why LPN?

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Mar 12, 2006

Part of what made me annoyed by it (aside from the semi-obvious rudeness of it) is hearing it SEVERAL times.

Best answer i used "I'm doing what's best for ME" emphasis on the ME.

suebird3 · Mar 12, 2006

Did anyone ever consider "experience"? Or in terms of finances? That is what I always have told people.

Suebird

NurseMatt · Mar 12, 2006

I get that question mostly from NEW RNs believe it or not. I have researched it ALOT and asked many seasoned RNs and LPNs and the ones that I respect and believe to be the best RNs at thier place of employment all suggested to go the LPN to RN route. They said you will get a better appreciation for the job and what you do plus get alot more clinical chances due to smaller classes and whatnot. I could go on but for ME too this is the better path.

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 12, 2006

People have many reasons for the career paths they choose and suffice it to say, it's nice not to question too sharply their choices. It's nice diversity exists in nursing like everywhere else!

pagandeva2000, LPN · Mar 12, 2006

hi all,
Just venting a little any other LPNs get the question WHY LPN? why not go for RN?........ok maybe i am a little sensitive to the question, but i try and answer it with grace. :angryfire It just bothers me than people assume we choose this as an easy why out. i dont know about anyone else but this is what works for my family and I. How do you feel about this...:angryfire Vent with me!

I have had the SAME experience!! I purposely chose LPN for several reasons: I always wanted to be a nurse, but I had to admit to myself that I want nothing to do with critical care, want someone else to sort of lean on (meaning the RN), and while I can freely admit that I would love to earn the Rn salary, I KNOW that I clearly do not want RN responsibility. If there was not a need for practical nurses, the title would not exist.

Also, I had never been to college before, and did not think it was wise to take on such a task. My job sponsered my education with fulltime leave of absence with pay, paid my tuition and books. I just completed my LPN program last week; while most people that went for the RN program either did not get accepted, or got thrown out because they couldn't make the grade. At least, I'd have somewhat of a foundation in case I do decide to move on later (but I honestly don't think it will happen).

Another thing I learned about myself, is that while I really enjoyed LEARNING, and still look forward to becoming a nurse, I found that I didn't like the nursing school experience. My nerves were always upset because of the exams, I hated clinicals, and I hate the fact that I have to now study for NCLEX-PN...where there is no bargaining or reasoning points before a computer. I don't want to experience this again.

I do remember so many people saying "When will you go for the RN" or "why didn't you try to go for the RN?" I got to the point where I have gotten blatently rude with people because they have demeaned my accomplishment.

Excellent thread to start...I can vent forever!

pagandeva2000, LPN · Mar 12, 2006

Part of what made me annoyed by it (aside from the semi-obvious rudeness of it) is hearing it SEVERAL times.
Best answer i used "I'm doing what's best for ME" emphasis on the ME.

Yes, that word "ME" takes on a whole different perspective, and many tactless people don't see that. It is interesting, because I passed as one of the highest in my class, but don't have even a remote interest in the RN course at this time, and that has amazed people. Outside of the money, there isn't much about the RN title that attracts me. Seems like more headaches. But, believe me, this is no disrespect for the RN. I have seen their cirriculum, and anyone that can survive that deserves acknowlegement. But, RN is NOT for me.

Even their courseload is a turn off to me. CHemistry, for example. I have asked most of the associate degree RNs if they used chemistry, and all of them have told me that they didn't. Of course, this is limited to just the ones I asked, but I could not reconcile with killing myself through that course, have to get a B+ or an A to get into the RN program, only to never use it again.

brown eyed girl · Mar 12, 2006

I chose to go the LPN route b/c I wanted to become a nurse plus I'll get the experience I need to function as a nurse such as calling dr.'s to get orders or changing orders. It will also make it a little easier when it comes time for me to start taking classes; as LPN'S we have basic knowledge of certain subjects which will make learning a little less difficult than those who aren't nurses. For me, I want to work in surgery, icu, and a level 1 trauma center b/c I want to be apart of the "action" that goes on in the hospital. Don't get me wrong, I like LTC but, it's not where I want to spend the majority of my career. I see being a LPN as a stepping stone to get to where I want to be.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Mar 12, 2006

I chose to go the LPN route b/c I wanted to become a nurse plus I'll get the experience I need to function as a nurse such as calling dr.'s to get orders or changing orders. It will also make it a little easier when it comes time for me to start taking classes; as LPN'S we have basic knowledge of certain subjects which will make learning a little less difficult than those who aren't nurses. For me, I want to work in surgery, icu, and a level 1 trauma center b/c I want to be apart of the "action" that goes on in the hospital. Don't get me wrong, I like LTC but, it's not where I want to spend the majority of my career. I see being a LPN as a stepping stone to get to where I want to be.

I think that people need to get over themselves and stop questioning why others did not take the steps they have chosen. I can say, though, that LPN school is hard as well, because they are cramming in all of the skills that they want you to acquire within a year. The main thing I have noticed is that the FOCUS is different between the LPN and RN, (yet, I can't quite place it into words-but when I have seen the courseload of the RN cirriculum, I can see it subtly).

pagandeva2000, LPN · Mar 12, 2006

I get that question mostly from NEW RNs believe it or not. I have researched it ALOT and asked many seasoned RNs and LPNs and the ones that I respect and believe to be the best RNs at thier place of employment all suggested to go the LPN to RN route. They said you will get a better appreciation for the job and what you do plus get alot more clinical chances due to smaller classes and whatnot. I could go on but for ME too this is the better path.

We didn't have smaller classes, but we were offered a better shot at passing the course than the RN students. I have seen many RN students fail their first semester (Fundamentals), because they were not used to the questioning.

Most of them were honor students, with a 4.0 GPA, could not handle NCLEX-style questions. Most people are used to being tested on content, where nursing makes you APPLY your knowledge, and that is different. And, they only had three exams, each worth a high percentage per subject; 30% for the first 2 and 40% for the final. If they failed one test with less than a 70, they were already in danger of failing out. In fact, I had a friend who had a 3.5 GPA, came into the PN program, and was not doing well on the exams in the beginning; because she was not used to the style of questioning. Our program director felt that it takes time to comprehend critical thinking, and she added other things such as case studies, research papers and group projects to aid us in passing. Her theory is that most students need an additional amount of time to learn to think critically. SO, while the RN program would start out at about 50 students at the beginning, and the graduating class would be about TEN (how horrible), we had a starting class of 40 and 36 of us graduated.

Of course, this does not guarentee anyone passing NCLEX, but the elimination process that went on with the RN program made it even less attractive to me.