LPN instead of RN?

[nowim clean]

First in the area where I live only 1 of the community colleges offer a LPN program. I know the program is shorter and if you decide later to advance to a RN degree there is only one bridge program. The hospitals around here do not hire them and the LPNs that are already working only make a couple dollars more than a cna, and unfortunately are looked down by alot of RNs. So after all that I have always wondered even when my wife and I were trying to get into a program, why would someone chose LPN over RN? For me it really was no choice cause the LPN program was not offered here. Just wondering,

[applewhitern, BSN, RN]

Most of the hospitals in my area do not hire LPN's. The ones that do, are already saying that as LPN's leave, quit, whatever, they will be replaced by RN's. Meaning they won't fire or lay off the LPN's, but once they leave, they will be replaced by RNs only. I do not know the rationale for this, except that a lot of hospitals do not do "team" nursing anymore, and the scope of practise for an LPN is limited. I work with 2 LPN's, and I am constantly having to push their pain meds for them, hang their blood, and mix their other drugs for them. This is ok, but I have just as many patients as they do, so it takes time away from my own patients. Almost all of the doctor's offices in my area use LPN's, and of course, the nursing homes do. The constant things I hear LPN's say is that they cannot afford to go to RN school, and they don't want to take the pre-requisites. To answer your question, some go to LPN school simply because they need to get a job and make some money as quickly as they can.

[nhensleyLPN]

Its not a waste of time, if, for whatever reason, you cannot finish RN school. At an bi-level accredited program, you can "hedge your bet" and at least have a nursing license.

[nhensleyLPN]

I do not know the rationale for this, except that a lot of hospitals do not do "team" nursing anymore, and the scope of practise for an LPN is limited. I work with 2 LPN's, and I am constantly having to push their pain meds for them, hang their blood, and mix their other drugs for them. This is ok, but I have just as many patients as they do, so it takes time away from my own patients. o answer your question, some go to LPN school simply because they need to get a job and make some money as quickly as they can.

I think its wrong that you should have to have as many patients as the LPN does if you are expected to charge too, but as I said before thats the unfortunate reality of the situation. At the very least, hospitals should demand that thier LPN's be IV certified, although I know that still does not take away all the extra responsibilities of the RN. If this were a perfect world, we would have "team" nursing again, and RN's would not be saddled with as many patients as the LPN. Whatever happened to LPN's being used as med nurses? (IV certified would be best of course)

[XXWeaponX]

I wanted to see if I was going to enjoy nursing, and want to keep moving forward. Additionally, nursing schools are really impacted here, so I figured I'd do my LVN, and then do a bridge program and miss out on RN wait lists and lotteries.

Turns out I did enjoy nursing, but I do wish I had not bothered with my LVN, even though I have an awesome, kick ass job.

It really, really ****** me off that LVN/LPNs are looked down on by RNs. We are both nurses, both sat the state boards, and are both well trained health care workers. The snobbery is pretty nasty and uncool.

As for me, I am completing my BSHS in Health Education in 2 months, and then I'll be applying to MSN programs, either for NP or Nurse Case Manager. The program I am pretty sure I will end up attending offers a 2 year program in Case Management, 1 year accelerated RN, one year Case Management, or a 3 year NP, one year accelerated RN, and 2 year NP. I wouldn't have ended up where I am if I hadn't gotten my LVN first.

[HazelLPN, LPN]

I became an LPN because I simply wanted to be a nurse who took care of the patients without the added responsibility of being charge nurse, shift coordinator, house supervisor etc. Where I went to school, the LPN and RN students were trained exactly the same, except the students who became RNs had one additional year of training to learn the administrative roles. Clinically they were the same. Mind you, this was back in the 1950s and things have changed. I had a wonderful career in critical care nursing and was fortunate to work in a state and hospital were I had a very broad scope of practice. My biggest restriction was that I didn't do the initial assessment on admission, so I simply didn't take new admits. I gave my own IVP meds, titrated my own drips, called the docs...had patients on vents, HFO, ECMO, CRRT, IABPs. My RN charge nurse had to check blood with me before I gave it, but clinically there was little difference between me and an RN.

I am retired from nursing now except for a volunteer job a few days a month working with special needs students in the public schools. The LPNs who remain in the units where I worked are mostly over 50 and nearing retirement. When they retire, they are replaced with RNs. If I was starting out in nursing now and wanted to work in the ICU, I would have to get my RN. I tell people these days to bite the bullet and get their BSN if possible...and I understand that life often gets in the way of such plans....so I say if possible. It will not make you a better nurse, but it will give you the most options.

Best to you,

Mrs H.

[Xnavykat]

I started out as a LPN b/c I wanted to make sure I'd like nursing. I'd planned to get my ADN, but shortly after entering the program I had the opportunity to go to Sicily for a month w/ my husband (hmmm..Sicily or school?). Therefore, I ended up withdrawing from the program. I started Excelsior, but only did a couple of tests. I'm now working in a methadone clinic and I really like my job. I get along great with the counseling staff and my peers/supervisor. I plan to stay with this job until I retire or something else happens. On another note, I was in the Navy for 20 years and not in the medical field.