Thinking about LPN instead of Rn now.

macky30 · Mar 17, 2006

I am a LPN, going on for my RN. Being a LPN is very limited and lower pay. I personal believe they should get rid of the LPN field all together. I only went into LPN because Rn school was a two year wait list. So if your in school do whatever you can to finish because it is so worth it.

shah · Mar 17, 2006

Your best option is to stick out somehow. LPN's are losing ground. Opportunities are shrinking, pays are sticking, they don't get respect, they are cheap RN's, that is they end up doing the same job (yes even admission assessment tha is signed off by the RN) and get paid less. Some RNs think they can yell at LPNs too.

If you still cannot make it, good. Stick to nursing homes and Long Term Care. You get paid more than in acute care, get more respect and have more apportunity. LTC's pay > $ 20.00/hr in TX and like $ weekend differential with benefits.

monkeymonk · May 2, 2006

To put things clearly, I am an LPN at this time working on my RN bridge. Had I known that I was going to spend only half the time in school for the RN program than in the LPN program, I would have done so. The LPN program is Mon. - Fri. all day and sometimes clinicals on the weekends. You will be lectured on several diff. topics at the same time and expect a test everyday. At one point we were at the tail end of fundamentals, middle of A&P, and starting pharm. It is a lot of material jam packed into ten months. Correct me if I am wrong but most of my RN program friends are in class two to three days a week at most and one clinical day. LPNs are paid half what RNs make yet are expected to perform as RNs do. In my work place the only thing I cannot do is IV pushes. They have a way around everything to use the LPNs as RN. We are cheap labor. So stick to school, we might as well be paid for the job we do. Good luck.

J Lynn · May 6, 2006

If you want to work in a Doctor's office, LPN may be the way to go. In my area, docs only hire LPNs, CNAs, or MAs. They don't want to pay for a RN. I made 10.50/hr right out of school. Depending on where you live, it may be higher. Also, some docs will train you to assist them in proceedures, something you won't learn in school.

hcmanp, NP · May 7, 2006

NONONONONONO

Stick your nose back in your books, suck it up and finish. You will regret it if you stop before you do your absolute utmost to reach your goals. Study all summer if you must. Find a study buddy. (one who will really study not chit chat) Talk to your teachers. Trust me, they want you to succeed. (even though it does not seem like it sometimes). Put your head down, horns out and push through. (no, this is not your mom)

kgkarma · May 7, 2006

I am a LPN, going on for my RN. Being a LPN is very limited and lower pay.
I personal believe they should get rid of the LPN field all together.
Intersting that you of all people think they should get rid of the LPN field. If it didn't exist, you wouldn't have the job you have nor would you have the opportunity to become an RN.
I'll be starting the LPN program in August and like you plan to bridge to the RN program. I certainly don't think I have enough knowledge nor feel as though I'm in the position to knock someone that wants to be an LPN. With the economy the way it is in the U.S., perhaps some have no choice financially, and others are quite satisfied being an LPN. Also, I understand that there is a nursing shortage. Since people are living longer, someone needs to take care of these people. It seems as though it's the LPN's that are performing that service.

stevenking, BSN, RN · May 8, 2006

Having been an LPN for six years - there is definitely a field for LPN's.

Now, with that in mind --- if you want to be in the business and have the opportunity to attain your RN --- why would you not do it? I have met long term LPN's (with 25 years experience) that are utilized to train RN's. Why haven't they returned to school? Who knows...they'd make fabulous RN's.

Please bear in mind...if you critically evaluate any profession, you make a better upper tier employee if you've spent time in the trenches, so to speak. For instance, in the military the best officers are the ones who were enlisted to start. They understand what others feel and are going through.

It's the same way in nursing...if you can go straight for the RN...you'd be silly not to. Higher pay, more opportunities, more chances for advancement (CNS, CRNA, NP, etc.). I think the overwhelming majority of LPN's ought to consider "trading up" to take their valuable experience to various clinical settings throughout nursing.

Should the LPN position be eliminated? Of course not. Healthcare is not for everyone...sometimes the LPN position serves as a fitting entry level trial. I have met people who have attained their LPN only to realize that healthcare wasn't really what they wanted to do. As I have told students and colleagues before, whatever your current level...do it to the best of your ability. If you can advance, then advance.

Just my $.02,

Steven King

The Kingster†

Looks like I'll be starting the LPN to BSN program at Indiana State U this Fall.

RNGrad2006 · May 21, 2006

I agree with many of these posts. I trained as an LPN but did not work long before transitioning into the RN program but I do feel because I have worked in different areas I have more understanding of what LPN's do as well as what RN's do. However, that being said I also have so much admiration for RN's. I never realized how high the expectations are of RN's. The responsibility is so much higher too!!!! I got straight A's in my PN year but my RN year at one point I barely made it partly due to getting Pneumonia half way through my 2nd last quarter. But it is possible. I agree with all of the posts where people encouraged you to persevere. It is so worth it!!!! I just graduated March of 2006 and am now a working RN. I am working for the hospital but got a position as an office nurse. I don't feel I am gaining the skills I learned in school but am learning a lot theoretically in this specialty. It is definitely not stressful that is for sure and I consider myself lucky to be paid as well as I am. The perks are all days Monday to Friday and no shift work. I am hoping to after 6 months, be able to work med/surg to get some experience but my ultimate goals are to get my BSN and work in home care. I really love working with people and don't feel you really have the time to do so in a typical staff nursing hospital position. So carry on don't give up. In my school they offer a LPN course to learn the role of a RN after your first year and some people work as a LPN for a while and then return to the 2nd year of the RN ADN later. Some feel it is easier to just carry on with school when you are in the student mode and some feel the extra experience gives you more confidence. I think both are valid arguments but I personally feel that once you get working it is harder to go back to school and some of the pre-reqs like A&P and Microbiology are not accepted after 5 years or so. Hope this helps but I think having a great support system really helps. It worked for me!!!!

SweetMelissa · Jun 4, 2006

Hi. The LPN being phased out comment is not necessarily true everywhere. It depends on where you live. In OHIO, LPN's are far from being phased out. We have a total of 5 on our ortho unit alone.

If you can stick it out, try to complete the RN program. I am taking the LPN to RN route.

Good luck to you!