So I have only been a LPN for 2 years now and I must say I am sick of it. Don't get me wrong, I love nursing and everything to do with Pt. care. I am really really interested in my work and do a lot of research on my own when I go home. Healthcare and the human body has always fascinated me and I have drive to be the best I can be at my job.
However I have to say it " I am sick of being a LPN" I am sick of having to defend my job and my knowledge. I am sick of being treated "lower than a RN" I am sick of Pt's or families asking "where is the RN" I am so sick feeling less than I am or could be. I don't want to to defend "LPN" anymore. I don't want to explain to anyone anymore that we are nurses too. I just want to hurry up and get back in school and get my BSN and the title RN so I can just relax and do my job and everyone will know that I am a nurse and I won't have to explain it to anyone.
Gaaa just have to wait 10 more months to start my bridge program. Seems like forever.
I've been an LPN for a decade. I've continued my education BUT NOT in Nursing. Right now I view nursing as a source of a pension, spending money, and in a few years I'm out of there. Why would I spend $30K (and 3 years in Uni in a course I have no interest in) to spike a blood or Travisol bag. The scope is so close in my province I make what a new grad RN makes and have no desire to be Charge. Couldn't pay me to do that job.
In fact, one of our patients said to our newest BScN hire "if you just follow that nurse over there (pointing to an LPN) she'll teach you everything you need to know and maybe in a few years you'll be as good a nurse as she is".
It's the human behind the title not the title that provides the care and knowledge.
Good for you!
I, too, would have been perfectly happy remaining an LPN for my entire nursing career (and had expected too.) However, the problem we now face here in Northern California is that LPNs are pretty much being regulated to the long-term care facilities only.
I'd always hoped on one day becoming a cardiac nurse (with psych nurse being a close second!) Now, in order to find employment in a real, honest-to-God hospital here, I have to get my RN.
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Good for you!
I, too, would have been perfectly happy remaining an LPN for my entire nursing career (and had expected too.) However, the problem we now face here in Northern California is that LPNs are pretty much being regulated to the long-term care facilities only.
I'd always hoped on one day becoming a cardiac nurse (with psych nurse being a close second!) Now, in order to find employment in a real, honest-to-God hospital here, I have to get my RN.
That is definitely understandable! If one needs to further their education to get where they wish to be in their careers, I support them all the way! And, yes, geographics plays an important role regarding what is available to LPNs. I wish you luck and success in your future plans.
Hmm...honestly I have only been questioned about my title just a few times in the past 3 years that I have been a nurse. I was asked ONE time if I was a lady's MED TECH...but I immediately corrected that person and told her that I was a nurse NOT a med tech and that we dont use med techs of any kind (where I work thank GOD). I also work with a few RN's....and out of the 3 only 1 actually has a clue about what shes doing. The other 2 dont know how to put orders on a MAR correctly and they NEVER EVER chart. One RN sent a resident out to the ER....never wrote a note or anything, but neither did the LPN who was responsible for that resident...which she was admitted for a few days and came back...thats when the next note was written (upon readmission)....They both will put a new order on a mar and wont put the date it was written or when its supposed to start or anything on it....which we...the LPNS have to go fix. These other 2 RNs dont know how to do an admission and 1 of them wont ever call the MD for anything.....they let labs sit there for hours and hours til we come in on 2nd shift and then if Im working I have to take care of it. Gets old. I guess Im lucky in a sense that when I go in to work my families actually know who I am and what I am. They always come to me before they go anywhere else. If I cant help them I refer them to the next person that most likely can help them. It seems like you FEEL like you are less of a nurse because you're not an RN simply because others dont know the difference.
I have a question for the LPN's-I have asked on other posts about getting into nursing-I have a degree and work in Accounting (shoot me in the head)-anyway, a lot of people tell me NOT to become an LPN first-why? I have no healthcare experience and for me training for a second career seems a little overwhelming-if I become an LPN isn't that a nurse? Won't that be the stepping stone I need if I want to further my education if I want? Also for the person who is sick of being an LPN-it happens in other fields as well-everyone asks to speak with the CPA and the CFO-because I don't have tha title people think I'm dumb...trust me you have a have thick skin-I could care less-I do the best job I can everyday...
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I have a question for the LPN's-I have asked on other posts about getting into nursing-I have a degree and work in Accounting (shoot me in the head)-anyway, a lot of people tell me NOT to become an LPN first-why? I have no healthcare experience and for me training for a second career seems a little overwhelming-if I become an LPN isn't that a nurse? Won't that be the stepping stone I need if I want to further my education if I want? Also for the person who is sick of being an LPN-it happens in other fields as well-everyone asks to speak with the CPA and the CFO-because I don't have tha title people think I'm dumb...trust me you have a have thick skin-I could care less-I do the best job I can everyday...
Most people advise to go straight for the RN because of increased job opportunities and respect gained by their peers. In addition, it cuts through the chase for those truly interested in becoming RNs. The down side (strongly depending on where you live) is that RN programs can be notorious for long waiting lists, require VERY high GPAs and that sort of bars many people from gettting in on a timely basis. LPN can and is a stepping stone to furthering your education in nursing. If possible, try not to enter into a vocational program because in most cases, their credits are not transferrable to most colleges; if you find a community college that offers the LPN program that may be better.
When it is time for a person to grow, they will make it happen. There are more opportunities than before to transition into RN programs via on line study (such as Excelsior-IF your state accepts Excelsior credits), LPN to RN bridge programs and advanced standing in traditional RN programs, provided that you took college level pre-requisites (and earned no less than a B average in the majority of cases). I would strongly consider looking into the LPN market in your area. Some hospitals no longer hire LPNs, or if you live in an area that has many LPN programs, it may be harder to find a position upon graduation. Best of luck!
Wow Thanks for the great advice! I need to do a little more research-I live in Florida-hardley any schools have nursing (any that are in a 50 mile radius)and massive waiting lists-
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Wow Thanks for the great advice! I need to do a little more research-I live in Florida-hardley any schools have nursing (any that are in a 50 mile radius)and massive waiting lists-
Specializes in LTC, Neurology, Rehab, Pain Management,.
I've been an LPN for going on 18 years. I consider myself a "little pretty nurse." Not a "L'Peon," like one of my co-workers said. I am smart. I work very hard and I'm competent and with good common sense. I take my job very seriously and I do my job efficiently. I've grown thick skinned, as I have been very mistreated over the years. I feel I am in prison every day at work. Working for someone who has no people skills, a nurse manager who chose to have no children of her own, who does not have a hair of compassion on her head for people who work hard, never call in and who are loyal. I've cried so many tears for the last five years that she has been our nurse manager that I'm just doing my time, until the time is right for me to move on. With the economy the way it is, I'm stuck for now. Realistically, it'll be about 6 more years before I get paroled from this hellish experience I'm living every day. It hasn't always been this way, just for the past five years. I'm a survivor. I am strong. I have the wherewithal to continue. I see the slightest glimmer of light at the end of a very long dark tunnel. I have no desire getting my RN. I never want to treat people the way so many RN's have treated me. I am content being an LPN.
I've been an LPN for going on 18 years. I consider myself a "little pretty nurse." Not a "L'Peon," like one of my co-workers said. I am smart. I work very hard and I'm competent and with good common sense. I take my job very seriously and I do my job efficiently. I've grown thick skinned, as I have been very mistreated over the years. I feel I am in prison every day at work. Working for someone who has no people skills, a nurse manager who chose to have no children of her own, who does not have a hair of compassion on her head for people who work hard, never call in and who are loyal. I've cried so many tears for the last five years that she has been our nurse manager that I'm just doing my time, until the time is right for me to move on. With the economy the way it is, I'm stuck for now. Realistically, it'll be about 6 more years before I get paroled from this hellish experience I'm living every day. It hasn't always been this way, just for the past five years. I'm a survivor. I am strong. I have the wherewithal to continue. I see the slightest glimmer of light at the end of a very long dark tunnel. I have no desire getting my RN. I never want to treat people the way so many RN's have treated me. I am content being an LPN.
Wow! What can I say..I'm sorry and I'm sure you are a great nurse! If it gives you any comfort that kind of thing happens in all careers-I worked for a company where no one had people skills-keep your head high knowing that you make a difference! :heartbeat
Sounds like things are pretty rough blondieNH. I applaud your tenacity in a difficult situation, I couldn't do it. I'd like to share a different perspective, and please don't read any criticism into this. Absolutely none intended. You're LPN career has been 18 yrs in the making, the last 5 of which have been a "prison" and you feel stuck for another 6 yrs before you get "paroled from this hellish experience". That's 11 yrs of a 24 yr career that will have been bad. That's a long time to be miserable. Nursing is hard enough without that. I know you must love nursing, your patients and facility and that's why you stay in your current position, but at what cost? I sincerely hope you find a solution. A friend shared the following with me during a difficult time I was experiencing, I hope it helps: 2Timothy 1:6,7
asoonernurse
246 Posts
Good for you!
I, too, would have been perfectly happy remaining an LPN for my entire nursing career (and had expected too.) However, the problem we now face here in Northern California is that LPNs are pretty much being regulated to the long-term care facilities only.
I'd always hoped on one day becoming a cardiac nurse (with psych nurse being a close second!) Now, in order to find employment in a real, honest-to-God hospital here, I have to get my RN.