Is this the right decision?

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

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So, I was in the RN program and didn't pass my last semester. The Dean at my school suggested becoming an LPN while waiting to get back into fourth semester. It looks like I probably won't get in until Fall 2007 and even that is questionable. The Dean was willing to help me fill out all the paperwork and after that I can take the NCLEX-PN.

I thought that instead of feeling sorry for myself this would keep my foot in the door and help me practice certain skills I've acquired.

I live in Northern California and wonder what the salaries are here and whether I'll be in a LTC facility or if there is a chance I can work in the hospitals?

Is it a wise move for me to be an LVN while I'm waiting to be an RN? Am I taking a step back or forwards?

Thanks for your advice.

Dijmart has no idea of what we LPNs do to make such a statement.

WOW, I didn't realize I made THAT big of a statement???:chair:

My point was/is that I have been in school now 3 yrs. for my R.N. (pre-reqs & nursing classes) I have one semester to go and am TOTALLY burned out, fried, toasted, spent!!:banghead:

If I failed just one class and then had to spend a year doing an LPN class (MORE BURN OUT) while I waited to get back in to finish my R.N. I think I'd :barf01:

So, NO I wasn't discrediting LPN's or what they do at all?.....& I was rather floored when I saw the two posts that were deplicting me as an LPN HATER or something???? Sorry, but you got me all wrong.....I'm tired of going to school that's why I'd rather wait for an opening instead of going to LPN school....NO OTHER REASON!

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Hi all, I am new to this forum. I noticed someone wrote "LPN stands for low paid nurses". Well, to add to this RN's are "registered nuts". Anyways, I was in the RN program and flunked out. I took my LPN exam and I already have a job waiting for me. The only thing is I did not pass the NCLEX exam. Any advice?

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Hi all, I am new to this forum. I noticed someone wrote "LPN stands for low paid nurses". Well, to add to this RN's are "registered nuts". Anyways, I was in the RN program and flunked out. I took my LPN exam and I already have a job waiting for me. The only thing is I did not pass the NCLEX exam. Any advice?

Are you saying that you didn't pass the NCLEX-PN? What you may have to do is contact the job and state this and ask what you should do at this point...if the job waiting for you is to be an LPN and you didn't pass NCLEX, they may not be able to hire you. Or, you may consider working with a permit. Only thing about that is the job will be notified of your NCLEX results, positive or negative. Also, consider asking if they can hire you in another position. I am sorry to hear that you are in this dilemma at this time. Hope things look up and that you can pass the second time.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
WOW, I didn't realize I made THAT big of a statement???:chair:

My point was/is that I have been in school now 3 yrs. for my R.N. (pre-reqs & nursing classes) I have one semester to go and am TOTALLY burned out, fried, toasted, spent!!:banghead:

If I failed just one class and then had to spend a year doing an LPN class (MORE BURN OUT) while I waited to get back in to finish my R.N. I think I'd :barf01:

So, NO I wasn't discrediting LPN's or what they do at all?.....& I was rather floored when I saw the two posts that were deplicting me as an LPN HATER or something???? Sorry, but you got me all wrong.....I'm tired of going to school that's why I'd rather wait for an opening instead of going to LPN school....NO OTHER REASON!

I had to re-read the original post again and I interpeted the poster as saying that she may have an opportunity to submit paperwork in order to take NCLEX-PN...it didn't seem to me that she had to take another course. What usually happens is that if a student has reached a certain point in their nursing course, (usually by Peds and Women's Health), they may fit the criteria needed to sit for NCLEX-PN. All she may have to do is study for that exam, not take another course.

Your comment did seem to be a bit derogatory towards LPNs, but, now now that you explained yourself, it is clearer that there may have been a misunderstanding. I can understand your frustration and burn out from school, though...I really hated it.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Preaching to the choir, I also have no inclination to go further. Yes, the paycheque would be nice but at my age there are loads of things I'd rather spend my time, energy, and financial resources on.! Like my getting my kids through uni, heading to Mexico when it gets cold, reading trash not textbooks!

