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

[hair_tie]

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.

[Woodenpug, BSN]

On the first day of the first clinical in LVN school a floor RN confronted my entire class of 10 lvn students + instructor and told us we were foolish. " You do the same work but get paid a lot less." That was the only time anyone mentioned it as a bad choice. Most people know that it is usually an economic decision. The reasons for going straight to RN posted at allnurses are valid and true. For me, I would have done well to take that RN's advise. Things are different now. Many lvn to RN/bsn programs give you full credit for your LVN education and experience. I still see many employers do not respect LVN experience. Too bad, several patients have told me that they prefer LVN's and many of them believed that LVN is a "higher" nursing degree. I think it's because some RN's feel they are above doing certain things. Anyway, it is your life and your decision only you know what is best for you. Congradulations on making an excellent career choice!!:cheers:

[Ruper]

first let me say, i took my nclex-pn on monday, found out i passed on wednesday and was offered a job this morning! yeah!!!! i'm so very excited and can't believe it, i'm a nurse ! ! ! !

okay, that aside. i have spent many many days and nights in hospitals with my mom and dad. the hospitals mostly only hired rn's, but you know what, we could almost always tell the rn's that had been either cna's or lpn's prior to getting their rn. their bedside manner always gave it away. i'm not saying the rn's were bad because there were some pretty great ones, but there was just something about the ones with the prior "experience."

so some day when i'm an rn, i hope that the same can be said about me.

blessings,

ruper

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

first let me say, i took my nclex-pn on monday, found out i passed on wednesday and was offered a job this morning! yeah!!!! i'm so very excited and can't believe it, i'm a nurse ! ! ! !

okay, that aside. i have spent many many days and nights in hospitals with my mom and dad. the hospitals mostly only hired rn's, but you know what, we could almost always tell the rn's that had been either cna's or lpn's prior to getting their rn. their bedside manner always gave it away. i'm not saying the rn's were bad because there were some pretty great ones, but there was just something about the ones with the prior "experience."

so some day when i'm an rn, i hope that the same can be said about me.

blessings,

ruper

congrat on passing nclex and good luck in your new nursing career!:w00t:

[Faith_n_God]

I just wanted to thank all of you guys for encouraging newbies like me. I just passed the boards and it's really not helping to hear other people (specially relatives) tell you "after a while you can save and take up real nursing course." They have no idea how hellish I've been thru just to finished LVN! :innerconf On top of it, my husband, whose an LVN and now finishing his BSN course would always say that there's no room for LVN anymore (talked about being sensitive )... I think you guys are right that it all boils down to personal insecurities. I hope someday people would stop underestimating LVN's because sooner or later we will be the one to take care of them. (including giving their meds hhmm!!! :innerconf .)

[MentalRn]

Congratulations on passing the boards! It is good to remember that it is the person and not the initials behind there name that make the nurse. Whether you be RN or LPN. I started out as a CNA then LPN and now RN, and I do think this has given me a much better perspective of what each person does and how we should all work together. The majority of my nurse mentors have been LPNs. Keep your head up and be proud of your accomplishment.

[bilog]

On the first day of the first clinical in LVN school a floor RN confronted my entire class of 10 lvn students + instructor and told us we were foolish. " You do the same work but get paid a lot less." That was the only time anyone mentioned it as a bad choice. Most people know that it is usually an economic decision. The reasons for going straight to RN posted at allnurses are valid and true. For me, I would have done well to take that RN's advise. Things are different now. Many lvn to RN/bsn programs give you full credit for your LVN education and experience. I still see many employers do not respect LVN experience. Too bad, several patients have told me that they prefer LVN's and many of them believed that LVN is a "higher" nursing degree. I think it's because some RN's feel they are above doing certain things. Anyway, it is your life and your decision only you know what is best for you. Congradulations on making an excellent career choice!!:cheers:

Some RNs they really look down on the LVNs because they think they get paid a lot more than the LVNs. The truth is, some LVNs they earn a lot more than the RNs as long as u know where to go. Rns make more money in the hospital. The LVNs make more money somewhere else. Rns in the hospital make at least 120k a year for 6 days of 12 hrs shift a week with overtime. I made 151k last year with 3 days a wk of 12hrs shift with no overtime plus a little of home visits. The reason Im telling u this is because I get tired of people who belittles us.Just continue with what you are doing, but if u have the time and resources to go for your RN, so much the better.

