why look down on a lpn

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

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I have been in school going on 4 yrs started out wanting to get my BSN but intentionally I've haven't been accepted to a program the RN program is very competitive I understand so I feel as if I have wasted 2 years already so I choose to go the lpn route. I got accepted in the program and start this Summer. I am so excited, but tired of people saying why lpn why not RN? Its kind of getting frustrated but everybody path is different. I still plan to be a RN one day. I am just trying to get away from minimum wage and get experience in my field. My question is why are lpns downgraded is it just about pay we are all here to help our patients.

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Don't Listen to them. Heard that we are going to get some more responsibility. We do the same, just some things out of our scope. I have heard nurses say they would rather be by an LVN then some RNs that they work with. Don't Listen, probably easier to bridge, and you will get more behind your belt than those with no medical experience becoming RNs right out of school. that is my thought process.

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If you want to be an RN, but just can't get into a program at the moment because it's "too competitive", you obviously see the value of becoming an RN over and LVN. And if you've made it clear that you want to become an RN eventually, your nonlinear route may not make sense to the people around you. In short, they think the same way you do ....they just don't have all the facts.

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I have been in school going on 4 yrs started out wanting to get my BSN but intentionally I've haven't been accepted to a program the RN program is very competitive I understand so I feel as if I have wasted 2 years already so I choose to go the lpn route. I got accepted in the program and start this summer. I am so excited but tired of people saying why lpn why not RN? Its kind of getting frustrated but everybody path is different. I still plan to be a RN one day. I am just trying to get away from minimum wage and get experience in my field. My question is why are lpns downgraded is it just about pay we are all here to help our patients.[/quote']

I feel the exact way you do, I have been in school for a year and a half, didn't make the cut this time, I'm a 25 year old male and I am married. I started feeling like time was just passing me by. I'm currently a CNA making sub$11/hour pay and I need something more in my life than that. Of course there are going to be things that RN's can do that LPN's can't, that's to be expected, you go to school longer. But don't knock the fact that someone just wants to better their life instead of standing still in the same spot for another year or so when they can become an LPN start making $18 to $20 an hour and being that much closer to their dreams and foams of being an RN. And also, there are tremendous value in LPN's in a lot of LTC and even hospitals and doctors offices. In fact the way the economy is right now, they would much rather pay an LPN $18 /hour to do the same thing an RN does in LTC and most of what an RN does in hospitals instead of paying an RN. $25+/ hour to do the same thing. Don't ever let anyone doubt you route, the key is getting there and if that is the best way for you to go, than you do that. I've felt like you do for about 5 months since I found out that I got in, and I've just came to realize is that you need to do what's best for you and your situation and let everyone's negativity go in one ear and out the other. Because when you start the program there will be no room for distraction. And I don't like rambling but, Those same RN's that look down on LPN's are the ones that think that LPN's aren't real nurses. That's the farthest from the truth. We do most of the things that they do, and just because we have to work under them doesn't mean we are "real" nurses. I will be the first one to say that I would have rather just got my RN first and went straight through with it. Life throws you curve balls so you have to take the next pitch. Good luck, you will do great.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I am so excited, but tired of people saying why lpn why not RN?
Perhaps it is time to stop broadcasting your steps to these people. You can serve as your own support system during this educational venture. Good luck to you!
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Specializes in Emergency Department.

I have to congratulate you, OP, for figuring out what your educational path will be. Some people don't come to realize that they weren't quite ready or they don't realize that getting into an RN program through the LVN route might actually be faster. You'll never hear of me denigrating an LVN. To me, they're nurses that just have a different scope of practice than I will have as an RN.

As a Paramedic, I have to supervise my EMT partners. I don't denigrate them at all. Yes, their education and scope of practice is less than mine, but that doesn't mean that I can't learn from them and it doesn't mean that they're not a necessary part of the team. I tend to delegate a LOT of things to them so that I can focus on other things. I see LVNs in much the same way. They're very capable and the experienced ones are people I can learn from. Just because I'll be an RN doesn't mean that I'll be an expert at whatever, even though I'll technically have the "higher license" than the LVN does. I learn things from the CNAs that I'm on the floor with because they're the experts at what they do!

Anyway, the point is that even though you've decided to become an LVN first, don't let other people drag you down for it. They don't know what steps you went through to reach your decision and they probably really don't realize that if you get a job as an LVN, you'll have a better grasp of nursing once you decide to complete your education as an RN. I say that part only because you've identified that as an ultimate goal.

Keep your head on straight, your goals in sight, and press on. You'll get there... maybe faster than some other people you know!

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Specializes in Med/ Surg/ Telemetry, Public Health.

Everyone starts at different levels. I am currently in a ADN program and people will say to me so why didn't you do the BSN. It doesn't matter what people think as long as we know what we want to accomplish in the future, then that is all that matters. Go at your own pace and you will get to where you want to be. I always tell myself yes I am in the race to become a nursing but I will get to the finish line in my time and God's time. Keep your head up and be proud to be starting a nursing program because as we know schools go through hundreds of applications and if they chose you then take the opportunity to make your dreams come true.

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I am just like you. I started out going for my RN and when time to apply came around I did not even apply for the LPN program. I was in some classes I needed so I did not get accepted. I had to make the decision to wait a whole year and possibly risk not making the cut for the RN program the second time, or going into the LPN program in January. I chose the LPN program and I do not regret it one bit. When I graduate I plan to work and then go back for my RN a year later. Out of all the people I know, my dad has been the least supportive, because he feels like I should go the RN route. However, he isn't paying for my school, and in the end I will graduate debt free. Sometimes you just have to nicely tell people if they are not directly writing you a check, then mind their own business.

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Specializes in Emergency and Critical Care.

I am a director of a practical nurse/nurse aide program at a community college. I started out as an LPN, and it took me 10 years to get my ADN, then 20+ years after that to get my BSN, and then my MSN in education. The choices you must make are based on you and your family and financial needs. It does not make you less of a nurse or less of a human being. Sometimes life takes a turn in which you must turn with it. Being able to work and make a living, obtain experience then return to school to advance your career is up to you and your desires. No matter what level you are, nursing is lifelong learning. The skills you will become experts in as LPN/LVN will help you enter your RN program with confidence and the ability to spend more time studying didactic, and critical thinking while the others are still learning their skills. Be proud of yourself and go forth and concur. I am proud of you, that you have thought about this route clearly and know what your ultimate goal is. Have fun learning, nursing and healthcare is a wonderful career and profession. You have no reason to explain your decision to anyone except for yourself. Believe me when I say, it does not matter what degree you have there will always be those above you who think they are better, and I question the integrity of those who behave that way.

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I am currently enrolled into a LPN program and absolutely LOVE IT!!

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Specializes in Emergency and Critical Care.

I am very happy for you. Go forth and concur

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Thanks everyone for the advice and motivation my mind is made up and I'm getting ready for my new journey. Good luck to everyone on your path you choose to take.

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