Why LPN??

camos · Mar 30, 2001

HELLO!!!

FIRST OFF, in my state (LA)the ADN program is just about 1 yr. shy, maybe a little bit more)of a BSN. The only difference is a couple of HUMANITIES courses. We take the same Psychology courses and most of the english courses, and ALL of the NURSING and SCIENCE courses BSN nurses take, the only difference is, we are not in school quite as long. My reason for "not just sticking it out a little longer" happens to be I have a family, and need to actually start working before they starve to death, so before you start putting your foot in your big mouth, remember NOT everyone is in the same shoes as you.

Originally posted by Susy K:
I often wondered why some people choose to become an LPN verses an RN, or why go for a 2 year program and just not go for 2 more years to get your BS? Especially with the threatened LPN layoffs, the lower pay, the limited employment choices. Is it money? Is it wanting to get your ability to work sooner? Please enlighten me. Thanks.

Brownms46 · Mar 30, 2001

Originally posted by kjmta57:
wow this could go on forever.Well for you lpn/lvn that are tired of RNS putting you down.I am a LVN in a California state prison.We are also peace officers so our first line supervisor is a Lvn/peace officer also.And no the doctors are not our supervisor either.Yes we do follow their orders but we controll the clinics because we are responsible for their safety. What is interesting I am a MTA (thats our title)supervisor,and guess what? There is two RNS that work under me.Do we all work well togeather,very much so.Why are the rns getting in this classification?money and benifits.And yes we're recruiting for Lvns very much so as I speak.We are looking at hiring over 150 in the next year if we are luckey enough to get them.No one here is better or smarter then anyone else.I have 2 license by the state and we all work as a a team,and there is over 1000 employees to deal with.I guess because we know when the chips are down it isnt going to matter who you are from cna,Lvn,Rn you will play a much needed role possibly saving your partners life.I make 4600 a month with full benifits,4 weeks of paid vacation,holiday,etc.

I have to give it to you kjmta57! I tried a stint in Springfield prison, in Springville, Al., and I was scared silly! Just didn't have what it took to work there. I have many correction officer friends, although I don't envy your position, but ummm....the money sounds great! But, I think this chicken will stay put where she is...LOL!

Q. · Mar 30, 2001

God, let it DIE already.............

[This message has been edited by Susy K (edited March 30, 2001).]

puzzler · Mar 30, 2001

Have not been here for a while--what a posting to see on my return.

Guess I could say "been there, done that."

Got my LPN in 1976. Three children, a husband, and never enough money. Where I went to school they needed LPN's and the tuition was free. Imagine that!!!

After a couple of years of doing essentially the same work (with very few exceptions)as the RNs, I became irritated that some RN's were, shall I say less knowledgable than I but making more money. So I went back to school part time to get my RN. (Still 3 children and a husband)

Today, I am in middle management and I thank God every day for our LPN's. I seriously do not know what I/we and the patients would do without them.

Our patients require all of us to see that they receive the care that they deserve. I have encountered many, many LPN's that I would much rather have caring for me or my family than some RN's that I have been been exposed to.

There are both good and poor LPNs as well as RNs. The problems of LPN vs RN always arises when a nursing glut appears and heaven knows we are not at that point these days.

If you are an LPN or know of an LPN desiring to work in a hospital PLEASE SEND THEM TO US--we need and want you.

------------------

Sheryl

If you enjoy word puzzles come visit me at www.CrosswordsForNurses.com

nurs4kids · Mar 30, 2001

Originally posted by NurseMark:
Susy,
"First of all, it is women dominated, and like it or not, women are still second class citizens. Secondly, look at what nursing started out as. You are nothing but a physician's lackey - you can't breathe without an order from your "master" - the doctor (Hyperbolically speaking). The nurse was created to assist the physician with his or her duties - like wiping butts, emptying urinals, giving baths, giving pills, etc. Thirdly, the public views nurses as "maids" that are supposedly paid very well. "

Mark, you humor me. You obviously attempt to build yourself by THINKING women are second class citizens. Women NEVER were second class citizens, dear(where on earth did you get that from?). I will not even get into the women vs men thing with you as to which sex is superior, because I have nothing to prove and I will not attack all men because of the ignorance of one. Secondly, I'm not sure what you do in your job, but as a RN, my skills rarely require a physician to "breathe". Yes, I need an order for medications, etc., but the assessment and the CARE I provide, are not anything a doctor can "order", these are God given talents. Thirdly, the public I know thinks very highly of nurses. If your attitude of nursing is the general concensus in your area, then the nurses there are responsible for what YOUR public thinks. Don't attempt to ruin the beautiful bunch with your one bad apple . As for the topic here, from which you strayed deeply, I do not have the pleasures of working with LPN's because my head nurse does not find it feasible d/t the restrictions our state places on their practice. With the nursing shortage upon us, as I attempt to care for my patients, like my "second class" heart wishes, I would welcome any LPN/LVN/CA at my side.