[HeartJulz]

Ahh yes, the typical question when I mention anything about my nursing to anyone.. oh so youre an RN? ARGHHHHHHHHHHHH! And one dr. I worked for, of course after near 3 yrs. I quit, did NOT support the idea of my going to school. He kept telling me .. you knwo they are doing away w LVNs right? Yes that may be so in hospital setting here in CA, but not other states... I would tell him over and over that I want to advance my career and sitting on the RN wait list for up to 4 yrs wasnt my cup of tea.. besides Im a single Mom and not only do I love my career, but I want to advance it to not just make more money but for better experience, new places, new people and for my daughter to look up to me. Learning is endless and there isnt a restriction on anything in life.. if we have the passion for something and do it, then thats what should count. LVNs are taking care of people just as Rns , CNAs or anyone else in medical field... Im proud of where I am thus far, and yes eventually i will do RN, but I also feel that in order to be successful working your way up to it is best.. at least for me. I have already been in healthcare for 5 yrs.. and I wanted to make sure it was right and that I didnt burn out. Plus my daughter looks up to me and thats what matters at the end of the day, family who is appreciative of our accomplishments...

[vivibonita]

You know, now that I'm looking into the LVN - RN programs, I have found nothing but good wishes from the transition class instructors... most of them say that we made a good choice when we decided to go the LVN route first. Most 3rd semester RN instructor have expressed how lucky they feel when they have LVNs in their classes because they not only finish the "tedious" work first but also help the new RNs to get better at their bedside skills. While I was working as a student nurse at the hospital, the doctors were very supportive too... and yes they encouraged me to get my RN but they never looked down on me because I was an LVN.

Now, that I think about it... it might be more of a territorial thing, some people believe that by putting you and your career choice down will keep you away from getting their job. hmmm. Anyway, I feel lucky being an LVN... just be like a frog and let all those things they tell you for not being an RN from the beginning slide off your skin and your mind.

Congrats, to the new LVNs who have passed their NCLEX!!! wheeee

[solucky2beanurse]

a new lpn and let me tell u something i work with a couple of rn's. in a long term care facility and sorry say they are plum dumb. for instance relieved a rn that had a patient that was complainig of severe pain to lower leg, she had been giving him prn pain medications. keep in mind i'm a new nurse only working on the floor for 2 months. anyone with a brain would asses the patient 1st perform rom( range of motion). well the resident had a fractured tibia. i'm telling u this to let you know rn"s are so use to working der a doctor's advice 24hrs out of the day they don't know how to use their judgement. lpn's work by there selfs in a long term care facility and only notify the doctor on call when there's a serious problem. the most funny part about is that we make the same amont they do or a little more in nursing homes

[PNCC2001]

Congratulations on passing your boards!

There will be judgement passed on all of us at the end of the world; and it's isn't going to matter what letters are after our names. Guess what else, it won't be RN's, BSN's, MSN's, PhD's doing the judging!

[vivibonita]

Well, let's not start bashing the RNs or Doctors or anyone... we as LVNs (and some as future RNs) need to make the best for our career, there's always someone that will give someone else a bad name, but we can't let this affect us... we are as good as we want to be. Just like there are bad RNs there are bad LVNs... so please, let's stick to the "cheering up" our new LVNs.

[AutumnAustria]

I get the same responses from people...telling me that LPN is Let's pretend Nurse and RN is Real Nurse. I'm sick of it also, and know that I am doing this for my family and my future. I agree with all who have said that it is all of us who make up the healthcare field. We should all be proud to be LPN's, going to school as LPN's and just tell everyone else to go to you-know-where. Congrats to all who have finished their LPN programs and who've passed the boards, I am in my 2nd quarter of a 7 quarter program and I can't wait to get done and become an LPN ~~ It will be my dream come true!!