LPN'S

As time goes by, it will become harder and harder to get a job with less than a BSN RN. Myself, I'm a Diploma grad RN, and it works for me. However, if I wanted to work in the hospitals, I probably would not be able to find a job.

LPNs make good nurses. It's just that they can't always find jobs.

I honestly believe the treatment has more to do with the environment than the type of nursing license you have. I have heard about just as many RN's (new grads) being mistreated and/or disrespected by co-workers. The work culture of your place of employment will play the biggest factor in how you are treated.

I am a fairly new LVN myself, but I was fortunate enough to find a hospital position. More than anything else I am grateful that the director of my unit does not allow/promote disrespect towards each other. He made it clear that he has zero tolerance for it (regardless of license or certificate), and will terminate anyone engaging in bullying behavior. The LVN's and RN's work side by side and are very gracious to one another.

Similar to TheCommuter I have plans to go back to school to become an RN. I hope you aren't deterred from entering this profession.

First, you aren't choosing to be ONLY a LPN, you are cooking to be a licensed practical NURSE. Be proud of your goals. Not a lot of hospitals hire anymore, but clinics and nursing homes do. I have never been treated like a child by a RN that I have worked with. I am proud of being a LPN for over 20 years now. I love LTC, and the team I work with! Good luck to you!

Thank you so much for that kind message ! I've chosen this profession because I love working with people and I wanted to be more than just a CNA. As a CNA I felt that the work I was doing was great but I want to do more and I want to be better! I also studied as a medical assistant and I loved it, now if the Lord permits it I will continue on to get my RN after receiving my LPN certification

If time permits in the future I may continue on with my education because I would love to work in pediatrics. I used to work with the elderly as a CNA and I enjoyed it! Hopefully I'll be able to work with them once I graduate, however if the opportunity presents itself I'd like to work with children.

I'm a LPN and #1 I don't play that bs and #2 it's hardly any RN's where I work in a state of the art rehabilitation center that works with all type of recovering orthopedic surgeries and CVA's my unit manager is a LPN and my other job is the same way RN's are few and far between and the ones I do work with I have no issues with them. We respect each other. I probably would never work in a hospital as an LPN because you will be treated like a tech but that's just me. And I'm a very new LPN and young I expected to deal with all type of crap but I know my stuff and I don't let anyone intimidate me.

Helpful hint: drop the JUST. You did it with JUST an LPN and now JUST a CNA. Stop demeaning these professions.

Thank you so much for that kind message ! I've chosen this profession because I love working with people and I wanted to be more than just a CNA. As a CNA I felt that the work I was doing was great but I want to do more and I want to be better! I also studied as a medical assistant and I loved it, now if the Lord permits it I will continue on to get my RN after receiving my LPN certification

I am an LPN instructor in Pennsylvania and in my experience, RNs absolutely love working with LPNs. I get nothing but praise about my students in the clinical setting and each of my students have a job before graduation. As others have said in previous posts, you are not just an LPN. You are a valued member of the healthcare team. In PA, the scope of practice between an LPN and RN has very few differences.

Best of luck! :)

I was in no way demeaning the CNA profession, like I said I loved doing the work and I enjoyed being a CNA. I wasn't ragging on my medical sisters and brothers, I have so much respect for the work that gets done as a CNA. @BuckyBadgerRN, RN

I work in a LTC facility where (although the mix is always changing) the floor nurses are maybe 40% RN, 60% LPN. And although I'm a BSN RN, let me tell you that it's not the degree that automatically conveys any great knowledge and/or skills. There are some very good LPN's there, some so-so ones, maybe a bad one or two, and it is pretty much the same w/the RN's.

First of all people will treat you the way you allow them to treat you. I have a huge respect for LVNs and have met a lot of them that could run circles around some RN's because of their experience, knowledge and expertise. I've met quite a few at the VA who said they have no desire to become an RN. In fact one of the LVNs I encountered was an LVN instructor also and LVN and he was phenomenal I learned more from him than my RN instructors. Clearly LVNs are professional, trained and well suited to perform. I was in an RN program some years ago and did very well up until my last year and finances happened. I had to go back to the classroom and teach. I am a classroom teacher with dual masters degrees. And guess what I've found an online LPN program that allows me to keep my income while completing clinicals on the weekends. I'm going for it. Now mind you I plan to bridge after a year, I have no plans to remain an LPN foran extended length of time. I know the job market can be challenging for LVNs , but a few of our major hospitals here hire LVNs ,and guess what they I'm sure I'll be hired. At 43 years old I don't anticipate that I'll have problems with respect, my personality and demeanor commands it. I'm truly a believer in being respectful of others no matter what. I have no problem in teaching lessons on manners and respect to those who may not understand how they come across. Often people have no clue. Nurses eat their young, we know that. I just say know your craft, ask questions ,but be open to suggestions and criticism that's constructive.