I can certainly identify with your statement...you worded it just the way that I feel...there are more things that I would rather do with my time, effort and energy than to compete with nursing students all over again, fret over exams and the dreaded NCLEX and then orientation as a new grad nurse...it sounds strange to say, that it is not worth my time!!! And, I also have my trash books at my bedside and am gossiping on the phone. I have my weekend home case where I am making the money I want and since it is only one patient, I can give my full attention and care. I don't need the stress of the RN. I want to work closely with them, but I don't envy them...each day I go in and see how stressed out the RNs are, I am even more firm in my belief that I made the right choice FOR ME.

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I had to re-read the original post again and I interpeted the poster as saying that she may have an opportunity to submit paperwork in order to take NCLEX-PN...it didn't seem to me that she had to take another course. What usually happens is that if a student has reached a certain point in their nursing course, (usually by Peds and Women's Health), they may fit the criteria needed to sit for NCLEX-PN. All she may have to do is study for that exam, not take another course.

Your comment did seem to be a bit derogatory towards LPNs, but, now now that you explained yourself, it is clearer that there may have been a misunderstanding. I can understand your frustration and burn out from school, though...I really hated it.

MY BAD:lol_hitti

.....Yep, I misread the original post & thought she was going to lpn school while waiting...OOPS...SORRY!

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Hi,

Just wanted to let you know that while I was in school to be an RN, a classmate of mine went to take the NCLEX-PN exam on our winter break. We had one semester left, and he wanted to earn extra money and gain the experience before we graduated. If you have one semester left, you should be qualified to sit for your NCLEX-PN. All you have to do is register, buy the book, study, and take the test. Then you can work and gain experience until you are accepted into the program again. Sounds like you are getting your Associate's because my school was the same. If you failed a semester, you have to wait a year to get back into the program.

Hope that helps....:)

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I am an LVN an just finished RN school yesterday. I would just wait until you can get into finish your 4th semester. By the time you go to LVN school and do all of that, you could have been done with your RN. Don't bother. Besides, a lot of hospitals in CA don't hire LVNs any more. At least I find this true in OC.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, Peds, LDRP.

I know how you feel....Im getting ready to go back to school to finish my RN. I thought Id be really excited but Im actually dreading it. I was just starting to have a normal life (I graduated LPN school September 05 and have been taking pre reqs up until Aug 06). It has been rather enjoyable not having to worry about studying, clinicals, lack of sleep, etc, etc, etc. for the past few months. But I realized that like many LPNs, if I dont go back now, I may never go back, or 10 or 15 years down the road Ill be kicking myself for not going back for my RN.

Basically it comes down to income potential to me. Even if I dont want to work in the hospital, I could still stay in home health and make more as an RN. You have the same basic responsibilities, its just a matter of an extra year of school to get your RN. I havent met an LPN who bridged over who has said anything different. They have all told me they didnt learn anything new. I believe it because in my NCLEX PN review class, there were RN students in there are well, and the NCLEX PN and NCLEX RN review books were identical, word for word, page for page, question for question, except the NCLEX RN had a section on delegation. We were all taught the same exact material that we were expected to know to pass the NCLEX.

I strongly encourage you to sit for the LPN boards (you could still work home health), and after a small break Ill bet u will be ready to finish your last semester in RN school. You have come too far to turn back now! You are on the final stretch. And even if you decide not to continue, after coming thi far you should at least have something to show for it (by getting your LPN). Good luck to you and keep us posted.

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Up here in Canada, you have to be a graduate of a PN programme to be able to write the national exam.

If you are still in the RN programme, the hospitals will hire you as an Accredited Care Worker or an Enrolled Nursing Student or some such title and allow you to work in a role such as a LPN.

We're not happy about it. They have no license and we still haven't figured out whose insurance covers them...

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