is being an lpn so bad???

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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?????

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!!!

Just curious (as a soon to be nursing student), why would an RN wish that they were an LPN?

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Just curious (as a soon to be nursing student), why would an RN wish that they were an LPN?

I would like to see the answer to that as well, but at a glance I would say that it may be due to much more responsibility and not enough support (not that LPNs have it, either).

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The only downside of being an LVN/LPN is that you are limited to where you can work.. no one really know what you are and you're mostly appointed the "nitty gritty" work load. Its like we're a dying species!! Despite it all I've thoroughly enjoyed my LVN career and I do plan on obtaining my RN ADN. There is an 8 month bridge program after completion of prerequisites. This will double my salary and open even more oppurtunities. Health care is the best and most stable job you can have. The best paying position with the least amount of education and largest area for growth opportunities is nursing ;)

Best wishes!!!

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The only downside of being an LVN/LPN is that you are limited to where you can work.. no one really know what you are and you're mostly appointed the "nitty gritty" work load. Its like we're a dying species!! Despite it all I've thoroughly enjoyed my LVN career and I do plan on obtaining my RN ADN. There is an 8 month bridge program after completion of prerequisites. This will double my salary and open even more oppurtunities. Health care is the best and most stable job you can have. The best paying position with the least amount of education and largest area for growth opportunities is nursing ;)

Best wishes!!!

What exactly is the "nitty gritty" work? Can you explain what a typical day is for you?

I would like to obtain my LPN, then go on for my BSN through the second degree program (I have a BA in Education now). The RN waitlist is 2.5-3 years here so can get through the LPN program in a year, then continue on for my BSN and (hopefully) get some tuition reimbursement from my employer at that time.

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da-hood.... is that right? LOL, Like nursing, nothing is right or wrong...

choose your battles and do what you need to do. You will find that we are always here to support you.

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