[This message has been edited by nurs4kids (edited March 30, 2001).]

[This message has been edited by nurs4kids (edited March 30, 2001).]

Q. · Mar 30, 2001

Originally posted by nurs4kids:
Originally posted by NurseMark:
Susy, The nurse was created to assist the physician with his or her duties - like wiping butts, emptying urinals, giving baths, giving pills, etc."

[This message has been edited by nurs4kids (edited March 30, 2001).]
?????????
I guess I was under the impression that nursing was actually "created" by Florence Nightingale, as she took it upon herself to provide bedside and field care to the soldiers in the Crimean War.....

Maybe I missed that topic in my nursing program......

theboss · Mar 30, 2001

hey guys lets here some great stories on ( nursing in your state?) it ought to be good!!! i think its fun and educational to learn about all the diffrent aspects of nursing in all states !!!!!! see ya there.

the boss

camos · Apr 3, 2001

Thank you Suzy K, you are right, I went over board, PMS time, sorry!

took it the wrong way, forgive?

Originally posted by Susy K:
God, let it DIE already.............

[This message has been edited by Susy K (edited March 30, 2001).]

Q. · Apr 3, 2001

Originally posted by camos:
Thank you Suzy K, you are right, I went over board, PMS time, sorry!
took it the wrong way, forgive?

Camos-

Forgiven!

lpnandloveit1 · Apr 3, 2001

I have been an lpn for 24 years and have watched the profession change greatly in those years. I think the reason I became an Lpn vs. an Rn is because team nursing was "all the rage" at the time. I was a "Nursing assistan" in the hospital at the time and thought that I was best suited to be an lpn on the team. Since then I have seen movement in the postion. I currently work as a homecare nurse caring for "pediatric high tech cases" and i seems that I have come full circle and once again a member of a nursing team. I am paid well and as I have been "at this" for a long time I can pick and choose the hours that I work( I do shift cases not visits.). I may or may not go back to school the get my Rn but right now I love my job. I guess that is why I became an Lpn, I love it!

mommy2 · Apr 6, 2001

Originally posted by Duckie:Hi, I was wondering if I could ask you a few small questions. I also quit school early ( earlier than 16 even) and am sooo close to registering for an lpn course the only problem is that I don't know exactly what their job description is, I've always wanted to work in a hospital is it true that lpn's do not work in hospitals? Thank-you for your time also if you have any more advice or info you think might come in handy for me I'd love to hear it. Tank-you again
I actually had two reasons for becoming an LPN. First, I really thought nursing was what I wanted to do but having never done it, wasn't sure and figured if it wasn't, then it wouldn't be as expensive or take as long to find out. My main reason was because I had quite school when I was only 16, so my education was very limited and I was afraid I couldn't cut it education wise. But thank the dear Lord, I did very good in school and once I got into it, I liked where I was and what I was doing and just didn't feel the need to go on. If I were younger and didn't need to work full time, I would get my RN now, but only for the reasons of when I get too old to cut the long hours and then I could go into teaching, which I love to do even now. I really enjoy showing the new nurses the ropes. Even though I have lots of experience I cannot teach and that makes me sad. But I'll keep plugging away until I can't hobble down those long halls anymore. I think the war between LPN's and RN's is truly a waste of good energy. This profession is big enough for all of us and we are all very much needed. I have never had problems finding a job and I am thankful for what I can do.

jo1998 · Apr 6, 2001

Originally posted by Susy K:
I often wondered why some people choose to become an LPN verses an RN, or why go for a 2 year program and just not go for 2 more years to get your BS? Especially with the threatened LPN layoffs, the lower pay, the limited employment choices. Is it money? Is it wanting to get your ability to work sooner? Please enlighten me. Thanks.

Here in NJ the pay difference isn't that much. After reading posts about salaries, I can happily say that I make more than RN's that posted. Our units are mostly staffed with 1 RN and 3 LPN's. LPN's are in demand in Phila., NJ, NY, what layoffs are you referring to? My practice allows me to practice the same as an RN, only difference is I can't hang the first bag of blood or push narcs. I find the only drawback is that the RN's purposely give the LPN's the harder, more time consuming patients. I get through this by concluding it is because of my skill, and am complimented by their laxidazial approach. Enlightened?????????

Jo