is being an lpn so bad???

Jules A, MSN · Jun 29, 2008

There is nothing at all wrong with remaining a LPN. It sounds like you know the different opportunities and pay scale in your area so I would say definitely pursue your LPN license. We can always use more good nurses!

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jun 29, 2008

hello all!!!! i'm new to the board though i've been lurking for some time!!!! i live in nj and i am starting a 12 month program in august (may i add i'm a single mother) i'm aware of the "limited" jobs for lpns in hospitals but i really don't care to work in them, i'm leaning towards ltc/assisting living or correctional nursing, i've seen my mother make a decent living as an lpn and i have done my research on the starting salary in my area (about 18-23 dollars an hour) my question is i really don't have the intention to be an RN or work hospitals if i do go back to school i will mostly do dental hygenist or radation thep., but i think i will be quite happy as an lpn, the problem is when i tell people i'm just planning to stay an LPN the look at me like i'm crazy, is being a "career" lpn so bad?????

I just got off one of my rants on a previous thread on the LPN forum. If you know what you want, don't let others change you. But, keep in mind that you also have the right to change your mind to become an RN if you choose at a later date. For those that wish to go on, there are more opportunities to do so, with Excelsior and bridge programs.

If people wish to believe that LPNs are not 'nurse enough' or are substandard nurses, that is fine with me. My only issue is that I don't accept people saying it to my face because I didn't ask what they thought and I can't live for them. I also feel the same, if I did return to school, it would be for something else outside of nursing. I have thought of physical therapy assistant or health educator occasionally. But, I hated school so badly, I can't see that, either, really.

Nurses (and other professions) needle each other all the time about educational accomplishments. Just the other day, two RNs just earned their Master Degrees. I was so happy for them because they worked really hard at it. Now, the BSNs are not speaking to them, or making their lives difficult. Now, how horrible is that?? If they wished to promote themselves, then, do what they did, but don't take it out on them because now, it seems they have an 'edge' over the rest of us, for crying out loud! Do what is right for you, and if you wish to change the tables, feel free to do that too! You live to make yourself happy. And, congrats for being accepted! :yeah:

Super Nurf · Jun 30, 2008

You go girl! I get SO tired of hearing "don't you want to be an RN?". You know, if I truly wanted to be an RN that bad, I would be an RN. I really enjoy being an LPN, I am damn good at what I do and I like it. What more could you ask? I do know there are a heck of a lot of RNs out there that are wistfully thinking they should be LPNs, a great number of them have expressed this to me. I don't know where the general idea comes from that an LPN is a lesser person. I suspect it comes from some RNs who need to build themselves up. I don't see it as a competition, I do my job, they do theirs, we work together. I help them when I can, they help me when they can and we all get along. This is the ideal.

The bottom line--- do what you want. Don't let anyone tell you what you should be doing. Good Luck!!!

Irish Nurse 89 · Jul 1, 2008

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being an LPN if that is what you really want to do. I'm doing exactly what I want to do at this point in my life, and there isn't a thing that anyone could say or do that would change that.

LPN's are "real" nurses! If we weren't, we wouldn't have been allowed to take "nursing" boards in the first place.

da_hood_model, if being an LPN is something that you really want to do, I think you should follow your dreams and just go for it.... Good luck. :)

labvampire · Jul 1, 2008

Hell no girl! Be proud to be an LPN!! I work in the ER and no one has ever said,"She's just an LPN." Instead, my RN co-workers ask, is my other nurse here yet, we need her!" Your pay will be lower in the hospital setting vs nursing home, home health, but, I love my job! My patients ask for me by name! Just be your best at what you do, that's what gets you respect, not the initials. My boss has put me on two commitee's, and I handle the safety for the department, and infection control. Do what you know you are best at, and who cares what other people think. Alot of times people who aren't in health care but want to be will play your status down because of jealousy or lack of confidence in themselves. Your mom sounds like a fabulous role model, she would be proud of you!! Go for it! :yeah:

