I just want to be an LPN...

gentlegiver, ASN, LPN, RN · Mar 23, 2007

I went for my LPN for the same reasons. I feel locked into LTC. LPN's are great sources of information but are pushed aside by most of the medical field. There would be less of a Nursing shortage if we were able to work in settings other than LTC & Dr's offices. Around here the only LPN's in hospitals are grandfathered in, 2 hospitals hired LPN's as a "trial" to see if they were able to handle floor work. They are not allowed to work CCU, Neuro, ER, or any other speciality floor. I often find myself wondering if LPN's will ever be respected for what we are capable of.

kat7ap · Mar 23, 2007

My feelings have been mixed about being an LPN. I intially was trying for the RN program but got very frustrated with waiting so I opted to get my LPN in a 1 year program to start making $ and to gain experience. I did think I would be "fine" for a while with just the LPN, but I have to say I am fairly unsatisfied so far, (it's been almost a year). I know already that this is not something I could do for a life time career and be happy. The limits of my scope can be frustrating, job opportunities outside LTC are very limited, and I just feel like there is so much more info I need and want to know that they just don't teach you in LPN school because they say "oh you won't need to know that" or "that's more than you need to know".

However financially it has been very rewarding. You will be respected and looked up to by others. I fortunately I have not had anyone "look down" at me being an LPN so far. I do not take offense when people ask when/if I will get my RN. I tell them ASAP! Overall though, LPN is a great way to get into nursing.

Soup Turtle · Mar 23, 2007

Why do people have to make it sound like I am taking the 'easy' way out?
I intended to go the RN route, but after being out of school since 1999, and having a 2 year old to care for and no help at all, well, RN is too much right now.
I have no money and I need to work as soon as I can. I do plan on getting my RN later, but I am just fine with LPN.
I have been doing prereq's this year to prepare for nursing school and right around mid year I realized that LPN is fine. I can be just as happy doing that. I will never want to be in any form of management. I don't like to be the 'boss' of anyone and the only thing that I want to do is give meds. So I will get my certification for that.
Why is this not good enough? Why is this degree so important to everyone? Even though those same people thought I was an idiot for wanting to be a nurse in the first place just one year ago. "Why would you want to clean up poop everyday of your life?"
Honestly I am just sick of it. I may be very happy to 'just' be an LPN, but if I want to continue and get my RN, it is MY choice. :angryfire
Sorry for this huge rant- I just need to hear from others who understand.
Besides, I am already into school and I didn't bother with the RN applications. I know what I want.. even if it is just 'for now'.

Well, you say you originally intended to become an RN...maybe people think they're encouraging you to do what they think you WANT to do?

I worked as a receptionist for 10 years and constantly had people telling me I should go to school. I was happy being a receptionist! (and still am) I had no interest in continuing my education or making more money to buy more "stuff". I had every thing I needed.

When I finally decided that I did want to further my education, all the annoying comments over the years meant a lot. I feel encouraged by the fact that others have encouraged me and believed I was capable of more even though I didn't want "more" at the time. Sooo....I think it's a compliment that people are encouraging you although I know how annoying it can be.

mammaoftwo · Mar 23, 2007

My aunt was an LPN for 25 years, never had a desire to become an RN - worked for the same facility for the entire 25 years until she retired. She was our states Nurse of the Year on year.

I was going back and forth between LPN and RN - what did I want to do. I have applied to the LPN Program for the Fall of 07 and am waiting to hear if I get in, right now I am taking some of the courses for the LPN program until I hear. I had thought, ok - if I don't get in, then I will go ahead with the pre-reqs for the RN program (already have 3 of them out of the way) but ---- I have decided I do not want to become and RN. I simply do not want that responsibility and stress that comes with that title. I'm not saying there is no stress being an LPN, I know there is - I hope you all understand what I am trying to say.

I have two young sons, ages 6 & 8 - both are ADHD and one is also bi-polar. I am a single 54 year old mom and I have my hands full with my kiddos - I want to be able to work a Baylor plan and still have days to be able to volunter at my boys school and do things with them.

