A similar subject was brought up in one of the other allnurses forum, so, I want to ask it here out of curiousity...is there anyone satisfied with being an LPN and has decided to remain one?
I ask this because of the age-old threads of people not considering LPNs as nurses, etc...
I wanted to be a nurse for a long time, and learned the difference between the LPN and RN about 10 years ago, when I attended medical assisting school. I made the choice way back then that while I have the highest respect for RNs, I never wanted to be one...I just wanted to be a nurse.
Two years ago, my job (I worked as a Patient Care Associate-the equivilant to a Medical Assistant in my hospital), offered a program that allowed those chosen to attend college to become either an LPN or RN while on a complete leave of absence with pay while paying tuition as well. I was on many committees at my job and was very active, so, I applied and was accepted along with about 100 other people (over 600 applied). I told them immediately that I wanted LPN, not RN. I had a competitive GPA (3.6), and my job continued to try and convince me to become an RN, but I vehemently refused, because I did not want their responsibility, even though the money is better. What I was mainly looking for was mobility, not status. People looked at me like I was completely insane, because they felt that since there would be no out of pocket cost to me, then I should have gone for RN. But, I felt that I should not do it simply because it was there, and why kill myself, even for free for a job that I don't want??
Anyways, I completed the LPN program and graduated Salutatorian of the class and I returned to my job where they had to give me a job since they sponsored my education. The first thing I continue to hear is "When are you going for your RN?" or "Why do you just want to be an LPN...you did so well". Well, it is INSULTING to me. I am not out there robbing people of their hard earned money, nor am I disgruntled about my position. For one, while I am extremely grateful that I was offered this opportunity, and am happy to be a nurse, I have to say that I absolutely HATED nursing school. Being crowded with students that were petty, jealous and competitive and seeing how the instructors I had were disorganized butt holes, and such, I had made clear decision that I would complete this program and never enter into another nursing program, even if it killed me. I didn't even attend graduation to receive my awards, because I hated it so much and was glad to be away. By the way, I never once regretted not attending.
While, at first, it was really annoying that some people really didn't consider me to be a nurse, it became less and less important to me when I began to see the stress that the RNs are under (whether they were good or bad nurses) and I know that I want nothing to do with their headaches and issues. Now, I have signed up at an agency on the side, and for the next two months, I will be a flu nurse, then, this agency also has wellness clinics, home care, detox assignments, nursing homes and other hospitals. This is what makes me happy...being able to go to other places to make extra money. I do well where I am working now...many of the RNs compliment me, but then, here comes the famous question..."WHEN will you become an RN?". It gets me to the point where I start to become almost insulting. I told the Staff Educator that if she is waiting for this to happen and decided to hold her breath, then she would certainly be dead...because it is NOT happening.
This is not to insult any of the RNs, or the LPNs that are continuing to pursue their education...I can cheer all of you on...but for me, the buck stops here, because I want to adjust to this and reclaim my life. At first, I thought I was crazy, but, now, I realize, I'm NOT...I am doing what is right for me. But what I find to be annoying is that there are people that wish to instill uninvited advice into my life (that has ALWAYS been my PET peeve). ANyone else feeling this way?
