To all LPN's continuing their education....

Zigwan · Mar 13, 2007

I'm learning alot more...what I don't like it that the information is literally being crammed down our throats. I feel primarily school has been a lesson in endurance! I would like more time to learn, and more clinical hours to integrate what theory and skills I've learned in class. One of my instructors said to me during a clinical session, "you're (the students) not novices any longer"... I thought that statement was ludicrous. Of course I'm a novice! There is so much information to memorize and then apply in the field. How could a Teacher seriously say that to a nursing student?

What do you think?

pat8585 · Mar 13, 2007

Thanks for your answer. I am not currently in a nursing program.

I plan to start LPN in the fall. I keep hearing over and over (mainly thru this board) that lpn's are not as respected as RN and do not have the job opportunities Rn's do.

I have also heard that LPN's can do ALOT of RN nursing methods ...with just several exceptions. Not sure exactly of what those exceptions are.

So anyway..just wondering if going for hte RN is something I will want to pursue down the road..or if LPN will be sufficient.

Also,,real world is a heck of alot different then school!!

good luck to you!

pagandeva2000, LPN · Mar 13, 2007

I have heard that RNs learn more detail about the same things that we learned, but am not sure. I did peek at their textbooks, and found that they had more information than what I would be interested in learning. I had a friend that attended RN school that actually used LPN textbooks the whole time. He told me that he wanted to just comprehend the main points and heck, I can't argue that. He was one of the top 7 in his class, from what my friends tell me. He said that he didn't see why it took 10 pages to understand the same thing in 3.

I do think that the RN gains more theory and more pathophysiology in their courses. And, the same for anyone walking into an intense course, there is never enough time to cram in all of that information. There were a few LPNs that entered into Med-Surg for the RN level and failed out because they were overwhelmed. I guess it all means that you have to focus, no matter what.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Mar 13, 2007

Thanks for your answer. I am not currently in a nursing program.
I plan to start LPN in the fall. I keep hearing over and over (mainly thru this board) that lpn's are not as respected as RN and do not have the job opportunities Rn's do.
I have also heard that LPN's can do ALOT of RN nursing methods ...with just several exceptions. Not sure exactly of what those exceptions are.
So anyway..just wondering if going for hte RN is something I will want to pursue down the road..or if LPN will be sufficient.
Also,,real world is a heck of alot different then school!!
good luck to you!

What you can consider doing is visiting the library and getting both, LPN and RN books and sort of compare the intensity...just for fun. Either way, it can be a cram session, because the LPN course is completed within 9 months to two years, with no breaks; the RN course gives more theory and takes longer.

LindseyLou2222, RN · Mar 14, 2007

I feel like most of it is a review, but reviewing never hurt anybody :lol2: My program is an LPN-RN bridge course. My school is very good about pointing out the changes in our roles with each coordinating unit we cover. We had an IV course prior to starting last june, that was very helpful as I was not very familiar with IV's.

MelodyRNurse · Mar 14, 2007

HI,

In my program we are using the same books that we used in first year. We had many books in which we only studied a few chapters, so were making up for all that now. It is definitely in more detail, but its very interesting and I'm finally getting to learn some of the skills and concepts that I thought I would learn in LPN school but never did. There is a lot less clinical days and a lot more studying required for RN courses here. I think I would be okay will working as a practical nurse if I could work in an acute care setting. There are probably 50 postings for RN's to every one posting for LPN's in this area. So, here, there are definitely more opportunities for Registered nurses. I guess it all depends on your long term career goals and how much you are willing to endure to get there. Goodluck!!

dmarie (GA) · Mar 16, 2007

Becoming an LPN at first can be a great way to start your nursing career. You get lots of clinical practice and a basic overview of everything you'll see in the RN program. It helps to get your feet wet.

The RN program is more in depth --- but the main challenge is not memorizing every word in the textbook. The real challenge is learning to take those tests and answer those questions in which all options are correct....you have to choose the MOST correct. Very tricky and difficult test questions.

For LPNs planning to bridge over --- get the Kaplan NCLEX-RN review book and start taking those tests. There is an art to answering those questions, and Kaplan is one of the best.

midcom · Mar 17, 2007

I have also heard that LPN's can do ALOT of RN nursing methods ...with just several exceptions. Not sure exactly of what those exceptions are.

You might want to find your particular state's board of nursing website & check out the scope of practice for LPN & RNs in your state. That will give you a bit if an understanding of the differences.

Dixie

CHATSDALE · Mar 17, 2007

being an lpn with practical experience will have to be valuable . most rn schools have separate classes for new students with some training, ie lpn,

emt, variety of hosp tech because they have a better grasp of the whole setting

however if you have a chance to go directly into rn school i would certainly urge you to do that

AdobeRN · Mar 17, 2007

We are learning the same things I learned in LVN school only a little more in depth - for cardiac info in LVN school we learned alot of theory and was basically shown how to read a normal EKG strip. In RN school we basically had the same cardiac lecture except we were required to know all abnormal EKG strips, how to read them, treatments etc, we also went into great detail of hemodynamics.

mary23 · Mar 17, 2007

I am currently enroled in a transition program, as well. As far as the material it is more detailed and th care plans aren't even close to the same! My LPN care plans were about 10 pages on average and the curretn one is already 20 so it is more indepth. My instructor always says you will now be the RN in the situation and therefor you will need to think critically and deeper... I don't mind the material its the load, a lot comes at you very fast; while some is review some is just at a much much deeper level.