LPN At A Crossroads ... Move On To RN Or Stay With LPN??

pinkiepinkPN · Dec 30, 2013

Hey y'all So I recently got my first LPN job (after applying for tons jobs for months, this was the only callback I got) at a methadone clinic...I'm only 4 days into it and I already feel like this isn't the place for me. I worked very hard to become a nurse so that I could better people's lives and so I could get to use my nursing skills. This job is accomplishing neither of these goals. All I do is sit behind the glass and pass methadone. Oh, and I answer the phone and send faxes . Anyway, I've always said that after LPN school I would be done with school forever, because, although I love nursing, I had a horrible experience with my school and I was completely burned out after I graduated. The thought of any more school made me want to just run as fast as I could in the opposite direction . But it's been a few months and I've kind of gotten over it. And now, to my utter astonishment, I find myself poking around looking for LPN to RN Bridge programs!! What is wrong with me?!! I guess the point of this post is that I wanted to ask if anyone out there has ever been in my shoes, and if so, what did you do?? I think it would be great to go to RN school, but at the same time...I kind of hate school with the fire of a thousand suns, and I'm sure I could make it through if I put my heart and soul into it, but RN school seems SO incredibly daunting and what if I'm just jumping the gun because my first job isn't perfect?? But at the same time, shouldn't I go for the degree that will get me the job that I really want (hospital/OR/ER nurse)?? Any and all advice/experience would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks guys!![/quote']
Do it. At least get your associates. I totally understand how you feel. PN school started out great for me but then I had an instructor second semester who was hellbent on writing me up for anything she could and told me I wouldn't graduate if she had anything to do with it. That whole second semester was a nightmare and even though my grades were good enough to land me on the deans list, my nerves were shot and my sanity was hanging on by a thread.
I too started off in a job that I felt was a waste if my education and training in a doctors office where all I did all day was vitals, shots, and endless faxes/phone messages/assorted secretarial duties. I quit to work in a nursing home and while it's challenging, I'm a lot happier. But I DO plan to go into the associates program next January at he very least. Whether I have the stamina to go on to the BSN program from there...well, I don't know.
I really think you would be better off if you did the same. There's not a thug wrong with staying an LPN if you find a job you're happy in, but you don't want to be a miserable LPN years from now feeling like it's too late to go back to school.

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Dec 30, 2013

Hey y'all So I recently got my first LPN job (after applying for tons jobs for months, this was the only callback I got) at a methadone clinic...I'm only 4 days into it and I already feel like this isn't the place for me. I worked very hard to become a nurse so that I could better people's lives and so I could get to use my nursing skills. This job is accomplishing neither of these goals. All I do is sit behind the glass and pass methadone. Oh, and I answer the phone and send faxes . Anyway, I've always said that after LPN school I would be done with school forever, because, although I love nursing, I had a horrible experience with my school and I was completely burned out after I graduated. The thought of any more school made me want to just run as fast as I could in the opposite direction . But it's been a few months and I've kind of gotten over it. And now, to my utter astonishment, I find myself poking around looking for LPN to RN Bridge programs!! What is wrong with me?!! I guess the point of this post is that I wanted to ask if anyone out there has ever been in my shoes, and if so, what did you do?? I think it would be great to go to RN school, but at the same time...I kind of hate school with the fire of a thousand suns, and I'm sure I could make it through if I put my heart and soul into it, but RN school seems SO incredibly daunting and what if I'm just jumping the gun because my first job isn't perfect?? But at the same time, shouldn't I go for the degree that will get me the job that I really want (hospital/OR/ER nurse)?? Any and all advice/experience would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks guys!![/quote']
OP, it would depend on what YOU really want to do.
I would research your area in terms of whether the "BSN preferred" is the game in town.
I also would like you to look at this job in a nursing POV and not so much as "this what I got" POV.
You are in a methadone clinic; you pass out methadone, yes, but I am sure you are doing an assessment on your patients; making sure there are no adverse reactions, talking to them if they are describing issues that may impair their progress, etc.; that's a HUGE part of nursing that we do.
Nursing, to me, is "healing management"; your interaction with your patients in the smallest amount can be a light in the lives; you never know the impact of what you do, and it can be further clouded when one is disillusioned in what they "should" be doing, fear or post-survival nursing blues; it kinda sours the building of what one want's in their career.
I had a teacher block me from receiving honors in my first block, to have her my LAST block-very insecure teacher and nurse; and was very limited in experience or knowing the curriculum we were taught, however I honed my practice and got honors AND passed....I knew there would be people out there like that, lesson learned help me be able to enjoy being a nurse this by remain objective and using that wonderful mental health communication.
This is your first job; I think it would best to learn the ropes as a nurse in this setting as I described above; you will learn how to do focused assessments, therapeutic communication, SBAR when you have to speak to the doctor; all important, transferable aspects that you need as Perioperative and/or ER nurse.
If you decide to go on to get your RN, I would go for the BSN; the writing is on the wall; if your research in your area and ADNs are sill getting jobs, there may be a chance that when you graduate, the standard will be for BSN only, and you will be in the same position; find out from the hospitals what they are requiring or looking for, and still go for the BSN.
As a LPN, I was able to work at a Rehab Hospital; clinics, Peds home health and Peds extended care facility; Orthopedic surgeon (Peds) office, LTC/Sub Acute, Medicare Chart reviews; what mad me return to school was finding out that I could not get certified in any specialty I worked in.
I went back to school after five years being an LPN; my prerequisites complete, an I had an associates at the time. I have been an RN for 18 months; I am currently a supervisor in a nursing home; I have gotten job offers in critical care; but want to hone my new practice...I still get job inquiries for rehab, as well as to return to the hospital.
Build your practice, and come up with a clear plan on what you will decide to do; give it a year before going back.
Best wishes.

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Dec 30, 2013

While it is your choice and not a requirement, begin casually pursuing a higher degree. I was an LPN for 24 years before the economy deemed that I go further. However, I had been taking a CLEP exam and a couple of classroom courses here and there over the years and when I finally made the decision to go for it, I didn't have much left to do.

As far as your feelings about school, I said the exact same thing! RN and that's it! Now, I'm 3 courses away from my BSN, with 2 of those 3 beginning in 7 days. So, I said 'BSN and that's it'! But the other day, I kinda had an out-of-body experience as I saw myself scrolling through a couple of MSN course curriculums. I couldn't believe it; I am really fighting that urge:madface:!!

But, until you decide on an ASN avenue or any other avenue, it doesn't hurt at all, and actually helps, to take a core course or exam here and there because those will be required in whatever you do that means returning to school. (Who knows? You might actually find a rewarding position as an LPN after gaining that one year of nursing experience). But be forewarned, doing it this way is how I came to be in an RN-BSN program. Not all credits that I had were accepted in transfer into the ASN program, though many of them were. But everything that was left did apply towards the BSN, and when all was said and done, I had so many credits that placed me close to BSN completion that I just couldn't let them go to waste. Good luck in your decision. Since it's your choice, you can't go wrong!

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 30, 2013

All I do is sit behind the glass and pass methadone.

After 8 years in nursing, a job at a methadone clinic would be a dream come true for me because I cannot stand bedside nursing or having to deal with the same patients for an entire 8 or 12 hour shift. But it's different strokes for different folks, I guess.

I have no regrets returning to school for an RN license. I earn twice as much money to do significantly less work than I did during my days as an LVN.

helllonurse · Jan 2, 2014

Wow, thanks for the input guys! I think I will continue my education while looking for a more rewarding LPN job in the meantime. Thanks so much!!