Why is it so bad to be an LPN ????

realnursealso/LPN, LPN · Jan 19, 2008

It's not bad to be an LPN, I have been an LPN 27 years. I work independently doing high tech pediatric homecare. Is my supervisor an RN? Yes, but she does not go to the children's homes with me. I have to think on my feet, because I am there with the child, at times all alone. I promised myself I would not get angry while I wrote this post. I get so tired of some of the drivel posted by people who think they know it all and try to define my job and my role at work. I want you to hold your head up high, and tell the world, with a smile on your face:w00t:, I am going to LPN school, to be a nurse, and I'll be the best nurse you would ever want taking care of you! High 5, congrats, carry on fellow future LPN! :up:

kstec, LPN · Jan 19, 2008

I haven't been on this website for exactly this reason. I hate the hierarchy of nursing. You get the vibe that CNA's and LPN's are crap. But my first question is "What would the medical field do without us?" Who would be the patients first line of defense in their care if all of us were nurse practictioners or RN MSW? Are they going to clean a butt? Not!!!! Do the RN's belittle the housekeeper, the maintenance man, the laundry people? When the supposed higher ups think they can do it all alone because they have more schooling, than they can rock on with their bad selves, but until then, we all need to respect each other and take into account there is a reason there are multitude of jobs in the healthcare field. We all contribute something and if one of the links in the chain is dismissed or broke due to lack of higher education, than whose going to clean the rooms, wash the dirty linen, fix the beds that are broke, stock med rooms, sterilize surgical equipment and on and on. I'm no better than anyone and noone is better than me, we just play a different role. Hell if I had it my way, I'd be a MD, but guess what, it's not going to happen due to whatever my reason may be. When they day comes that I apply for 10 jobs, whether it be a nursing home, agency , clinic, or hospice and I don't get 10 calls back for an interview, then I'll be convinced that LPN's are worthless and being phased out, but until then I have job(s) offers always and that tells me that I'm needed and not a burden or undereducated part of the healthcare field, but just a excellent contributor. So the answer to your question is "It is not bad to be a LPN." Sorry so long, but haven't been on this website for a while due to this exact reason. Judging and belittling. LPN's rock!!!

OgopogoLPN, LPN, RN · Jan 20, 2008

I'm an LPN student and I don't think it's bad at all to be an LPN. There are numerous job openings in my city for LPN's. I'm 31, have 2 kids, 2 cars, mortgage, etc. It was hard enough financially for me to quit my job and go to school for a year. The LPN prorgram is perfect for me. Even though I've always wanted to be a nurse, there's NO WAY we could afford for me to go to school for 4 years for my BSN (which is now the mandatory RN entry level in my province). Once I graduate, make some money, pay off student debts and my kids are teenagers, I'll reevaluate whether I want to further my nursing education with a BSN.

I'm very excited about working as an LPN when I'm finished my program in August :)

justme1972 · Jan 20, 2008

To me, I don't see why someone would want to be an LPN...it has NOTHING to do with the job title, etc.

When I started clinicals for my first semester, I saw very, very quickly, that LPN's did everything that the RN's did....now, I know that the difference they teach you in school is "knowing how vs knowing why", RN's were the charge nurses, but to me, it boils down to economics.

Why do virtually the same tasks for far less money?

Butterflybee · Jan 20, 2008

When i say i finished nursing school., it bothers me when anyone asks me "what kind of nurse...an RN". What is that supposed to mean? The connotation is evident... I am proud to just even be in the nursing field and be called a nurse. I worked so hard to be an LPN. Those that know what we have gone through im sure are so proud of us all. I know my family and friends are proud of me. They know it was no easy task...studying day in and day out and passing all of those tests........in 1 year mind you. This is not to mention all the classes we needed to take prior to getting into this competitive program.

I was third in my class prior to the nursing program and it was still challenging. So much info to learn and remember in such a short amount of time.

Why do people many times short change us on respect and hold up the RNs remains an unanswerable question. All i know I am proud to be an LPN and i would not change the path i chose. If i want to be an RN down the line, i will. As for now, i want to be more proficient in the field and learn all i can before moving on..... if i do.:pumpiron:

It isnt 'bad' to be an LPN, that is obviously a comment that shows someone doesnt have a clue....

mississippi_lpn · Jan 20, 2008

I have posted in other parts of this site, and it seems like soon as I mention I am going to school to be an LPN there seems to be a few people that ask why in the world would you want to do that? Why do I want to waste my time being and LPN. No place hires LPN's anymore, its just a gimmick for the school to get money from me.
I am tired of it. I am becoming an LPN because I want to why not ask an RN why waste your time on that just go be a PA or doctor. We each have our own reasons for doing what we do. If no place is hiring LPN's then how come I see ad's in the paper and on the state job bank ? RN's may have more of a choice but there are opportunities for LPN's too. The government wouldn't pay for you to go to school for LPN if there were no jobs.
One day I hope to be an RN but for now I would like encouragement or at least don't bash LPN's when a question is asked about LPN's.

I SAY AMEN! You said this right!

I am an LPN and i love being an LPN i started out making 14$ hr and within 2 years i am making 22.50 and hr and i love it, i hear why don't you go back for rn and i say i love my job, i make good money and i work as a communication nurse, have my own desk and ext. So do whats right for you. I say go for whats in your heart who cares what others say is the way i look at it!:cheers:

MentalRn · Jan 20, 2008

I think it is best to make a choice based on your needs at home as to what type of schooling to pursue. I chose to become an LPN first and I worked in this capacity for several years before becoming an RN. I certainly learned a lot as an LPN and this helped define my career as an RN. I am sad to see many LPNs leaving the floors of acute care that I have worked with for years. While it is true that there are plenty of LPN jobs out there, they are now limited to certain areas in many states. You might want to think about what specialty you desire to work in, this can be factor in the type of nursing degree you choose.

