To other LPN's that went through RN school

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Specializes in Geriatrics, DD, Peri-op.

I have some issues. I just completed the ADN program (waiting to take boards) and I'm kind of confused. I knew that RN school was going to be different than LPN school because I have prior "nursing" experience. What I didn't realize is the way I would feel.

Let me put it on the line. Basically, I have had tremendous respect for RNs. I always thought they learned so much more than we did in LPN school. But, I just spent a year doing what could have been done in about 6 months. The only "technical" skills I did in school that I had not done before had to do with IV's (pushes, central lines, etc.) I am already proficient in trachs, g-tubes, IMs, IDs, SQs, med pass, foleys, and dressing changes. The theory side didn't seem to go as indepth as I thought it would and a lot of was remembering what I had forgotten.

I guess I'm just disappointed. I thought that I would feel differently. I thought that I would feel like an RN. Instead I feel the same. I, also, feel that the past year was a big waste because it could have been done in a shorter time frame.

Someone that simply went through the RN program without having been an LPN thinks they are so much more educationally prepared but I'm not so sure.

Has anyone else had this problem or is it just me? I don't mean this to start a debate. I just want to know if anyone else has had the same feelings.

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I sorta felt the same way too...but i think it is important to remember, like any program, what you learn is sorta basic. The real issue is the vast number of doors that you have now opened for yourself....I think when you bridge, you do sorta feel like you should know sooooo much more...like you feel like you've been cheated if you aren't now prepared to work ICU, but the reality of it is, is that the ADN education is fairly basic...and any sort of speciality you may go into will require extra learning/precepting time. I think you will feel alittle different once you really get to working...one of the things I noticed to "feel" different is the reality that your responsibility level greatly increases...and that now there is another group of people (lpn's) that you are now supervising. Don't get discouraged....maybe go into a specialty so that you can get futher training and "feel" like your a real nurse... :saint:

Either way....congrats!!!

Kathryn

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Specializes in Geriatrics, DD, Peri-op.

Thanks. And, you're right. I will probably feel differently when I assume the RN role. One of my biggest motivators for finishing RN school was for the different opportunities open to me.

However, just to clarify for the readers, I've always felt like a nurse just thought it would be different after I finished RN school. That's what everyone told me, anyway. :uhoh3: :chuckle

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i totally understand how u feel! but i never thought that i would feel different. i guess i heard too many of those 'i thought you WERE an rn' from people over the years...so much of it seems to be a mindset and advanced learning in the field u want to go in. all of the rn's that i have spoken with that were originally lpns told me that they didn't really learn anything in rn school...this is different schools, different states. so it seems like lots of hoops to go thru for the same thing, at my job there is only ONE thing different in the job descriptions so there u go. but like the other poster said, it opens tons of doors and is the gateway to furthering your degree if u want it. i am also waiting for boards, so good luck to u!:p

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Specializes in LTC, ER.

i felt like i learned alot of info that i did not learn in lpn school. it may have something to do with where you went to lpn school. if your program was college based, you probably got a way better lpn education than i did because my lpn education was through a vocational/adult education facility. when i went to rn school, everything was alot more indepth than in lpn school. it's like when i was in lpn school, we learned all about the different diseases and the nursing implications, but in rn school we learned that plus pathophys.

michelle, probably you don't feel like you learned a whole lot in the rn program, because you had a large knowledge base to begin with. a person who is just starting from scratch in the rn program, is going to learn alot. i do agree with the other posters that one of the greatest benefits of going back to get the rn is the multitude of doors that would otherwise not be opened to you. anyway, congrats on your achievement, believe me, when you get that registered nurse license in the mail, you will feel different!

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Specializes in hospice.

Where did you do your LPN, and where did you complete your RN? It might be that your LPN school was exceptional, and coupled with your experience, put you beyond what's expected of a new GN. I've been pretty surprised at what some GNs don't know/haven't done. (I'm in Tampa, a grad of Erwin Tech, and know HCC grads who've never done a Foley.) I think, in some places, the standards are just not as high. I definitely want you to be MY nurse!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, Peds, LDRP.

this is a great thread. I am only getting ready to graduate with my LPN but want to go on for my RN. I am glad u pointed out that there isnt much more to it and it could be done in a shorter time. I want to get my RN through Excelsior (distance learning) and there are some ppl who are against it since it doesnt have clinicals (only a clinical exam at the end to test your skills). THe main negative feedback is from ppl who havent heard of anything like it or some old school (meaning experienced) nurses who think its important. I dont think its any different than going from RN to BSN which many nurses are doing online nowdays. What most dont realize is that we do more clinicals in LPN school than many ASN or even BSN programs require. In my community the new grads from my school have a reputation for being well prepared to start working. This makes me more confident that I am not missing out on much by not getting my RN through a traditional school. Also, in the meantime I will be working as an LPN getting my nursing skills down pat, and making money at the same time while I finish my RN on my own time. I think its a great option.

