LVN before RN

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Hi Alll

I have been reading your posts for a long time but this is the first post that I have written. Anyways I am a CNA now and going to school taking nursing pre reqs. I ws wondering if anyone could give me some advice on whether or not to become an LVN before I go to nursing school to get a BSN.

Specializes in LDRP; Education.
Originally posted by NannaNurse

SuzyK.....Could you please clarify your comment regarding....bedside care and breaking your back? To me, if your a nurse and not doing bedside care or direct patient care then your teaching or in administration and not really practing nursing care??? Am I wrong?

To me, being a nurse IS all about bedside care. Breaking my back.....yes and I hate it. In fact, my back hurts right now...ha.

I was just wondering what you meant by your remark.

Thanks.

Absolutely yes you are wrong. If I am not in bedside care, that means I am in any other slew of positions for RNs, such as research, admin, teaching, case management, public health, academia, clinic nursing, telephone triage....to name a few. In my opinion, that IS nursing care, whether it's for patients in a different setting or for our future nurses. Ask many case managers here; they are sure practicing their nursing care but in a different way.

There are times when bedside care, in a hospital, is too much to bear both physically and emotionally. Having the option to leave that and work in OTHER areas that are NOT physically demanding is the greatest option of having an RN, in my opinion. That is what I meant. There is more to nursing than bedside care.

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Specializes in LDRP; Education.
Originally posted by NannaNurse

SuzyK.....Could you please clarify your comment regarding....bedside care and breaking your back? To me, if your a nurse and not doing bedside care or direct patient care then your teaching or in administration and not really practing nursing care??? Am I wrong?

To me, being a nurse IS all about bedside care. Breaking my back.....yes and I hate it. In fact, my back hurts right now...ha.

I was just wondering what you meant by your remark.

Thanks.

Absolutely yes you are wrong. If I am not in bedside care, that means I am in any other slew of positions for RNs, such as research, admin, teaching, case management, public health, academia, clinic nursing, telephone triage....to name a few. In my opinion, that IS nursing care, whether it's for patients in a different setting or for our future nurses. Ask many case managers here; they are sure practicing their nursing care but in a different way.

There are times when bedside care, in a hospital, is too much to bear both physically and emotionally. Having the option to leave that and work in OTHER areas that are NOT physically demanding is the greatest option of having an RN, in my opinion. That is what I meant. There is more to nursing than bedside care.

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I see you're 18 so I say go all the way now! Might as well go for the RN whether ASN or BSN and it will give you many options for the future. And you won't be going back to complete the RN after you have family or financial committments etc competing for your time!

Good Luck with school! :D

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I see you're 18 so I say go all the way now! Might as well go for the RN whether ASN or BSN and it will give you many options for the future. And you won't be going back to complete the RN after you have family or financial committments etc competing for your time!

Good Luck with school! :D

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SuzyK.......some of those 'other positions' you mentioned are not just for RN's. I've done Telephone Triage, Public Health, Research, Case Managment and MDS.

Every aspect of nursing, is indeed nursing. I surely didn't expect a reply to be so defensive.

Don't you miss the closeness with the patients? Actually I don't think I'm 'wrong'...it's just my opinion. But like I said.....if your not at the bedside or doing direct patient care, your not involved in nursing CARE.....your still nursing, mind you.....just not in a 'personal' way..........to me.

I'm almost finished with my RN and I will still prefer DIRECT care. I love the administrative part......orientating new nurses....but I just can't seem to tear myself away from the bedside. That is the main reason I became a nurse.

Have a good day

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SuzyK.......some of those 'other positions' you mentioned are not just for RN's. I've done Telephone Triage, Public Health, Research, Case Managment and MDS.

Every aspect of nursing, is indeed nursing. I surely didn't expect a reply to be so defensive.

Don't you miss the closeness with the patients? Actually I don't think I'm 'wrong'...it's just my opinion. But like I said.....if your not at the bedside or doing direct patient care, your not involved in nursing CARE.....your still nursing, mind you.....just not in a 'personal' way..........to me.

I'm almost finished with my RN and I will still prefer DIRECT care. I love the administrative part......orientating new nurses....but I just can't seem to tear myself away from the bedside. That is the main reason I became a nurse.

Have a good day

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Specializes in LDRP; Education.
Originally posted by NannaNurse

Don't you miss the closeness with the patients? Actually I don't think I'm 'wrong'...it's just my opinion.

I've realized there are numerous ways to effect a patient's life, not only treating them when they have fallen ill but intervening BEFORE they end up in the hospital. Every job I have had, in the clinic, in education, and even in research, I've had direct patient contact.

My point earlier is yes, there are always exceptions to every rule. I've seen LPNs do telephone triage and public health; but where I live they do not. I've simply seen more options available to RNs.

You asked if you "were wrong" in your first post so I replied in kind. There was nothing deeper meant by that.

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Specializes in LDRP; Education.
Originally posted by NannaNurse

Don't you miss the closeness with the patients? Actually I don't think I'm 'wrong'...it's just my opinion.

I've realized there are numerous ways to effect a patient's life, not only treating them when they have fallen ill but intervening BEFORE they end up in the hospital. Every job I have had, in the clinic, in education, and even in research, I've had direct patient contact.

My point earlier is yes, there are always exceptions to every rule. I've seen LPNs do telephone triage and public health; but where I live they do not. I've simply seen more options available to RNs.

You asked if you "were wrong" in your first post so I replied in kind. There was nothing deeper meant by that.

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Again, it really depends on the situation of the individual. I was a secretary, unit clerk, lvn and now rn. I don't see the harm in becoming a LVN first. In fact when you do you tend to have a leg up on bedside nursing. I was a LVN for 4 years before I went back and got my RN. I remember a RN precepting me on a med surg floor. She had only a year of being a RN. We had to put a foley catheter in an eighty-four woman she didn't have a clue to do it so I miss LVN did it with no problem because of my prior experience. Yes, I say any step up from your previous situation is great. I look at it as a stepping stone. For others who never relish the fact of being a LVN first you really can't say how it would or would not benfit anyone when you never was working as a practical nurse. We all take several paths to get where we are and because of our cultural backgrounds, living conditions at that time we had to do what we had to do, period.

Now 2 1/2 years as a RN I am planing to go back and get my MSN over all to become a NNP. But because I was a LVN first I can often reflect what started my foundation to be the best in my profession. Do what works for you and you only...........;)

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Why is it that this has once again seemed to turn into a fight over LPN vs RN? In my honest opinion you have to choose what is right for you not anyone else. In every position you will have limitations, thats just life. If you want to be a nurse and you just can't do the RN, a LPN job is very rewarding. Some people are very happy with a LPN status and thats wonderful. I myself look forward to being an LPN. Some people need more opportunity and you get that with a RN behind your name. Its a matter of personal preference. I myself want to do in home pediatric care and you can be either a LPN or RN to do that job.

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