEX, and am now having the hardest time finding a fulltime job. Now I'm back in school for another 3 years hoping to not be put on someones waiting list! I'm just having a hard time with this. I know you all may not be in the same boat.

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