pros and cons

susan51659 · Jan 6, 2013

Ive been an LVN for 35 yrs. I have worked in hospitals,nursing homes and homecare. As an LVN you are limited in some things.....i am also iv certified so i can start peripheral ivs, and in blood draws so i can do that. RNs have more training . Being an LVN is not bad your just limited in your skills. I have learned alot from RNs over the years so having the knowledge helps my patients.

T-Bird78 · Jan 7, 2013

I'm an LPN and only work in medical offices because I'd rather have my evenings, weekends, and holidays home with my family. RNs don't have many options in doctor's offices and I'm not looking for hospital work--yet. :)

akanini, MSN, RN · Jan 8, 2013

I was an LPN for four years before becoming an RN. Although it opened many doors for me, it closed a lot as well. I hated people telling me I couldn't do this and that because I was only an LPN. It's annoying. I was also working in LTC, and some supervisors wanted the LPNs to start IVs and knew we weren't allowed to. I decided that enough was enough. Everyone has to reach their "self actualization" point and I felt that LPN just wasn't enough for me.

Yazmin-Lilly · Jan 10, 2013

Thank you for your responses.

I talked to a few advisors at the school and they basically told me that LVNs could ONLY work in nursing homes and that it was a "pretty nasty job". I was told negative things about it which it kind of discouraged me. Beforehand, I researched some real life experiences and stories from LVNs and most sounded very positive. However, these school advisors have confused me.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jan 10, 2013

Thank you for your responses.
I talked to a few advisors at the school and they basically told me that LVNs could ONLY work in nursing homes and that it was a "pretty nasty job". I was told negative things about it which it kind of discouraged me. Beforehand, I researched some real life experiences and stories from LVNs and most sounded very positive. However, these school advisors have confused me.

Are you thinking of attending a for-profit trade school? If so, many of the so-called 'advisors' and 'admissions representatives' are known to steer prospective students into other programs that are harder to fill such as medical assisting, dental assisting, surgical technology, and so forth.

The LVN program basically 'sells itself' at for-profit schools, so these 'advisors' attempt to sway students into enrolling in other programs that are a harder sell.

Yazmin-Lilly · Jan 10, 2013

Are you thinking of attending a for-profit trade school? If so, many of the so-called 'advisors' and 'admissions representatives' are known to steer prospective students into other programs that are harder to fill such as medical assisting, dental assisting, surgical technology, and so forth.
The LVN program basically 'sells itself' at for-profit schools, so these 'advisors' attempt to sway students into enrolling in other programs that are a harder sell.

Yes, it is. That is absolutely what they were trying to do! They started telling about their MA program and how it would be much easier and more job opportunities. And if I still wanted to do nursing after that then I could go into LVN.

I see now that they were only trying to get me to do what benefited the school.

akanini, MSN, RN · Jan 10, 2013

Be careful with that. That's going on right here in NY and Medical Assistants aren't finding jobs. When I was in LPN school, there were five students that had already completed a Medical Assistant program.

Ty2013 · Jan 10, 2013

It is a better way to go than going to school for RN first. When you graduate, you will be able to get a job in a nursing home, mental health clinic and get some experience while you train for your RN. At least this way, by the time you graduate as an RN you will always have 1+ year of experience. I know many LPNs who however choose not to get their RN and are very happy working as LPN's. Many are just as or more knowledgeable than the RN's. So its a win-win situation doing LPN first! Good luck in your endeavours!

Keep_Calm · Jan 11, 2013

It really depends on your goals. I am an LPN (9years) working part time with 2 kids going back to school for my RN. If I could do it all over, I would have just went for RN from the beginning. If you think there is ANY chance at all that you would want to be an RN, and especially if you don't have a family, go for the RN now. It also depends on what you really want to do after you graduate and what state you live in. If you want to do hospital work, critical care, trauma, etc. go for your RN right off the bat. I worked at the local hospital right out of school and absolutely loved it, but decided to take time off for my kids. Now I can't get hired again until I'm an RN. I work in a nursing home now. The pay is ok, but I really don't care for the pill pushing. As an RN there are SO SO SO many more options. You try one specialty and don't love it, you can try something else. As an LPN/LVN there aren't as many options...at least not where I live.

I also agree with Ty2013, (that was my exact thinking when I ditched RN school for LPN...) I have gained a ton of experience as an LPN and am probably more competent than some of the RNs at my facility. I think it all boils down to your career goals, employment in your state, and your current life situation.

I suggest you look up the scope of practice for LVNs and RNs in your state. Also, search for LVN and RN jobs in your area and see which places hire which. That way, you know what kind of work you'll be doing with either license.

Good luck in whichever you decide! I don't think either way you can really go to wrong. :)

Philly_LPN_Girl, LPN · Jan 12, 2013

Yes, it is. That is absolutely what they were trying to do! They started telling about their MA program and how it would be much easier and more job opportunities. And if I still wanted to do nursing after that then I could go into LVN.
I see now that they were only trying to get me to do what benefited the school.

LVN/LPN are just limited to where they could work which is mostly LTC, rehab centers, nursing homes, home health, etc and cant do evrrything an RN can do such as pushing IV meds other than that, you can make a pretty decent living, get decent benefits, and could make it easier to get your RN.

Many schools tell you to work your way up and tell you to do MA first then come back for Lpn which is not only a total big lie, they are doing that for more money as well and my school told a few people that same lie.

nurseywifeymommy1 · Jan 12, 2013

MAs don't do it. Some states don't recognize the certificate and most of the time credits don't transfer. Do the Lpn or RN ur education is safer.