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this is a great thread. I am only getting ready to graduate with my LPN but want to go on for my RN. I am glad u pointed out that there isnt much more to it and it could be done in a shorter time. I want to get my RN through Excelsior (distance learning) and there are some ppl who are against it since it doesnt have clinicals (only a clinical exam at the end to test your skills). THe main negative feedback is from ppl who havent heard of anything like it or some old school (meaning experienced) nurses who think its important. I dont think its any different than going from RN to BSN which many nurses are doing online nowdays. What most dont realize is that we do more clinicals in LPN school than many ASN or even BSN programs require. In my community the new grads from my school have a reputation for being well prepared to start working. This makes me more confident that I am not missing out on much by not getting my RN through a traditional school. Also, in the meantime I will be working as an LPN getting my nursing skills down pat, and making money at the same time while I finish my RN on my own time. I think its a great option.

Hi,

I agree..I have been an LPN for 10 years and I am now going for my RN with Excelsior. I went to an excellant LPN program and I had far more Clinical skills than the new Grad RN's that I worked with. I always felt very fortunate for my LPN training. I feel I will always feel like an LPN...and thats a wonderful feeling!

I am working as a Nurse Manager for a long term care facility and I love it! In all honesty..the only reason I am going for my RN is for the simple reason I am so tired of hearing I can't do something because I'm not an RN. I want the opportunities that aren't available to me now.

Laura

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Specializes in Geriatrics, DD, Peri-op.
He apologized for saying that and we became very good friends.

This is the ONLY positive outcome of having LPNs bridge into an RN program. In my class, I had a couple of the "generic" RN students tell me how intimidated they were by us (LPNs) because we knew our stuff. I told them that it takes time and experience. I think this was positive because too many times I have run into RNs that think they are so above LPNs. I hope those students that I encountered remember their experience with me (and the other LPNs) and treat LPNs with some respect.

I went to Pensacola Jr. College for my LPN and now for my ADN. One more thing that may add to the way I feel is that during LPN school PJC was much more organized than it is today.

Excelsior is a great option. Me, I need some kind of structure. I attempted it but just couldn't do it. If you are self-motivated, I think it's great. If you already have the "technical" skills then there is not more that is added during RN school. Good luck in that. Now, the distance LPN...that's another thing. I cannot believe that you can do that. That should be illegal, IMO.

Thanks for all the kind words. And, I am not degrading getting an RN. I just don't understand why some RNs feel they are so much higher on a pedestal than LPNs. You do have a LOT more responsibility, I know that. But, the "schooling" is not that much more indepth.

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I also am an RN who just got my license in June. Before that, I had been an LPN for 19 years. I think I expected to feel something different after graduating. I realized though, that since I had been an LPN for so long, that I know a great deal of the clinical cares. I did learn more about the physiology of why a certain issue causes a certain condition, such as "why left sided ventricular failure causes back up of fluid into the lungs" and that type of thing. When I was in LPN school, it was a 9 month crash course in nursing because we would "never put in an NG tube, would never touch an IV......" Then came real life. Anyways, enough of my babbling. I think the "different" feeling comes on gradually. When you look back in 10 years, you will see all the new things you have done and how more experienced you are....how other newer nurses look to you for guidance. Then you will feel different I believe.

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This is the ONLY positive outcome of having LPNs bridge into an RN program. In my class, I had a couple of the "generic" RN students tell me how intimidated they were by us (LPNs) because we knew our stuff. I told them that it takes time and experience. I think this was positive because too many times I have run into RNs that think they are so above LPNs. I hope those students that I encountered remember their experience with me (and the other LPNs) and treat LPNs with some respect.

I went to Pensacola Jr. College for my LPN and now for my ADN. One more thing that may add to the way I feel is that during LPN school PJC was much more organized than it is today.

Excelsior is a great option. Me, I need some kind of structure. I attempted it but just couldn't do it. If you are self-motivated, I think it's great. If you already have the "technical" skills then there is not more that is added during RN school. Good luck in that. Now, the distance LPN...that's another thing. I cannot believe that you can do that. That should be illegal, IMO.

Thanks for all the kind words. And, I am not degrading getting an RN. I just don't understand why some RNs feel they are so much higher on a pedestal than LPNs. You do have a LOT more responsibility, I know that. But, the "schooling" is not that much more indepth.

Your welcome,

I edited my post..just before you responded. I did not anyone to take my experience with that one person as an example of how all RN's are...I became good friends with him and he was a great co-worker. RN's do have more responsibility but I believe that any LPN could do the same...The only reason I did not get my RN..was strictly financial. Now after 10 years I'm going for it!

Laura

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