How did you know the LPN/LVN route was for you???

pagandeva2000, LPN · Apr 18, 2007

The story is, I am in CNA class right now & I want to get on the wait list for the nursing program at our community college. They have two programs offered - the LPN Program & the ADN Program (the RN Program). School is going to take me awhile to get through, whichever route I take. What I know for certain is that I'd like to work in Hospice and/or Oncology. Thing is - RN jobs - well they are EVERYWHERE & LPN/LVN jobs are a bit harder to come across. My very original plan was to go for my LPN degree. I think that it's still what I want to do - if I decide I'd like to go on to be an RN another time - I can, right? Another thing - what are some of the major differences between BEING an LPN/LVN & an RN? My sister-in-law told me that LPN/LVN's spend more time with the patient but she's not a nurse so I can't take her word as gold - Any advice?
I'd like to know why YOU chose to go the LPN/LVN route??? My thought is that nurses are great, whichever you are -
I just can't decide which to be. =)

Well, what made me choose the LPN route is that the title represents who I am...a practical person. I was not really interested in a great deal of theory, nor did I feel equipped to deal with the additional responsibilities that RNs have. I wanted to be a basic nurse, understand and perform basic nursing duties and care for people. The practical nursing course is extremely intense and crammed, but it is basic information, at least to me. Too much information overwhelms me to no end. I am happy with what I am doing, and here in New York City, I am finding each day that there are MANY opportunities for LPNs. At this time, I have the ability to make close to $400 a day if I chose to with home care and other assignments...I just need more experience.

You can choose to become an RN at a later date and there are more opportunities to become one through on line courses and bridge programs. You will not be mandated to remain an LPN if you choose not to. In most states LPNs are not able to make initial assessments, or to push IV drugs or hang blood unless they are specifically trained and certified to do so. Some do not deal with PIC lines or central lines. At times, it may be hard to define the hallmark between what the difference is between the LPN and RN, but, basically, the more education you have, as a rule, the more job opportunities are available to you.

Most people that have chose the LPN route have done so because the waiting lists for the RN are very long (some as long as 5 years) and more competitive. Others wanted to work quickly as nurses. Most LPNs feel limited because the job scope usually goes towards long term care, and many are discouraged with that, but it depends on what state you live in and the nurse practice acts.

Personally, I feel that either choice is a rewarding experience, and you actually can contribute in a positive manner to patient care. And, if you have on your mind that you want to become an RN, you WILL. Best of luck to you!

WickedRedRN, BSN, RN · Apr 18, 2007

Well, a couple of things factored into my decison. First and foremost was cost. It was MUCH easier for me and my family to deal with me not working for a year, rather than 2 years. This way I can work my way through the RN completion program and make decent money, not to mention the value of the work experience.

Job wise, once I got my license I found opportunities all around. Dr offices, LTC, assisted living, yes even in hospitals. I find the experience I gain now is a huge benefit to me.

Good luck in your decision!

postmortem_cowboy · Apr 18, 2007

A few things... #1, why stop at your LVN unless that's what you want to stay forever. At the mid point of the RN program you can always go and take your boards for your LVN, so that when your done with your RN and waiting to take your boards for RN, your already a licensed LVN and can work.

#2 there will always be more LVN's out there than RN's, there's fewer RN schools cranking out ADN's than LVN schools.

I chose this route in a number of ways. I got out of the service in 96 wanting to be a police officer, went to school and graduated with my AS degree in criminal justice in 2000, over the summer I'd decided to take the EMT course, and got working with an ambulance company and fell in love with the work. After being an EMT for a while, I decided I couldn't do enough in my opinion for the patients that I transported, either by schooling or just licensing, which prompted me to look at being a nurse. I went the vocational route due to the AS degree I already had, and was going to keep going and get my RN done right afterwards, it took me 2 1/2 years to get started on my pre-requisites, the same reason though, although I can do alot for a patient, I want to do more, the more I can do, maybe I can be a great effect on anothers life. Most of us will probably say in one form fashion or another that this is why we became nurses, or the blunt "I like helping people" but most people really can't put into words other than that how they feel or how what this type of a profession makes them feel about the work they do.

Wayne.

Jules A, MSN · Apr 18, 2007

Hi,

I started with my LPN because I wasn't even sure nursing was for me and figured that I could put up with a year of most anything. As it turned out I do love nursing and picking this route has taken longer than if I had just gone for my RN but for me under the circumstances I am happy with my choice.

If you need the LPN income while you work toward your RN that would be a good reason to start there, if not since it sounds like you are familiar with nursing I would go right for my RN. Best to you! Jules

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Apr 18, 2007

I didn't. I applied to the local community college nursing program thinking it was a 2 year ASN course. It was one yer to LPN then another to RN. I got into the RN year but I hated school so much I decided to opt out of year two and go the Excelsior route.

I'm already burned out as an LPN in NYS. I am unlicensed to do almost anything that requires critical thinking skills - the LPN scope of practice is very limited in NYS. My critical thinking involves calling the RN.

Lorie P. · Apr 18, 2007

I took the LPN route for several reasons;

1. after having a micropreemie at 23.6 weeks, 2 open-heart surgeries, I knew I had found my calling to become a nurse.