If I get into the LPN program, I will finish up the end of 2008 - that is looking really good compared to ""IF"" I would get into the Fall 2008 RN Program, of not finishing up until the end of the 2010 Spring semester.

I would be very proud to become an LPN - I have a friend who is an RN and she has left the field - she has worked in the hospitals and says the backstabbing and morale is horrible - she does not plan on going back into it.

I wish everyone success in your journey in nursing - do what is right for you and yours - and know you can be proud of your accomplishment and your profession.

Blessings to all. :saint:

S.N. Visit, BSN, RN · Mar 24, 2007

I too would stay and be very happy with my LPN if I knew I had more job opportunity and security. In Iowa, I cannot work in occupational health as an LPN.

Leo2 · Mar 25, 2007

Ther is nothing wrong with being an LPN . I have been one for the last 21 yrs. I have never been without a job. You should do what is right for you. I have no regrets about being an LPN. Leo2

pagandeva2000, LPN · Mar 25, 2007

My aunt was an LPN for 25 years, never had a desire to become an RN - worked for the same facility for the entire 25 years until she retired. She was our states Nurse of the Year on year.
I was going back and forth between LPN and RN - what did I want to do. I have applied to the LPN Program for the Fall of 07 and am waiting to hear if I get in, right now I am taking some of the courses for the LPN program until I hear. I had thought, ok - if I don't get in, then I will go ahead with the pre-reqs for the RN program (already have 3 of them out of the way) but ---- I have decided I do not want to become and RN. I simply do not want that responsibility and stress that comes with that title. I'm not saying there is no stress being an LPN, I know there is - I hope you all understand what I am trying to say.
I have two young sons, ages 6 & 8 - both are ADHD and one is also bi-polar. I am a single 54 year old mom and I have my hands full with my kiddos - I want to be able to work a Baylor plan and still have days to be able to volunter at my boys school and do things with them.
If I get into the LPN program, I will finish up the end of 2008 - that is looking really good compared to ""IF"" I would get into the Fall 2008 RN Program, of not finishing up until the end of the 2010 Spring semester.
I would be very proud to become an LPN - I have a friend who is an RN and she has left the field - she has worked in the hospitals and says the backstabbing and morale is horrible - she does not plan on going back into it.
I wish everyone success in your journey in nursing - do what is right for you and yours - and know you can be proud of your accomplishment and your profession.
Blessings to all.

I know what you are trying to say. I have seen both ends of the spectrum. I've seen LPNs leave because of stress, backstabbing and morale as well. It can be particularly discerning when it is an RN that is not proficient at her job and feels challenged by an LPN that receives more praise, another LPN that wants to be the better nurse and the aides that wish they can just move up, period. It all depends on the person first, what is available and what they want out of life. Many RNs are very good at what they do; they are great leaders, delegators and examples of a real nurse. That is wonderful for them...again, it is simply not for me. There are some RNs that wish to remain at the associate degree level, others that want to go as far as they can. I just hope that they keep the heart of nursing alive and do it for the patients and the profession, not just to gain money and status. And those that do want to move up, do it for that, not to replace a need...because becoming a nurse on any level does not make you a better person inside. It is what comes out of it towards the patients, co-workers and the profession is really what matters.

catslave · Mar 27, 2007

I'm satisfied "just being an LPN" and have never desired more. I don't look down on those who "just want to be LNA's" who I consider my eyes, ears, hands and nose. Thank God for them! Those who hold higher degrees or aspire to go on for more - that's great too. People need to respect the fact that some of us have found our niche whether if just for now or forever. We are all cogs in a wheel and if one cog is missing, that wheel won't roll.

fayethlove · Mar 27, 2007

I am also I single mother of a almost two year old and haven't been in school since 1999. I started this year at a 4 year school to get my BSN, but I have decided that I will be happy with my LPN and will be hopefully going to a tech school in October. I too realized that the RN route is too much to take on right now and I need a good steady paycheck now. I may or may not go on to be RN.

You have to do what is right for you!! People will always found something negative to say in every little thing, sometimes I just want to say SHUT UP!!