*Scrubs* · Jan 20, 2008

To me, I don't see why someone would want to be an LPN...it has NOTHING to do with the job title, etc.
When I started clinicals for my first semester, I saw very, very quickly, that LPN's did everything that the RN's did....now, I know that the difference they teach you in school is "knowing how vs knowing why", RN's were the charge nurses, but to me, it boils down to economics.
Why do virtually the same tasks for far less money?

Because there are people like myself who are not 100% sure that they were BORN to be a nurse and starting as an LPN is a good indication of what lies ahead.

Because not EVERY person who choses to be a nurse has the burning need to be an RN.

Because not every person has the time or home life that dictates the ability to do the RN program well.

Why stop at RN? Why aren't ALL RN's studying to become BSN's? And then why aren't THEY studying to be doctors? They would make more money.

I hope making money is not your only priority in becoming an RN. To me, that will make you far less of a nurse.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jan 20, 2008

I hope making money is not your only priority in becoming an RN. To me, that will make you far less of a nurse.

I completely disagree with this idea. Recently a nurse on my floor went from LPN to RN soley for the money.......$200.00 more a week. She's doing the exact same job, in the exact same excellent way even though she became an RN only because of the money. It was her only motivation and her priority and what got her through the tough times of school and being a mother.

However, there's no need to judge an LPN that chooses to be an LPN despite the fact they know they are making less for doing similar jobs as a floor staff RN.

Lovely_RN, MSN · Jan 20, 2008

Don't knock it people have their reasons which are perfectly legitimate for them.

I am happy that I got my LPN. While I am on hiatus from school I am going to work full-time and make some nice bucks and then when I am in school getting my RN I will still be able to work a few pier diem shifts making good money.

I am going to gain valuable experience while I transition and this will come in very handy once I am on the floor as an RN.

I will be getting my RN in May 2009 but becoming an LPN first means that I only had to be broke for 1 year instead of 2 or more.

It seems like a pretty sweet deal to me.

To me, I don't see why someone would want to be an LPN...it has NOTHING to do with the job title, etc.
When I started clinicals for my first semester, I saw very, very quickly, that LPN's did everything that the RN's did....now, I know that the difference they teach you in school is "knowing how vs knowing why", RN's were the charge nurses, but to me, it boils down to economics.
Why do virtually the same tasks for far less money?

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jan 20, 2008

Because there are people like myself who are not 100% sure that they were BORN to be a nurse and starting as an LPN is a good indication of what lies ahead.
Because not EVERY person who choses to be a nurse has the burning need to be an RN.
Because not every person has the time or home life that dictates the ability to do the RN program well.
Why stop at RN? Why aren't ALL RN's studying to become BSN's? And then why aren't THEY studying to be doctors? They would make more money.
I hope making money is not your only priority in becoming an RN. To me, that will make you far less of a nurse.

Worded very well! I never had the burning desire to be an RN and I don't see it coming (although we can never say never). I enjoy doing the skill but not shouldering the responsibility. I enjoy learning all that I can because that is just who I am. I know that I make a positive contribution to the medical profession because I do care, I have a strong desire to obtain knowledge and I love being a teamplayer that is resourceful and can be counted on. I don't envy them, I support them. My only pet peeve is that people automatically assume that each LPN wishes and should become an RN, and then there are many (not ALL, though) make it their business to tell me how I should live my life.

I remember once, an RN told me "You can do ANYTHING you want to do" meaning that I should become an RN, and said that there are no excuses not to be an RN. My response to her is that the reason why I am not an RN is because I DON'T WANT TO BE, and that is not an excuse, I simply choose not to. My choosing to remain an LPN has no impact on anyone's life but my own, and I decided to make it a positive experience for myself and if possible a better impact on the patients because I am doing what I WANT TO DO.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jan 20, 2008

However, there's no need to judge an LPN that chooses to be an LPN despite the fact they know they are making less for doing similar jobs as a floor staff RN.

Very true. I knew what I was getting into when I decided to be an LPN. Yes, we get paid less for doing a similar (but not identical job). What I really dislike is when some LPNs display true bitterness towards an RN simply because she decided this was the route for her to go.

There is an LPN that oriented me during my brief 6 week stint on med-surg (before I went to my assigned clinic position). She is a pnenomenal nurse. She knows her medications, has excellent time management skills, her critical thinking ability is off the charts and she knows her patients very well. I learned a great deal from her. The only issue I have with this woman is her obvious hatred towards RNs. She constantly makes comments about them where she knows that they hear her saying things such as: "Why aren't they assessing their patients?...they don't help us, I do what they do...". One day, I said to her that if she really feels this way, go back to school. And, I also asked her did she REALLY watch what they do? I mean, does she have to deal with admissions, filling out a 16 page admission form, discharge, chemotherapy treatment, manage the floor and people working under them? In my hospital's med surg units, the LPNs administer meds, that is basically it. They used to have primary care with stable patients with predictable outcomes. Now, they no longer do foleys often, dressings, or other basic nursing skills, they leave that to the RNs. I asked her if she really felt that she would be able to do all of that as well as give meds to patients. It is NOT easy to be an RN sometimes.

Now, she barely speaks to me, because she felt that I was 'taking their side'. Not necessarily. But, I feel that if you observe and place yourself in their shoes, maybe you can better empathsize.