nursval · Jul 1, 2008

All the more power to you! If anything, it sounds like financially you are in a good area to stay an LPN. I live in Oklahoma city, and our RN'S get paid what you get paid as an LPN. I am an LPN, and am in school for RN, and apparently, the only difference ( besides not initiating blood and other things) is the way of thinking. I had an instructor tell me that LPN's are taught more to be task- oriented, whereas RN's are taught to look at the big picture. I don't think that's true in all cases. I worked on a Med-Surg unit for 9 months after I graduated, and I did not notice any difference in the mentality of nurses. That being said, I work on a labor and delivery unit now, and there is a definate line, but only because LPN's are more restricted in what kind of nursing they are legally able to do. If being an LPN is where your heart is, go for it.:heartbeat

TashaLPN2006RN2012, ASN, RN · Jul 1, 2008

If that's what you want to do i also say GO FOR IT! Not only is being an LPN a wonderful profession, but it's career prospects will allow you to not only care for your children but also enable you to make more money and afford a different education should you want to! I went to LPN school during my husbands first deployment, not becasue i didnt want to be an RN but because i had a small child at home, he was gone, and i had 12 mo of just being a mom and student instead of also being a wife. I always thought i'd eventually go to school for RN and i'm using Excelsiors "test out" schooling to do that now while he's deployed again, but il've talked back to a few people (walmart sales accocites seem to say this the most..lol) who have said to me "when are you going to be a real nurse??" ummm hello I AM A REAL NURSE and GREAT at my job!!!! Dont let anyone talk you out of your dreams or goals! good luck and welcome aboard!

TashaLPN2006RN2012, ASN, RN · Jul 1, 2008

oh and one little side-track...one of the Physician Assitants asked me one day " When you become a real nurse...blahblahblah" (cant remember the rest because i got so made) so you know what i said back to him...Well when you become a REAL doctor let me know...he got the point and apologized!!! lol

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 1, 2008

oh and one little side-track...one of the Physician Assitants asked me one day " When you become a real nurse...blahblahblah" (cant remember the rest because i got so made) so you know what i said back to him...Well when you become a REAL doctor let me know...he got the point and apologized!!! lol

Way to go!!! :yeah: :yeah: :yeah: :yeah::loveya:

kstec, LPN · Jul 3, 2008

There is absolutely nothing wrong with being a career LPN. Some people think of it as a stepping stone and some as a career. If the hospital is not where you want to work than don't worry about it. I work in a LTC facility where it is 1/2 LPN, 1/2 RN's and some RN BSN, all working the floor. Everyone has a different story as to why they are there. I of course wonder why would a RN BSN be working on the floor. Their response is that they love the knowledge they gained in school but hate the hospital environment and don't want to be in management. Same goes for the LPN's they don't want to work in a hospital or be in managment. I debate about getting my RN, but I often wonder if it's because I want too, or because of the societal pressures that the LPN isn't good enough. Thank goodness I'm not one to worry to much about what people think of me. I know that if I go back to school, that I'm intelligent enough to get my CNP if I wanted, but do I really want that? I'm a mother of two, married and not a spring chicken. I just think where I'm at is where I'm supposed to be. If I get a hair up my butt and decide that I want to neglect my family, have next to no income and go back to school then I will, but for now, I think that I'm okay. I love what I do outside the politics and paperwork. I went into nursing to take care of people, not just a particular area, but people and as far as I know my little old people are people and I'm helping them, so I'm happy. Sorry this is so long, but the answer to your question is "NO BEING A LPN IS NOT BAD" Good luck in whatever you chose and only you can decide that.

militarymom06 · Jul 3, 2008

People kill me saying...."just an LPN". They just don't realize how hard we work, especially in clinicals. Actually, practical nursing students get more clinical hours than the RN students do...atleast in GA. Over the years, and I've been "just" an LPN since 1992, I've had several people tell me they had rather an LPN be their nurse, than an RN. I'm not knocking RN's. In fact, I'm planning on getting my RN. But, there is NOTHING wrong with being an LPN. The pay is good, most times, the satisfaction is awesome...most times. So, don't let "those" people tell you that you're just an LPN. That's like saying someone is "just" a teacher, or mom, etc.