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

mom_coach_nurse, LPN · Jul 10, 2012

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

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?

That sounds exactly like me! Thank you :)

AmyinNC05 · Jul 10, 2012

I've been through the same thing, and I get tired of having to sound like a broken record. I start LPN school this fall, and I'm happy I'm going (something I wanted to do years ago now). I do plan to get my RN degree later, but this is where I'm at now.

It's your life, your choice, and you do what makes YOU happy. Forget the negativity. You know what you want and you're willing to fight for it.

shayla.marie28 · Jul 10, 2012

Every day. I am an LPN, that's what I want to be. I LOVE LTC. I don't exactly love the typical staffing, patio ratio, drama issues that come along with it but they would be there even if I were to return to get my RN. Maybe I will, maybe I won't. Until then I am more than happy with my life right now and those three little letters after my name. I worked hard to get where I am and I have just recently realized that it will never be enough to please everyone but it is enough to please me and that is all that matters at the end of the day. :) Good luck to you and btw my local hospital DOES employ LPNs so those type of jobs do exist in some places. :) Good luck to you and congrats on starting a new chapter of your life!

missourinurse · Jul 10, 2012

I'm a single mom, and have also had to defend my LPN decision. I work 8-5 M-F. Let someone else work 12's and holidays. I love working with the MAs in our clinic. Do whatever is best for you. You are the one who will be living your life, not them.

dianne777RN · Jul 10, 2012

Dont worry what others think or say, you do what you feel is right for you. I commend you for raising your children and going onto your education. That is very hard to do! Best of luck to you!!

mom_coach_nurse, LPN · Jul 10, 2012

Every day. I am an LPN, that's what I want to be. I LOVE LTC. I am more than happy with my life right now and those three little letters after my name. I worked hard to get where I am and I have just recently realized that it will never be enough to please everyone but it is enough to please me and that is all that matters at the end of the day. :) Good luck to you and btw my local hospital DOES employ LPNs so those type of jobs do exist in some places. :) Good luck to you and congrats on starting a new chapter of your life!

Thank you, love your outlook!

mom_coach_nurse, LPN · Jul 10, 2012

Dont worry what others think or say, you do what you feel is right for you. I commend you for raising your children and going onto your education. That is very hard to do! Best of luck to you!!

Thanks so much! :)

taramade · Jul 10, 2012

I know what you mean. I'm applying for an lpn program that starts in January. You have to write an essay and have an interview before you will be accepted. They only pick who they want to be in the program. I am super nervous and excited to apply and pray that I get in. I would be so proud of myself to get through the program and finally be an LPN. Yet, there are still people out there who make it seem pointless to go this route and make me feel like I shouldn't even be proud of becoming an lpn. Like, it doesn't even count unless it's rn. The biggest insult is when a friend of mine who is becoming a medical assistant told me her instructor told the class "Don't go to LPN school, it is a waste of time. You can do everything an LPN does as a MA." Oh my gosh I started LOL. Really??? Do people actually believe that crap? I don't care what anyone says anymore, I am proud to be going to school to become a licensed NURSE and one day hope to bridge to RN. But, until then LPN is just fine with me...

taramade · Jul 10, 2012

By the way, in my area LPN's are much needed in hospitals, dr. office's, nursing homes, and home health. I know many lpn's that work in hospitals around here. Just because your a licensed nurse doesn't mean your destined to only work at nursing homes.... There are many options.

Tinboot · Jul 10, 2012

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!
"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!"
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.

Sorry to hear about this reaction. The thing is LPN will be good for your schedule for now. Later on if you want to finish up your RN, it should be easy to find an LPN to RN program that you can allow you to continue to work. If you decide to keep your LPN and not advance then thats fine as well. I finish up my RN program in December. My wife is going to school starting in 2014 for her RN but we nearly took the LPN route for her so she could continue to work. Just whatever makes you happy and fits your life goals. Im sure your friends meant well but people are so quick to tell you how to fix something that you dont feel is broken. Keep your chin up

aeklein · Jul 10, 2012

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!
"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!"
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.

I recently became an RN after working as an LPN for a year (I also went back to school 20 years after high school). I loved working as an LPN!!! But I know what you mean about the remarks - I worked in an Urgent Care, and one day I had a young patient that was about 9 years old, and she looked at the letters "LPN" on my name tag and said, "Oh, you are and LPN - that means LOW PAID NURSE!" I was in shear horror that a child would say something like that!!! Turns out her mother is an RN, so gee, I wonder where she got it from. I think some RN's are just going to be that way - and if they are, they aren't worth wasting your energy on. Where I live there are LOTS of jobs for LPN's - Urgent Care's, clinics, doctor offices, long term care, and even the hospitals around me hire LPN's. The hospital I work at now does - and the one LPN that I know well says that she loves what she does and would NEVER want to be an RN. Don't let what people say get you down - you are making a great decision and congrats to you! Good Luck!!!

realnursealso/LPN, LPN · Jul 10, 2012

Welcome to the world of nursing. No one can make you feel degraded unless you let them. No one can understand your life and choices, only you. I can assure you that you are choosing a wonderful career. There is no one with a big book somewhere asking for your name and checking what you have decided to become. The next time someone mades a stupid comment like that,ask them what they do. Then tell them well I am going to be a nurse, and I'll check back with you in 2 years and see what you have accomplished! You are going to be a nurse, a Realnurse!