Good luck

BigB · Mar 27, 2007

The bottom line is you have to do what is best for you! I started down the RN path taking 6 of my pre-requistites, then decided to go into a LVN program because I could get in quickly (people wait up to 4-5 years to get into RN programs here). I needed to get payed and didn't have that kind of time with a baby on the way. I am happy being an LVN but I do contemplate getting my RN one day. I also get asked "when will you get your RN?" It can be frustrating at time.

I work for the department of mental health and the RN here don't make much more than the LVN/MTA's. I have a better retirment then them, far less stress and responsiblity, and they make only a couple hundred more a month. Now, I do want my RN because it would open up far more opportunities in the future. LVN are slowly getting phased out / forced to work in only nursing homes, corrections, and psych. The problem many of us have is attending a RN program when we have kids and are the sole income provider as I am.

floridanurse65 · Mar 27, 2007

I've been a nurse for almost 12 years. I'm an RN now, but started my career as an LPN. I was a single parent and I needed to work as soon as possible. At the time I started school I was bringing home $187.50/week at my full-time job for a Cable TV company. While I was in school I took the CNA test and worked part-time at a hospital until I graduated. The money I made as an LPN was a lot better than both of those.

Money is the same reason I continued my education. I simply needed to make more money. My daughter got older and more expensive to raise. I've been that LPN who was referred to as "only an LPN" and I'm here to tell ya' that I wouldn't give back my LPN experience or training for anything. I went to school 7 hours a day, 5 days a week for a year. 2 days of classes and 3 days of clinicals. I had better skills as a GPN then any new RN that I've ever worked with and that is the truth. I have a friend who is "just an LPN" and she suffers a lot at the hands of her RN administrator who has a problem with LPN's or so it seems. Anyway.........My point is do what makes you happy and what you are capable of doing due to your life situation. Don't let them get to you when they start pushing the RN thing. I have actually found LPN's being utilized more in my area recently. The hospital I just accepted a position with has at least 10 open positions now in every area from Med-Surg to NICU. Yes, a lot of LPN's go the LTC route but these days you can do that if you want to not because you have to. I worked in Dialysis, LTC and Home Care as an LPN.

I'm a firm believer in furthering your education if it's possible. It's not for everyone and no LPN I work with will ever here from me that she/he is "just and LPN".

I agree with fayethlove above. It doesn't matter what your credentials are. Someone will always think you should do more. I have an Associates degree and I have had many people over the years ask me why I didn't get my BSN. But if I had a BSN they would probably wonder why I didn't get my MSN. I Don't care anymore. I'm a good nurse, period!!

Good luck to everyone in school.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Mar 28, 2007

I oriented an RN to the clinic today; she works for an agency. Not bragging, but my notes were better than the RN I work with, and I basically whiz though the teaching for the most part. The orientee had no idea that I was an LPN until there was an assessment piece that I was unable to do. She said "YOU are an LPN?? You were the best instructor I had". I was happy to hear that, until the rest of the day, while she was following me, she started essentially planning my future. "You need to go back and get your RN and really get paid...you should teach...etc". At first, it was complimentary, but eventually, she really got on my freaking nerves. I felt that way, because when I mentioned the stress that it seemed to involve, she said "Well, you'll get paid". I hated school, I hated the competitiveness, and I admit, part of why I do what I do is because I don't really have to. Once I have the total obligation to perform skills that I am really not interested in, such as the voluminous, repetitive documentation, triage, and the things that make the RNs literally cry, I would become really resentful. I can admit to that. It is hard to take as a compliment when a person simply does not see that people do think differently. A friend of mine told me that in most cases, being an LPN (in the eyes of most people) is a stepping stone, but not an entity of it's own...meaning that a career can be made out of it. Even in school, rather than speak about the opportunities available to the LPN (yes, it may not be the same as for the RN), but say " WHEN you all become RNs..." well...who is to say that each person that wants to become one actually makes it? It is hard to get into their program, and I don't want to waste time and energy trying to get into a program for a job that I clearly don't want. I love nursing, but hated nursing school with a passion. Why repeat an experience on a higher level when it makes me unhappy??? Well, to each their own...