Why did you choose LPN over RN..need help making a decision

[BjSkyGGEvan]

Hi all

I am new to this board and need some advice.

I have just decided to go back to school for nursing. I have 7 years as an orthopedic technician while I was in the army(many years ago) and then got out, went to college and did different things to include have a family. I am a mother of 4 children, between the ages of 2-11, and work almost full time. I keep going back and forth about which career path to take, LPN or RN. I am leaning towards the LPN and getting my RN at a later date. I was wondering if you all could give me some of the reasons you chose to be LPN's instead of RN's and if you plan on becoming RN's at a later date.

Thanks for your input.

CS

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Oh, yeah, and I do remember the times suffering from insomnia, severe anxiety and feeling like I was smothered while I was in school. The work wasn't hard for me, but seeing the backstabbing of pompous students, condescending professors, college and job politics, turned me off even further. I stayed to myself, cried alot and was just glad it was over. There is no way I would force myself to experience another nursing program again in this lifetime.

[Jules A, MSN]

Oh, yeah, and I do remember the times suffering from insomnia, severe anxiety and feeling like I was smothered while I was in school. The work wasn't hard for me, but seeing the backstabbing of pompous students, condescending professors, college and job politics, turned me off even further. I stayed to myself, cried alot and was just glad it was over. There is no way I would force myself to experience another nursing program again in this lifetime.

((pagandeva2000)) I hear you because I HATED my LPN program but I swear the RN program was a totally different atmosphere. Possibly because I joined a group that already had their dynamics established and I could kind of fly under the radar? I'm not sure but they were really a smart and motivated group of students. They were very willing to help each other out and me as a total newbie which I really appreciated. Not trying to change your mind of course but if you ever happen find something that you might like to do that would require your RN just let me know and I'll be your biggest cheerleader.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

((pagandeva2000)) I hear you because I HATED my LPN program but I swear the RN program was a totally different atmosphere. Possibly because I joined a group that already had their dynamics established and I could kind of fly under the radar? I'm not sure but they were really a smart and motivated group of students. They were very willing to help each other out and me as a total newbie which I really appreciated. Not trying to change your mind of course but if you ever happen find something that you might like to do that would require your RN just let me know and I'll be your biggest cheerleader.

Thanks! You have been a wonderful cheerleader already! To be honest, chatting with you geared me towards gaining my med-surg experience. When that psych hospital chose not to take me, I thought about it and realized that the same agency is used by my hospital. Our hospital does not pay overtime if you work in a different department than your own, but will let you work for them via agencies, so, I went around, asking if I can get psych experience there. They told me that at this time, the need was more in med-surg, and something told me that now was the time to face that fear.

Also, I do have a friend who spoke to the nursing administrator for psych and she asked for my resume. My friend turned it into her Friday, so, we'll see what happens. Sometimes, things work out for a reason. I always wanted to get the bedside experience (just per diem), and the opportunity came. When the administrators for med-surg saw me last week, I got so many hugs...they said "You're finally here!! Call us when you need help!". I felt really welcome. So, thank you, Jules A for being you!:heartbeat:redbeathe

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I didn't know LPNs could specialize in wound care.

Yep. All of the wound care nurses and treatment nurses that I have ever met are LPNs. It is more cost-effective to utilize a good LPN to perform the wound care, as opposed to paying the RN more money to fulfill the same role. In addition, the wounds being treated by the LPNs heal just as expediently.

[GracieLVN]

I chose LVN because it was the first nursing program that accepted. When I applied, there were very minimal prereq requirements so it the application process was easier. I've been working and going to school. There is an 8 month bridge program I'm looking into. I always say .. take whatever you can get whenever you can get it.. as long as you're qualified to sit for the boards :)

[The-Marquis]

Hi Ogopogo,

I'm new to the board and I noticed your nickname as a clue to you perhaps hailing from the same part of canada as me. I spoke with a college co-ordinator today and we discussed the healthcare industry and how it is very stable right now and BC - Canada is crying out for nurses. I'm seriously considering it a job in this field. I'd be learning something new, helping people, doing an interesting job, meeting all sorts of new people, earning a lot more than I am now. I'm aware that it would involve helping old people with catheters and cleaning up some not so pretty things but I think that's a small price to pay.

Is there any sage advise you could give me? Is there anything you could pass on about the day to day aspects? Any advice or guidance at all would help. Also, which college did you go through as I spoke to Sprott Shaw?