LPN outlook

tiredstudentmom · Jun 20, 2010

Sometimes, I too find it discouraging going the nursing route period. When I told fellow pre-nursing students that I was probably going to go LVN first instead of just doing straight to RN. I told them, well, what if I don't get into an RN program? If I at least get into an LVN program, then I can at least be working towards what I want: a nursing education and then career. The economy is trying and very difficult....many fields are experiencing changes. I went to Medical Assisting school that was churning out tons of "medical assistants" every three months. The statistics and probability were stacked against me. However, I was one of the successful ones. I landed a job with a primary provider and gained valuable experience. If I could beat the odds as a new medical assistant grad, then I can do it again as a new nurse grad. It may mean that I have to work harder, be tougher and stronger, but I have to remain vigilant and persevere. Believe in yourself. Nothing worth having is ever easy. Rise to the challenge and achieve your dream.

tiredstudentmom · Jun 20, 2010

I meant to say at the beginning, that when I told fellow students about going LVN first, they too said, "why not just go for RN?" "Why would you want to do that?".....my bad!

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jun 20, 2010

For some, the LPN route is a stepping stone to Registered Nursing, for others, such as myself, the LPN route is as far as they are interested in going. It means different things to different individuals.

I was talking to my nursing supervisor a few days ago and she stated she went to a conference that illustrated the generational gap in the learning process as it relates to nursing. Years ago, nursing education was more hands on. By the time those students graduated, they were ready to take on a full caseload of patients. Their main fear was working independently rather than under the direct auspice of a clinical instructor. Now, on the other hand, more years, more theory, less clinical instructors (and those that are still working are afraid to let their students have too much independence), less clinical sites to accomodate them, have created people walking out of their course with no real experience. And, while the on line courses are opening up more opportunities for LPNs to become RNs, again, there is less hands on clinical experience.

I am comfortable where I am because I am also comfortable with myself. I don't want to have to justify my nursing path to anyone, and if I am not nurse enough for others, then, that is their problem, not mine.

From my observations, the New York Metropolitan area hospitals are using less LPNs these days. I haven't taken the time to look very often in the past two years because since this economic crisis has reared it's head, it really isn't safe to venture too far if I don't have to. I currently work in a hospital clinic. We still have LPNs in our facility. I think that they are losing LPNs through attrition and not replacing them, but we still have plenty of them. To take a chance to leave now, I would lose my seniority, pension and decent benefits. So, I am not venturing out to see what is happening in other hospitals right now. If this situation clears up, then, maybe. I am interested in working for the VA, eventually but I will not make a move until this crisis ammends itself.