LPN to RN who has lots of questions

Faeriewand, ASN, RN · Apr 26, 2009

A hospital would want to save money and hire you as a new grad RN rather than as an experienced nurse who would make more money. But you would have it over those other new grad RN's because you were a LPN.

Many LPN/LVN's don't have experience on the floor. In my transition course I am the only one who is currently working in Med/Surg. I wanted a clinic job so badly but wasn't hired there.

Jules A, MSN · Apr 28, 2009

If they are willing to hire and train you absolutely go for it! Good luck.

Maryvette · May 6, 2009

Hello, I dont know if this advice will be good but as for me, I worked in LTC for 4 years and really its very hard work, mentally and physically. If you are going to school, you need a lot of quality time to study and been tired its not going to be good at all. Maybe you should stay with the clinic for now, you can always do agency at least one day a week to get exposed to nursing situations and sharpen your skills but thats just something to consider. LTC usually give you 2 weeks orientation (some places offer more time if needed) but its only to get acclamated to unit routine, policies and procedures, and patients as well. Dont know where you are going to look for LTC job but, the majority of places you will have about 30 residents to do plus treatments, paperwork, emergencies and the extras. Does this sounds suitable or appealing to you? How much time will you have left to study? Think about it.

Good luck!!!

jc3015 · May 12, 2009

Hi.

I'm currently working in LTC, to be honest, it was the only place that would hire a new grad LPN. It's really demanding, sometimes very frustrating. Still, I enjoy working with many of the residents who really treat me great.

I start my ADN program the end of August. It'll take me 9 months (two semesters) as I've got all of the classes in the third semester covered, already. It's looking as though I'll have to drop to part time in order to get the courseload done. I'd like to have done clinic work, but the ADN classes are in the day and all our local clinics are 8 - 5, 9 - 5. Good luck! j

mamamiah · May 26, 2009

I am in the process of transitioning from LPN to RN....I am in the transition class this summer and I will start up with the 2nd yr ADN students.... I understand where you are coming from, but I stayed working at my current job as a Surg Tech, which I did before going to LPN school. I stayed working in that field knowing I was going to go back for my RN. I regret it for the simple fact of not gaining any experience as a nurse....everyone has told me it will all come back to you and you are better off not having learned bad habits.......what is done in the real world and how it is taught in the book......... I have to admit, I am really nervous. I am taking this transition course seriously, which a lot of other LPNs see it as a waste of time.... I am not looking at it that way though, any thing I can learn or get a refresher on, I am so thankful for.....It has been 1 1/2 yrs since I passed my boards....I still am always reading and doing questions from my Saunders NCLEX-RN book.....

I also stayed where I am, because they will work with my schedule....come August, school M-F and I will work Sat and Sun

Lots of luck...........

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · May 26, 2009

Keep the office job and get hired on as a new grad RN - which is the rate you'd be hired at as an LPB alread working in a hospital.

You'll be too exhausted to study if you're on the floor. I speaketh from experience.

:)

littlejtLPN · May 27, 2009

I totally understand what you are saying. I am so nervous that when I start my transition program I am going to be behind all the other LPNs because of my lack of experience and it is some what daunting to join the 2nd year RNs after a 10wk review/crash course of nursing! Any way I am sure you will do well in your program you sound like a motivated individual!

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · May 27, 2009

Why will you behind? I started LPN school with a background in computer programming.

You'll be fine. You'll ace all the maternal/child health stuff about what vacc when, etc. You're bringing some strengths with you.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · May 27, 2009

I hate to burst your bubble, but as an LPN the jobs you get in any hospital or nursing home are only going to give you experience as an LPN. The LPN and RN jobs are not the same. It would be wrong for anyone to suggest that you would be getting any RN experience working in any of these settings. I have been an RN staff nurse and manager and saw many LPNs go through the transition to becoming an RN. The two jobs are not the same. Yes, you will get experience in your role as an LPN if you work, but you cannot practice what RNs do at all because you have never been taught what RNs do--yet. That is what you are taught in RN school.

mamamiah · Jul 13, 2012

LittlejtLPN,

Are you now working as an RN? Are you enjoying it?

NewbieNurse78 · Jul 15, 2012

I worked for a year as an LPN in a LTC that specialized in Vent dependent pt's. It was a ton of work and it may not leave you with adequate time for school work, but you are the best judge of that sort of thing.

What I will tell you is that I think it gave me skills that have made me a MUCH better RN straight out of school then I would have been without the experience. Being an LPN in an LTC taught me:

1. Medications - You will hone your med admin skills BIG TIME it you work LTC. You will also become more familiar with certain medications and know what to look for and what to expect in side effects. That puts you ahead of the curve when you graduate!

2. Time Management - When you have 15-20 patients (a normal load for an LPN) you will learn very fast how to prioritize and get stuff done on time. I work in an ICU and handle 2 patients which feels like such a lighter load most nights after working 20.

3. Basic skills - In my LTC I got to work with vented pt's and practice a lot with vents, it made me super comfortable with them which led my being hired into an ICU as a new grad. In this economy experience is experience