Is this what I'm always going to deal with?

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Specializes in Allergy/Immunology.

I guess I just need to vent. I was at a party this past weekend and there were a few people from HS there. We have all been out 20 years now, so we were catching up. I was asked what I'm doing now and told them that I have been a stay at home mom for 9 years now and I'm really excited and ready to start the next part of my life in September. Nursing School! :yeah:

"Oh that's great! Are you going for your RN?" asked a girl who I later found out was an RN and the other girl with her was also in the medical field, but I can't remember what it was she said she did. We had a couple drinks lol.

So I reply "No, I'm going for my LPN. Two year program, I'll be going at night so I can be with my kids during the day. I'm so excited!"

:eek: pretty much sums up their reaction. I heard things like "OMG why? Why not just get your BSN?" "You're not going to make good money." (considering I make nothing now as a SAHM, anything is an improvement at this point) "I still think you're making a mistake, you'll want to be an RN." "It's not too late to switch." etc.,

No, I really do want to be a LPN. Is that so unbelieveable? I was pretty much made to feel like I said my goal was to clean toilets in a prison. So anyway, I guess I just need to toughen up when I hear remarks like that. Is that normal? Will I always have to explain myself? And most of all, will it be like this when I'm looking for work? And if/when I do find a job, will I always be made to feel that way from other nurses, etc., :(

I'm really looking forward to the huge challenge I'm about to face. And I'm scared to death. I hope that's normal. Anyway, thank you for listening.

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I always hate when people make you feel like you have to justify your own decisions. I think its great you are going to NS!

I don't know what your future plans are on where you'd like to see yourself working. I know at the hospital near my home they do not hire LPNs. Around my area you would see work in LTC, which I love working with older people.

I'm sure you factored in everything and made the decision that's best for you. If you are happy, then it shouldn't matter what other people think! Smile and move on :)

Good luck in the fall!

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Specializes in Allergy/Immunology.

Thank you so much :)

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Their reactions may be stemming from the knowledge that it's difficult for LPNs to find work in your area (no hospitals in my area hire LPNs, for instance, there's ONLY nursing home work). Perhaps they were only thinking that you'd not be satisfied with the LPN and have to 'backtrack' in a sense to work toward the RN license...?

If you're happy with your choice, it doesn't matter what the others think. Stay excited about schooling, do your best, and make yourself happy :)

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Specializes in ER/ICU.

Congrats on going back to school! Try not to let others negative opinions get to you. I know it's hard, but if you're happy with what you're doing, then go for it and ignore those who have a difference of opinion. I know quite a few LPNs who love their jobs and they all had reasons for going for their LPN rather than RN. Some do eventually go back and get their RN too, but I haven't met a single LPN who has had a negative experience in school. Many of them say that LPN programs better prepare you for clinical skills because most programs tend to require more clinical hours than most RN programs. My brother and his fiance are both in LPN school now. And they're happy. That's really all that matters. I have a similar problem in that I'm a paramedic who will be headed to nursing school this fall. Most of my coworkers can't understand why I would want to do that. I am personally tired of working so many hours at a time and being away from my family so much. My heart isn't in it anymore and I'm very much ready for a change. I'm thrilled about nursing school. And once again, congrats! It's tough going back to school again but you sound like you're ready for it. ;-)

Christina

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Specializes in Med/ Surg/ Telemetry, Public Health.

It doesn't matter if you are going for LPN people are going to say why not ADN, and if you are pursuing ADN people will say why not BSN. I say ignore what others think and do what is best for you. Good luck on your nursing journey.

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Specializes in hospice, HH, LTC, ER,OR.

Yes, 3 years later I am still defending my choice of becoming an LPN. I wanted to try out nursing first before I decided to go straight through. People dont seem to understand what we do ( which is not that much different from an RN) is important. Once I become an RN I wonder if I will have to defend that with why didnt I become a doctor? Good luck to you and stay positive when things get tough.. HUGS :)!

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

Yes, I do think that is how it'll always be. So many people use the LPN role as a stepping stone to RN, I think people forget it's a viable career option in its own right.

There's also the concern that hospitals have moved away from hiring LPNs, and hospitals are seen as the Emerald City for nurses, when the fact is, many people WANT to work in physicians offices, rehab faculties, and nursing homes. My mother in law became an LVN halfway through nursing school and started working at a nursing home. She struggled through her final year and graduated...and still works the same job. She did get a raise from $22/hr to $28/hr and works under her new title, but she doesn't feel the extra time away from her kids and endless stress front that extra year was worth the extra money in retrospect...at least not right now.

Anyway, haters gonna hate. As long as you're on a path you're happy with, smile and carry on :)

Yes, 3 years later I am still defending my choice of becoming an LPN. I wanted to try out nursing first before I decided to go straight through. People dont seem to understand what we do ( which is not that much different from an RN) is important. Once I become an RN I wonder if I will have to defend that with why didnt I become a doctor? Good luck to you and stay positive when things get tough.. HUGS :)!

I have to defend myself to my family about that ALL THE TIME. I'm not an MD because I don't want to be an MD. I don't want the educational time commitment, the career time commitment, or the 10 seconds per patient visit time. I love my husband, I love my kids, and I love traveling, and for me that means I love my free time.

Why is that so complicated for people to grasp?

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Specializes in Allergy/Immunology.

Thank you :) I suppose that's what they could be thinking. I did mention my dream job, which is in a particular doctors office, and they hire LPN's. But they still seemed to think I was making a mistake.

I appreciate the encouragement here!

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Specializes in Allergy/Immunology.

Thanks and best of luck to you too!!

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Specializes in Allergy/Immunology.
It doesn't matter if you are going for LPN people are going to say why not ADN, and if you are pursuing ADN people will say why not BSN. I say ignore what others think and do what is best for you. Good luck on your nursing journey.

I think you're absolutely correct. :nurse:

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Specializes in Allergy/Immunology.
Yes, 3 years later I am still defending my choice of becoming an LPN. I wanted to try out nursing first before I decided to go straight through. People dont seem to understand what we do ( which is not that much different from an RN) is important. Once I become an RN I wonder if I will have to defend that with why didnt I become a doctor? Good luck to you and stay positive when things get tough.. HUGS :)!

Thank you, I love hearing from people who have been through it. It's definitely a common core of experience thing, and it's hard to talk about it to people who don't understand.

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