LPN to RN regret

Nurses General Nursing

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I was an lpn for 9 years before completing an lpn to RN bridge program. I seriously regret it. I had already thought about leaving nursing prior to getting my RN and should have gone with my gut. I thought getting my RN would open more doors and better opportunities. I am 3 months in with these RN license and am like WOW!?! The first thing I learned is the pay still sucks. I received offers for less than I was making an lpn. The charting is atrocious. If it's not Epic, it's trash. The responsibility coupled with the stress, low pay, too much charting, and liability; it's not worth it. I truly regret wasting my time in nursing.

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Sounds about right. Hope you find something you love or at least enjoy doing.

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cduenes41 said:

Sounds about right. Hope you find something you love or at least enjoy doing.

I hope so too!

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Specializes in New Critical care NP, Critical care, Med-surg, LTC.

You put a lot of effort into your LPN career and then getting your RN. You should never regret efforts spent into educating yourself and working to improve, congratulations! As for the disappointments you've experienced since getting your degree, you obviously haven't hit the right spot for you, but it's out there! There are SO many options, non-clinical, office setting, education, community outreach, you can find something that will fit your career and personal goals. I'm sorry it's been a rough start but if you spend some time looking around I hope a better opportunity comes along. Good luck!

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Specializes in RN.

I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling this way after making the transition to an RN through the LPN to RN bridge program. It's understandable that your expectations and experiences have led to frustration. Nursing can indeed be demanding and challenging, and it's important to prioritize your well-being and career satisfaction. If you're open to it, consider exploring other potential paths within healthcare that may align better with your interests and goals. Your experience and skills still hold value, and finding the right fit for you is key. Remember, your well-being and happiness are important factors in your career journey.

 

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Specializes in Critical Care.

While the new grad pay may be a pay cut, you should be able to negotiate based on all your experience as an LPN.  It will certainly make for a quicker and speedier orientation and transition in my opinion.  I would look for videos on YouTube on salary negotiation and how to sell yourself and then practice before the interviews.

Also remember no matter what happens, this is a stepping stone to more and better opportunities that you didn't have before as an LPN.  Your first RN job is just that.  The first step on your journey.  Generally speaking switching jobs is the best way to increase salary.  That said if you are looking at a hospital job check into unions as they usually have better pay and benefits.  The VA is generally the best benefits by far but a slow hiring process.  Also read the Glass Door nursing reviews of the hospitals you are looking at, don't go by the star rating, read the actual reviews they will tell you the truth and there is also some salary info in there as well.

Also think about what you want to do in the future besides your first job.  Do you want to work in a clinic, outpatient or dialysis etc.  Do you want to go on to be an NP then you would need to get further education.

Lastly learn more about personal finance.  Take a class online or at a tech college or just check out info online.  That is the best way to make your money go further.  I'll just mention a couple books that have been very useful to me Deal with Your Debt by Liz Weston, Smart Women Finish Rich by David Bach and Personal Finance for Dummies by Eric Tyson a virtual encyclopedia at your fingertips. 

 

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As Brandy said, negotiate. You are not a new RN grad. You are bringing 9 years of nursing experience with you. Where are you applying?

Think outside of the hospital. Look into utilization and disease management for insurance companies.

Good luck.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
Been there,done that said:

As Brandy said, negotiate. You are not a new RN grad. You are bringing 9 years of nursing experience with you. Where are you applying?

Think outside of the hospital. Look into utilization and disease management for insurance companies.

Good luck.

My friend has been working in insurance for around 30 years after 5 years bedside and is happy.  She is a case manager.  Lives in the Nashville area and her company even provides paid family leave which is almost unheard of!    She even works from home and this was before covid.  Not sure of the company but I think she worked for three so far.  I remember she worked for United Health and Anthem Blue Cross in the past.  This is another good option to think about.

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Specializes in UM Case Mgmt, HEDIS, Abstraction.

Working from home has been The Best - look at those options if you're tired of the floor.  The pay is Great, the coworkers and management are Reasonable and nobody dies.  Plus you get to wear your PJs and No Commute!  Search HEDIS, Work From Home Nurse etc...

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Hello, I am looking for a LPN to RN program that is legit. I have been doing research on certain Accredited programs and when I look up their names in the BBB I read a lot of terrible complaints. I would appreciate any feedback.  Also do you need to be an RN to do HEIDIS.

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.
Kathleen Palka said:

Hello, I am looking for a LPN to RN program that is legit. I have been doing research on certain Accredited programs and when I look up their names in the BBB I read a lot of terrible complaints. I would appreciate any feedback.  Also do you need to be an RN to do HEIDIS.

National League for Nursing CNEA maintains list of approved  programs LPN, Associate and BSN: https://cnea.nln.org/accredited-programs

while  the American Association of Colleges of Nursing CCNE  approved BSN and above degrees here: https://directory.ccnecommunity.org/reports/accprog.asp

Allnurses maintains list nursing degree programs  and lively  nursing students discussion forms about various schools to help in your decision.

Healthcare experience in manged care + LPN may get one hired to do HEDIS, most employers request RN with experience.  Search Indeed.com or Careerbuilders to see employers in your area requirements.

 

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Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.
OverIt said:

I was an lpn for 9 years before completing an lpn to RN bridge program. I seriously regret it. I had already thought about leaving nursing prior to getting my RN and should have gone with my gut. I thought getting my RN would open more doors and better opportunities. I am 3 months in with these RN license and am like WOW!?...

Read your post with interest as I also transitioned form LPN to RN role after 5 years.  Your still in the honeymoon phase of the role.   Give it some time at least a year along with changing employer before you throw in the towel.  It is a different role with much higher expectations --- along with the ability to branch out into many other positions outside of traditional hospital/SNF environment.   Tale some time for YOU during this period to decompress engage in activities away from your job...helped me alot.

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