Reconsidering LPN/nursing after reading online blogs

caliotter3 · Apr 10, 2009

I would never base a serious life decision on only the input from a public bulletin board. You have to take into consideration that many of the posts you reference are made by people who vent about their frustrations in an anonymous venue. People who are happy and satisfied are just not widely represented for various reasons. If you don't take up nursing, what about your other options? You need to think this out for the long run as well as the short run. Good luck in pursuing what gives you satisfaction and contributes to your happiness.

Dawn674 · Apr 10, 2009

I completely agee with you and would never base such a huge decision on online boards only. It is also people I know and speak to. Becoming a nurse is in my heart and I know I have a lot to think about.... Thank you for your feedback!!

caliotter3 · Apr 10, 2009

I'll have to be honest with you, I was utterly flabbergasted when I got to my first job. I was mistakenly assuming that people went into nursing because they care about people and wanted to help others. When I saw behavior that consistently and overwhelmingly suggested otherwise, my rose colored glasses came off. Reluctantly I realized that I needed to keep my altruistic opinions to myself if I wanted to survive, but that doesn't mean that nursing is not a good career. You just have to look for workplaces that have a more positive atmosphere and associate with positive people.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Apr 10, 2009

I believe that first, you should look into the job market for LPNs in your immediate area; what sorts of jobs are available and where? Is it limited to nursing homes, or is there a wider berth of opportunities? What is the going rate of pay? That is the main issue to me, because no matter what happens, it may be a waste of time, money and energy to invest into education if you cannot find a position.

As mentioned, do not pay attention to what others think. You'll see miserable doctors, registered nurses, nursing assistants and accountants. You need to know what is best for you, first. And, if being an LPN is attractive to you, then see whether or not your opportunities would be limited. I am happy being an LPN, have no intention of becoming an RN and have found plenty of opportunities that I am interested in, that make me feel like a valuable nurse. Best wishes!

ITsurvivor06 · Apr 10, 2009

Dawn, I agree with caliotter3 that a positive working environment makes a huge difference. Please don't give up your dream--you clearly have a nurse's heart! I became a LPN at the age of 48. I have been working for two years on the rehab unit of a LTC facility. There are awful facilities to be sure, but RESEARCH before you decide where to work. Go the the medicare website, learn which facilities have the most citations. I love my job, love working with the elderly, and where I work there is a team spirit and focus on the residents that makes the work very rewarding. You will be exhausted at the end of every day, you will have very emotional experiences many days, but there is nothing else that compares with having a positive impact on people who come to trust and depend on you for their care. I LOVE NURSING!!!!

Jules A, MSN · Apr 11, 2009

Be realistic but surely don't not become a nurse because of some jaded discussions you have read. I'm very happy with my decision to become a LPN first. I went on because I longed for more opportunities but even in hindsight I would have done it the same way. Sadly there are miserable people in all occupations and I only wish that they would find the courage to make a change and spare us their unhappiness.

tammy07 · Apr 11, 2009

I agree with the others I have also vented in this forum but thats how I felt that day not everyday..being a nurse is great.......

Ling07 · Apr 14, 2009

I am supposed to start school in August to become an LPN. I have always wanted to be a nurse and I was very excited about it... that is until I started reading online blogs. All I hear about is how there are no jobs, they can't work in hospitals anymore, LPN's are not "real" nurses and the nightmares of working in LTC. Occasionally I will read a positive thread which I always enjoy but the majority is so depressing. Needless to say, I am now reconsidering my decision. I have wanted to become a Nurse for so many reasons and one of them is job security. But after coming online I am extremely discouraged. I guess these difficult economic times don't help very much either....

Are you just referring to your pursuit as an LPN?? If so, I know how you feel. I'm having second thoughts as well. Everyone tells me to just go after an RN, but sometimes it's just not that simple. Unlike the other posters on here, I'm going to tell you to think real hard about your decision. That's what I'm doing now. Everyday I'm thinking "RN or LPN, RN or LPN." I just don't know, UGHHHHHHH. But we have to make a decision eventually. I say find a few nurses and talk with them.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Apr 14, 2009

Are you just referring to your pursuit as an LPN?? If so, I know how you feel. I'm having second thoughts as well. Everyone tells me to just go after an RN, but sometimes it's just not that simple. Unlike the other posters on here, I'm going to tell you to think real hard about your decision. That's what I'm doing now. Everyday I'm thinking "RN or LPN, RN or LPN." I just don't know, UGHHHHHHH. But we have to make a decision eventually. I say find a few nurses and talk with them.

It is true, sometimes, it is not that simple. If you are residing in an area where RN programs are highly competitive, long waiting lists and even if one is unfortunate enough to be able to obtain an incredibly high GPA, then, it is not that simple to 'just go after the RN'. I am not saying it is impossible, however. Some people feel they do not have time or money on their side. Others may find that while they are waiting on that 5 year waiting list, they could have completed 2 LPN programs and then applied to an on line LPN to RN program, or could have discovered that after becoming an LPN that they want to run for the hills away from the entire nursing career, and moved on to something else.

I still say to start looking at the job market for LPNs within the immediate area to see before ANY time is wasted on pursuing it. To me, nothing is worse than going through any program only to discover that they are having difficulty obtaining a job (which, right now, seems to be almost the same issue for new grad RNs because of the economy). I have an associate that obtained his LPN and is currently working home care cases while returning for his RN. He told me that he studies all night, has enough time to attend classes and gets decent money for now. He is not running around in a nursing home, getting off late and being dog-tired. He laughs and says he'll get to that when he becomes a Registered Nurse. Just because one starts as an LPN does not mean that they are committed to remain one! :yeah:

caliotter3 · Apr 14, 2009

Just because one starts as an LPN does not mean that they are committed to remain one!

You could start as an LPN and find yourself getting fired up about nursing. Down the road you could forge on to become an advanced practice nurse with your MSN, DNP, or PhD in nursing. Or even a JD. And with an impressive career to boot. So don't let yourself be limited by the negatives.

Ling07 · Apr 14, 2009

It is true, sometimes, it is not that simple. If you are residing in an area where RN programs are highly competitive, long waiting lists and even if one is unfortunate enough to be able to obtain an incredibly high GPA, then, it is not that simple to 'just go after the RN'. I am not saying it is impossible, however. Some people feel they do not have time or money on their side. Others may find that while they are waiting on that 5 year waiting list, they could have completed 2 LPN programs and then applied to an on line LPN to RN program, or could have discovered that after becoming an LPN that they want to run for the hills away from the entire nursing career, and moved on to something else.
I still say to start looking at the job market for LPNs within the immediate area to see before ANY time is wasted on pursuing it. To me, nothing is worse than going through any program only to discover that they are having difficulty obtaining a job (which, right now, seems to be almost the same issue for new grad RNs because of the economy). I have an associate that obtained his LPN and is currently working home care cases while returning for his RN. He told me that he studies all night, has enough time to attend classes and gets decent money for now. He is not running around in a nursing home, getting off late and being dog-tired. He laughs and says he'll get to that when he becomes a Registered Nurse. Just because one starts as an LPN does not mean that they are committed to remain one!

Do you know why he is pursuing an RN now? I'm having this debate with myself because I am tired of school. I already have a Bachelors degree. I took an additional year of classes two years ago. And I recently graduated from a Nursing Assistant class last month. I am tired. I am ready to start working and living my life. So I'm having this LPN/RN debate with myself because I want to pursue something and stay with it for a long time.