LPN to RN woes

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Specializes in LTC & Rehab Supervision.

I have a little dilemma. I'm finding it really hard to find the drive to go back to school for my RN. I've only been an LPN for about a month, and I know I want to get to be an RN as fast as possible, but I have close to no motivation to do so :( I think part of it is that I failed my TEAS test, retaking it again. I don't know...

I attended my mandatory meeting last night at the school I'll be applying to. I still plan on taking the TEAS test again (And pass!) and the LPN challenge exam to gain entrance into the program. So, right now I'm just going through the motions.

Has anyone else ever felt this way? :/

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Specializes in school nurse.

Don't be in such a rush. Get some experience as a licensed nurse before jumping into school again.

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Specializes in LTC & Rehab Supervision.
11 hours ago, Jedrnurse said:

Don't be in such a rush. Get some experience as a licensed nurse before jumping into school again.

I've been hearing so many different remarks regarding this. I keep getting told I should go back to school immediately while I'm young to get it out of the way, but I also keep hearing I should enjoy being a nurse and save up now that I'm making "adult" money.

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My advice is to go back as soon as possible for a couple of reasons.

1. Don't want to loose momentum and study skills

2. Everything is still fresh, you aren't playing catch up

3. Every year you delay is money out of your pocket (wages of an LPN vs RN) and possible opportunities lost.

Just my 2 cents.

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Specializes in Allergy and Immunology.

I went back right away. Like others have stated, if it is your goal to be an RN, it best to do it ASAP. That way everything is fresh and your pre-reqs don’t expire (sciences). The longer you wait the more competitive things will get, the # of student accepted, increase in passing score for TEAS tests etc...

I know you feel no motivation because you failed the TEAS. It’s only going to get harder the longer you wait though....

So, pick yourself up, study up on what you did not do well on and prove to yourself and everyone else, you can do this!

And...someone once pointed out to me, that the time will pass regardless. That was profound to me.

So.... in 2 years.... do you want to be where you are now... or do you want to be able to upgrade your credentials and write RN after your name...

On the contrary, if you can’t afford to go back for RN, that’s changes things. You have to do what’s right for you. Work a while, save money, then go back...

Good luck in whatever you decide!

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Specializes in school nurse.
2 hours ago, JabuJabule said:

I've been hearing so many different remarks regarding this. I keep getting told I should go back to school immediately while I'm young to get it out of the way, but I also keep hearing I should enjoy being a nurse and save up now that I'm making "adult" money.

It just seems to me that you should find out if you like being a nurse before committing to going further. Also, it's not an all-or-nothing thing. You can certainly work on taking non-nursing core courses before actually matriculating into clinical courses. There are plenty to be done, especially if you want to continue on to a BSN.

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Specializes in ICU.

I just graduated my LPN program July 2019. I'm STILL mentally exhausted from that program; I made the mistake of continuing classes this semester- however, I'm taking spring semester OFF in order to refresh my mind, body & soul to prepare for the 3 semester LPN to RN program beginning in summer 2020. I'm having issues trying to motivate myself to do my LAST lab practical for my microbio class -_- every single time I open up.. I'm like.. mehhhh... I dont wanna ?

I definitely DONT want to go back.. Nursing school literally almost made me go insane. BUT, it was also the greatest thing I ever did and I want my RN in order to open more doors & opportunities & MORE MONEY! I love being an LPN, but I know there's so much more out there as an RN. I'm greedy with nursing- I want it ALL!

I've seen a lot of people decide to "take a year long break" only to wait YEARS to go back or never... Just do yourself a favor and MAKE YOURSELF DO IT.

We just gotta suck it up and do it. I have a mantra of "its only one more freaking year", then (personally) I'm breaking for a year or so until I go for my BSN.

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Go back now. I was going to wait a year after LPN...15 years later I finally went back.

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Specializes in ICU.
On 11/17/2019 at 5:09 AM, JabuJabule said:

I've been hearing so many different remarks regarding this. I keep getting told I should go back to school immediately while I'm young to get it out of the way, but I also keep hearing I should enjoy being a nurse and save up now that I'm making "adult" money.

You can make "adult" money while going back for your RN ? that's one of the reasons I got my LPN first instead of the 2 year RN program. Plus, i got to find out that this is definitely where I'm supposed to be ?

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I agree with the writers description of how immediate bedding leads to emergency room overcrowding and places those with emergent needs at risk. Immediate bedding however, is a cooperate maneuver to improve patient satisfaction by reducing wait times. It however, has a much darker agenda of profit. Immediate bedding is all about decreasing door to disposition time to increase number and preventing patients from leaving without being seen and charged. It is all about metrics and places enormous stress on nurses and providers as they are forced to rush patient care to meet the 45 minute length of stay metric.

I agree the system placed this nurse and patients in harms way. That is what immediate bedding does. It creates chaos. Regardless, there is no excuse for giving EPI IV in anaphylaxis. An 18 year, CEN knows better. It is basic nursing knowledge to treat anaphylaxis with EPI only SQ or IM.

I have to say that the charge RN also had a duty to protect patients from harm and should have made better decisions to manage patient flow. Assigning a patient with an at risk airway to a non monitored bed is negligent. Surely,stable patients could have been pulled out or even moved to the non urgent area to free up a resuscitation room? The charge nurse also, should have offered assistance to the nurse in managing such an overly acute assignment. Charge nurses must be prepared to step up and care for patients themselves at times. If worse came to worse the RRT could have been called for extra hands and portable monitors used.

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Not exactly the same situation but I felt/feel the same way about my RN-BSN. I graduated in May from an ADN program. I started BSN classes at the same college but will transfer in the spring to a larger university. I am hoping that the transfer kick starts me. Because as of right now, I am lacking in the motivation department. I have realized, that between the NCLEX, a new job and now school, I am burnt out. That being said, I still think it was the best decision. I have known too many CNAs, LPNs, and RNs who put off school and 10 years later they still regret it. So, I am gonna put my head down and drag myself kicking & screaming till I reach the end.

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Specializes in Ambulatory Care-Family Medicine.

I have been in your shoes. I took the scenic route to my BSN. Graduated with LVN in 2011, RN in 2017, and BSN earlier this year.

My advice: Get it over with! I regret waiting so long to finish up. It is mentally exhausting and frustrating no matter if you wait or go straight into it. However, now that I am done I have free time again and it is so nice not having school hanging over my head.

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