Why Become an RN?

allnurses Guide · Dec 12, 2005

Many more opportunities were available with an RN. I wanted to become an advanced practice nurse ever since I was in LVN school. After working in ICU I decided I wanted to be a CRNA and next summer I will go to nurse anesthesia school. Something that is not available as an LVN.

Since this new forum could use a few more threads, I have decided to throw a question at you guys that may or may not be thought-provoking.
Why did you all decide to bridge to the RN? Why not remain LPNs/LVNs? Hopefully you're not frowning at the computer screen while thinking, "What a stupid question!" I'm seeking some honest answers here. I cannot wait to see what everyone conjures up. Thanks in advance! :)

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2005

Many more opportunities were available with an RN. I wanted to become an advanced practice nurse ever since I was in LVN school. After working in ICU I decided I wanted to be a CRNA and next summer I will go to nurse anesthesia school. Something that is not available as an LVN.

Nowadays it seems that a lot of great opportunities are being phased out of reach of LPNs/LVNs. If I don't pursue my RN license soon, I will be looking at a bleak future that involves patient loads of up to 70 clients in LTC and nursing homes. So wonder the LTC turnover rate is so high! I praise the nurses who do decide to wake up daily and provide compassionate care to their geriatric/convalescent patients. :kiss

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Dec 12, 2005

I want to teach a nursing class someday.

Nurse-Tee · Dec 13, 2005

Nowadays it seems that a lot of great opportunities are being phased out of reach of LPNs/LVNs. If I don't pursue my RN license soon, I will be looking at a bleak future that involves patient loads of up to 70 clients in LTC and nursing homes. So wonder the LTC turnover rate is so high! I praise the nurses who do decide to wake up daily and provide compassionate care to their geriatric/convalescent patients. :kiss

This is exactly why i have started pursuing my Rn:rolleyes:. LTC work is just not for

me anymore and in my state they are phasing LPNs out of a lot of healthcare settings so i need better job security.....

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · Dec 13, 2005

I did it because...(in no particular order) #1 - I wanted better opportunities and #2 - No one will ever say (with that look of shock and horror) "Oh, I didn't realize you were JUST an LPN". I had to hurry up and get my RN cuz I just knew I was gonna knock someone out someday with that stupid stupid phrase. Guess after 19 years as "just" an LPN I had had enough! Today I think I am a pretty darn good RN, but it's really due to my being "just" an LPN all those years.

Proud of who I am and the road I traveled to get here!! :)

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Dec 13, 2005

I had to hurry up and get my RN cuz I just knew I was gonna knock someone out someday with that stupid stupid phrase.

It won't stop there.

Which is why that's not a motivator for me.

**NickiLaughs, ADN, BSN, RN** · Dec 14, 2005

I originally was going straight for my RN, but the schools are so competitive I got my LVN for the bridge program I'd be able to do. I like being an LVN, but they limit what you can do, only a few hospitals out here hire LVN's and the pay is much lower than in LTC (California stinks!). I'm sure many people realize the job isn't that much different from that of an RN, so why not spend the extra time in school to get the bigger increase in salary and more opportunities? It's not for everyone though, I know many people who are content as LVN's.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 14, 2005

I originally was going straight for my RN, but the schools are so competitive I got my LVN for the bridge program I'd be able to do. I like being an LVN, but they limit what you can do, only a few hospitals out here hire LVN's and the pay is much lower than in LTC (California stinks!). I'm sure many people realize the job isn't that much different from that of an RN, so why not spend the extra time in school to get the bigger increase in salary and more opportunities? It's not for everyone though, I know many people who are content as LVN's.

I'm from California, too. In fact, I attended Casa Loma College in Van Nuys from '04 to '05.

I recently moved to Texas about two and a half weeks ago. I want to bridge to the RN program because it will supposedly open more doors and present better opportunities. I couldn't do the RN program first because of the long waiting lists in California and the fact that I had not completed any prerequisites. The LVN seemed like the fastest way to get into nursing.

BTW Nicki, how did you prepare for the NCLEX-PN? I will take it for the first time on December 28.

lisamc1RN, LPN · Dec 14, 2005

My reasons are similar to others. I really like the greater range of opportunities for nurses that an RN provides. I also like the idea of someday teaching students.

fla orange · Dec 14, 2005

Having your Rn degree open the door wide open to versitility in Nursing such as being a supervisor, going into infomatics, teaching school. I didn't like being told I couldn't do this, that or the third because I wasn't a Rn. So I went back to school and I'm proud of the wise decision.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 14, 2005

Having your Rn degree open the door wide open to versitility in Nursing such as being a supervisor, going into infomatics, teaching school. I didn't like being told I couldn't do this, that or the third because I wasn't a Rn. So I went back to school and I'm proud of the wise decision.

Are you an RN? Or are you an RN student? :confused: