Moving down in the world

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I'm a RN and my job will be eliminated in about 6 months, no one is hiring RNs but LPN is in demand, I wonder if I should take the NCLEX for LPN? I want work. Is this idea too drastic?

Yeah, not so cool while you're working & being paid as an LVN.

It's cool for me, depends how you look at things

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Specializes in RN-BC, SCRN.

I notice this is in the LTC forum - but I'm confused by the statement "no one is hiring RNs"? Do you mean in the LTC market? I know not everyone likes hospital jobs, but surely there are RN positions out there for you in other industries? I'm not sure why you would move down in pay and responsibilities rather than look outside LTC for an RN job? Not criticizing, I think RNs are very important in LTC and I wish you were valued more, just trying to understand the situation.

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Chances are low for having a scope of practice problem. Better to be paid LPN rate of pay than be earning zero as an unemployed RN.

Amen sister!

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Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Chances are low for having a scope of practice problem. Better to be paid LPN rate of pay than be earning zero as an unemployed RN.

I wouldn't do it. If the OPs place of employment knows he is an RN but working as an LVN, that could get the OP in some tricky waters.

Technically the OP *can* do what they ask *but* she shouldn't because she is employed as an LVN. So what does the OP do? If there is an emergency the OP is held to the RN license but is employed as an LVN.

No thank you!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

Do you love Kaiser that much? As soon as they can find a way around employing ANY licensed personnel, you'll be looking for a MA position with them. Personally, I think you are inadvertently training them on how to treat you and disregard you and your educational level by reverting to LPN status.

There are other jobs out there. You might have to drive a bit, or as another poster said, even relocate. A company may force me out of the job, but I'll be d***** if I'd allow any company to force me out of my status as an RN, especially since one of the reasons for obtaining the RN in the first place was to open not one door, but many. Of course, you must be willing to grasp and take full advantage of what exactly having an RN license means. Good luck to you!

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Specializes in Med nurse in med-surg., float, HH, and PDN.

I graduated long ago w/ an LPN, and worked through an agency for years. Sometimes I would do CNA work for a patient when I was working Home Health, and when I was through with his personal care, I'd 'change hats' and then did my nursing assessments, dsg changes, trach care, etc. That covered it for a patient who was difficult to cover on w/e's.

I think every state is different, though. With the agency I could switch back and forth, especially when it suited them .:sarcastic: I do remember, however, the DON had to and did clear it with the BoN.

Doubt any facility would be that flexible, especially now w/ all the changes; and having to remember which scope of practice you are using could make things tricky.

Even after I retired my license, but still worked doing PD as a CNA, I had to remind myself WHEN to bow out, even if I 'knew' what to do. It isn't always easy.

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I shared with my colleague at work my LPN plan to which they responded " that's a terrible idea, you won't be happy as a LPN, you won't feel good about yourself".

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This might not be so easy, I started reviewing with a few NCLEX review books....since I'm a LTC nurse I have forgotten all about peds and kids, plus the myriad of diseases not seen in LTC.

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I graduated long ago w/ an LPN, and worked through an agency for years. Sometimes I would do CNA work for a patient when I was working Home Health, and when I was through with his personal care, I'd 'change hats' and then did my nursing assessments, dsg changes, trach care, etc. That covered it for a patient who was difficult to cover on w/e's.

I think every state is different, though. With the agency I could switch back and forth, especially when it suited them .:sarcastic: I do remember, however, the DON had to and did clear it with the BoN.

Doubt any facility would be that flexible, especially now w/ all the changes; and having to remember which scope of practice you are using could make things tricky.

Even after I retired my license, but still worked doing PD as a CNA, I had to remind myself WHEN to bow out, even if I 'knew' what to do. It isn't always easy.

Well I welcome less responsibility, I'm not trying to move up any career ladder and I can handle the reduction in pay.... I need less stress.

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It is easy to look at the RN from the myoptics of the space we are in.

There are 3 .6 million of us and nursing schools are not closing in newsworthy numbers.

Please consider that although all nurses hold a degree and are subject to the provisions of the nurse practice act (e.g. scope, generally accepted standards)

As previously recommended look to another area of specialization , it may be that it's time to expand your nursing horizons (e.g. nurse regulator/nurse surveyor, Delegating Nurse/Case Manager (DN/CM) or Alternate DN/CM in Assisted Living setting, Adult Medical Day Care nursing, wound specialist, travelling .....

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I wouldn't do it. If the OPs place of employment knows he is an RN but working as an LVN, that could get the OP in some tricky waters.

Technically the OP *can* do what they ask *but* she shouldn't because she is employed as an LVN. So what does the OP do? If there is an emergency the OP is held to the RN license but is employed as an LVN.

No thank you!

What is an OP?

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It is easy to look at the RN from the myoptics of the space we are in.

There are 3 .6 million of us and nursing schools are not closing in newsworthy numbers.

Please consider that although all nurses hold a degree and are subject to the provisions of the nurse practice act (e.g. scope, generally accepted standards)

As previously recommended look to another area of specialization , it may be that it's time to expand your nursing horizons (e.g. nurse regulator/nurse surveyor, Delegating Nurse/Case Manager (DN/CM) or Alternate DN/CM in Assisted Living setting, Adult Medical Day Care nursing, wound specialist, travelling .....

Thanks, maybe but I want less responsibility not more.

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