2. LPN school was completely paid for with the Hope Grant in state of GA.

3. Rn school had a 2.5 year wait

Now I am going the Exclesior way due to the fact Rn school is still1-2 years waiting list and I hate all the homework and the **** classes one has to take.

Finially I LOVE BEING A NURSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

DreamyEyes · Apr 18, 2007

I've decided to go the LPN route first after I become a CNA.

I really don't want to wait 2 years just to get into nursing school. I know I'm still young, but I want to get out there and start working as a nurse to get some experience and make money before I go for my RN. Once I become an LPN, I will either bridge into the RN program, or take classes on Exclesior since I've heard very good things about it. I'm very happy that I'm choosing the LPN route right now. I eventually want to get my RN, because I want to work as a pediatric oncology nurse...but that might even change, and I might end up loving LTC!

I don't know what the future holds, but I'm glad that I'm going to go for my LPN. :nurse:

Miss Ivy · Apr 20, 2007

There were a few things that factored into my decision to go the LPN route:

1) I was 38 yrs old when I started the initial pre-reqs for the program and 40 yrs old when I actually began the program. I am now 42 yrs old, have my license in hand and have a job in a peds office.

2) My mother in law, who has been an RN for well over 50 yrs and still works essentially full time in a drs office (the dr is 85 yrs old herself!) advised me to take the LPN route when I told her I was going to go to school to become a nurse because the program is shorter, thereby meaning less of an expense AND it would take less time. She thought I should go into this program to see if and how much I liked it - which I did - so if I didnt like it, I wouldn't lose out on too much time or $$.

3)The RN program at the community college, which is where I got my PN certificate, had a long 2 yr wait.

4) The PN program is a night/weekend program which fit my schedule as a FT stay at home mom just fine. My husband gets home at 5, just as I'd walk out the door to go to class or clinicals. The RN program is a daytime program...no nights/weekends...which would've been problematic in terms of childcare.

5) I could've tried to get into other RN programs - there are several bigger colleges in my area with RN programs - including Ohio State University - but they were all LONG programs. (OSU's RN program is 5 yrs) WHen you're older, who wants to be in school THAT long?!! Not me!

I'm happy with my PN certificate. I am working towards my RN but it will take me awhile to get it now. I'll be going thru College Network. But I'm happy as a PN. I could stop but I want to continue to learn/grow.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Apr 22, 2007

A few things... #1, why stop at your LVN unless that's what you want to stay forever. At the mid point of the RN program you can always go and take your boards for your LVN, so that when your done with your RN and waiting to take your boards for RN, your already a licensed LVN and can work.
#2 there will always be more LVN's out there than RN's, there's fewer RN schools cranking out ADN's than LVN schools.
I chose this route in a number of ways. I got out of the service in 96 wanting to be a police officer, went to school and graduated with my AS degree in criminal justice in 2000, over the summer I'd decided to take the EMT course, and got working with an ambulance company and fell in love with the work. After being an EMT for a while, I decided I couldn't do enough in my opinion for the patients that I transported, either by schooling or just licensing, which prompted me to look at being a nurse. I went the vocational route due to the AS degree I already had, and was going to keep going and get my RN done right afterwards, it took me 2 1/2 years to get started on my pre-requisites, the same reason though, although I can do alot for a patient, I want to do more, the more I can do, maybe I can be a great effect on anothers life. Most of us will probably say in one form fashion or another that this is why we became nurses, or the blunt "I like helping people" but most people really can't put into words other than that how they feel or how what this type of a profession makes them feel about the work they do.
Wayne.

Some states, (mine being NY is one of them) are saying that as of June 2007 are no longer able to opt for taking NCLEX-PN during their RN program. I think this is unfortunate, because some people really wish to work and gain nursing experience while earning the RN license, and others really need the money. I wonder if this will change for more states as time moves on.

prostreetrig · Apr 23, 2007

Hi there. I will start by saying it's in the genes. My mother was an OB nurse in the navy, aunt was a nurse at the prison, my twin brother and I are nurses, my other aunt and her daughter are nurses. So, why did I become a nurse? I worked eight years as a mental health tech. Loved my job but wasn't being challenged anymore. The first day I had PT contact I knew I had found my niche. Now I work as a Hospice nurse and absolutely love it. I am currently going for my RN online and then to CNS classes after RN for specilaty in end of life and palliative care. Hope that helps! Just remember, you will know right away if it's for you. It's not the happiness that comes with it it's an emotion. That's the best way I can tell you. Good luck.

niteshiftlvn07 · May 30, 2007

:monkeydance: I actually went to a 4 yr univ to get my bsn. After 2 years of taking prerequisites(gpa 3.2) and applying 3 times to get in the nursing program(very competitive), I decided to look into getting into a local C.C. assoc. degree rn program(less expensive$$). The waiting list was 2 yrs long:uhoh3: , so I decided to do the lvn program(no waiting list/only needed to complete 1 extra pre-req class). I got accepted and the rest is history!!! I don't regret my decision because I was able to get into the nursing career field. I am working on getting my rn license, but in the meantime I'm enjoying being a nurse!!:balloons: