I need an LPNs advice....

Nenee · Dec 5, 2008

I think that doing LPN first is a great idea. Im currently an LVN (that's what they call us in California) student, graduating in two weeks. When I was 22, I got accepted into an RN program, but I flunked out of the program because I didn't pass the math test. When I think back, I was not ready for the RN program. I was young and didn't really understand and grasp what nursing really was about. Now, 6 years later, I am finishing up my LVn and I am glad that I decided to do LVN instead of RN again. As an LPN student, you basically learn everything and RN student does. Once you start working as an LPN, you can work and get money while your in school for your RN. Another plus of doing LPN first is what you had mentioned..you get to see if Nursing is really what you wanna do. Also, if you do decide to get your RN, once you start working as an RN, you will feel very comfortable in the field. A lot of times, young students in RN programs, once they start working are horrified and quit nursing all together. There are a lof of online programs popping up (that are accredited) that offer LPN-BSN programs. A great one called Indiana University offers that. What I think is better about the online programs as far as clinicals, is that you get to shadow an RN, opposed to being in a group of students, with one teacher. The learning is more independent, and seems like it would be a lot more comfortable than having a teacher scarfing down your neck. You really have to think what is best for you. You are still young and have nothing but time.

captain1966 · Dec 7, 2008

I wondered the same thing RN or LPN. I decided to get my LPN first then get a job in a hospital. Many hospitals have tution rembursement program. The hospital I work at pays 60% of tution and books.

I have even found programs that are LPN to BSN, and as soon as I feel I have enough experience I will continue on to get, at least, my RN and the hospital will be paying me to do it.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2008

Well, I became an LPN first, by accident. I didn't realize my program was the two-step deal. I got accepted to the RN year but hated nursing school so I finished up via Excelsior.

If you have the means consider a private school. I would try to go straight to RN. Opportunities and pay for LPN's are quite limited.

amjowens · Dec 7, 2008

I just had my LPN pinning ceremony yesterday. I had applied for both a RN and LPN program at my CC, and had one less semester wait for the LPN. I accepted both, but deferred my acceptance by a semester for the RN. So, I begin the ADN in January.

I'm so thankful for my PN school experience. I want to eventually be a NP, and don't have health care experience. Also, I'd like to earn money while going to school. So, I'll be gaining valuable experience, working my way up with each degree, earning enough money to live reasonably, and not get into debt with tuition as I go. Best of all, I feel well prepared to hit the floor, as PN school really does teach the more practical side of nursing. I think this is so valuable-to master the basics-before going on into more specialized areas as are open to RNs/MSNs.

The downside-for the moment, I'll likely have LTC as my opportunity in my area. I'll still be earning a pretty good salary, and lots of nursing experience.

With the wait lists for RN programs, I think a lot of people are finding LPN programs to be gifts in disguise, as it really opens doors-both the RN non-traditional programs and for financial reasons. In nursing, you'll find a lot of RNs don't give LPNs the respect or credit they deserve. This is just helping me to see how I DON'T want to be when I'm in an RN, though, so in a way, it's been good for me. Check out the opportunities for LPNs in your area, as LPN opportunities go in cycles in different parts of the country.

sparketteinok · Dec 9, 2008

Pros: shorter time in school (mine was self-paced, finished in 16 months), more prepared (skillwise) fresh out of school than new RNs (in my opinion and experience), the ability to have less time and $ invested in school if you find out it's what you DON"T want to do, many bridge programs available, etc.

Cons: 1) you get paid MUCH less money to do the SAME job as RN (the only things I can't do are spike blood and access a port) (which, btw, the RN will spike and then leave me to monitor, or access and then leave me to infuse whatever)

2) not always, but generally the rule, you are 95% of the time looked as much less competent and more of an idiot because you are a "little pretend nurse" instead of a "real nurse"

3) in my experience, no matter how great your RN peers are that you work with everyday, there is still the "well, you're just an LPN" stigma

Bottom line: if you're willing to do the same work for less pay and continually be looked down upon, then a try it on and see if it fits LPN job may be for you.

As for me, in my life situation, it made the most sense to get LPN, then go back for LPN-BSN, then I eventually want to do NP, because of financial, family, and sanity reasons. This is a second career for me. I'm glad I did it. However, if I were young and just starting out, I absolutely would go for BSN all the way. There's just more respect all around. And no matter how hard you work or how good you are, it all comes down to if you have 2 or 3 letters behind your name.

nurselsteele · Dec 9, 2008

Personally! I think that every nurse should work from the "ground up" be a medical assistant first, than an LPN, than an RN if you so desire.

Getting your "feet wet" so to speak is the best way to work into medicine!

I think that has made me a better nurse all around!

mama_d, BSN, RN · Dec 9, 2008

I wish that I had had the time and money to go the RN route from the get-go...but being a LPN is better than not being a nurse at all. I'm back in school for my RN now. Opportunities are more limited for LPNs, and it's true that a lot of people look down on you as a less competent nurse. If I had a dollar for every time someone referred to "nurse" and "LPN" seperately in a statement (as in, "all the nurses and LPNs have to do this inservice) I could pay my electric bill with it.

momtojosh · Dec 10, 2008

Bottom line: if you're willing to do the same work for less pay and continually be looked down upon, then a try it on and see if it fits LPN job may be for you.

how sad a statement is that........no not that i am sad...but why would anyone say that......i REFUSE to be belittled by anyone........so what if i dont have as much education as the RN.....i do my job and i do it to the best of my ability....just as an RN would do.....do you people bow to these RNs that you speak of......why would anyone think they are better than anyone else...and why would a person except they are beneath anyone else....come on....grow some and hold your heads up high...........no one is better than anyone....no matter how far they have gone in their schooling........anyone who thinks that way is of no interest to me.....that is why i am the most reguested LPN at my place.........i have compasion and i can relate to anyone....i treat EVERYONE the same...UNLESS they think they are better......cant stand people like that........no use for them.....

so...be proud........but if one goes on to RN school.......be proud still but remember who you are and where you came from......

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Dec 10, 2008

Bottom line: if you're willing to do the same work for less pay and continually be looked down upon, then a try it on and see if it fits LPN job may be for you.

In no way did I see this post as believing that it should be this way. But face it, it is. And it's wrong.

I got infuriated as an LPN when I would see ads recruting "nurses and LPN's," references to "nurses and LPN's," yada yada yada. I still do, having been an RN for a big week and a half now.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Dec 10, 2008

it does never cease to amaze me when people say "the nurses and the lpns...". call us both by our licensed titles, for god's sake...lpns and rns. or just nurses, because we all are. that does tend to rile my funny bone.

otherwise, what they think doesn't matter, really. most times, the same rns that give others below them a difficult time are ones that are mistreated themselves.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Dec 10, 2008

Bottom line: if you're willing to do the same work for less pay and continually be looked down upon, then a try it on and see if it fits LPN job may be for you.
how sad a statement is that........no not that i am sad...but why would anyone say that......i REFUSE to be belittled by anyone........so what if i dont have as much education as the RN.....i do my job and i do it to the best of my ability....just as an RN would do.....do you people bow to these RNs that you speak of......why would anyone think they are better than anyone else...and why would a person except they are beneath anyone else....come on....grow some and hold your heads up high...........no one is better than anyone....no matter how far they have gone in their schooling........anyone who thinks that way is of no interest to me.....that is why i am the most reguested LPN at my place.........i have compasion and i can relate to anyone....i treat EVERYONE the same...UNLESS they think they are better......cant stand people like that........no use for them.....
so...be proud........but if one goes on to RN school.......be proud still but remember who you are and where you came from......

The main thing that disturbs me with statements like this is that it seems that people are allowing someone else to place value on them. I see no issues with wanting to move up the ladder, may it be RN, BSN, physician, etc...but, to attribute this to people placing value and respect on you is a bit much, in my humble opinion. I say this because the grass is usually greener on the other side and once people reach there, I see them then saying (again)..."This is IT??" I am not saying that people should not move up...far from it. But, if it is done, do it for your own personal reasons and gain, not for someone else's, because no one can please everyone.