Why won't people stop nagging me about being an LPN and not an RN?

Nursing Students LPN/LVN Students

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I recently started my first semester of the LPN program, and I am SO sick of people telling me LPN is a useless career. That I need to be an RN because they make more money, they have better jobs, blah blah. I want to be an LPN. If I wanted to be an RN, I would be. Why do people find it necessary to tell me that I'm going nowhere if I don't get my RN? Why do they tell me I'm going to be resigned to a nursing home for the rest of my life? Have you experienced this problem? How did you deal with it?

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I've heard that from a couple of people. My reponse is, that right now, the LPN program is what works for me. I work 2 jobs & have 4 children. I am able to squeeze the program in 4 nights a week & I'm already stressing out if I'll be able to do it!

As for jobs, I've researched and found a very good hospital system by me does hire LPN's in their outpatient facilities. When I tell people this, they are usually shocked because they didn't even bother to look for jobs beyond what they have.

Congrats on starting school! I start Mon & I know I'll be asking tons of questions here!

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Hey, I hope this finds you well... I hear that all the time!!!! That's usually the first question they ask me when do you start RN school. Well, I just passed the Nclex pn and I'm on cloud nine. The way I look at it is I've worked my butt off this past year to make it to this point. I am happy with where I am at now and who knows what the future may hold for me. I finally got to the point that whenever someone asks me about RN school... I simply say "Not yet, who knows what my future holds for me because I'm a nurse either way!" Be proud of what you are doing and just brush those people off... I wish you all the best and I know you will do fine regardless if after your name is LPN or RN.

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People say the same to me. It doesn't help that I have a bachelors and "You can just do an accelerated program and have a BSN in a year. You have no excuse".

My reasons for choosing an LPN program- It was 3,000 and didn't involve me taking on MORE student loans. I have no interest in doing anything other than mental health (which is what I did with my bachelors) and I have no problem finding mental health jobs as an LPN. And If I ever do? I have something else to fall back on. I have no desire to be a charge nurse, work in the ER, ICU, NICU or any other "high paying specialty" they tell me I should work in. It just doesn't interest me.

Life isn't about money, money, money. Or at least for me it isn't. You have to do what makes you happy. While I do think being an RN is best for some people, you surely aren't doomed as an LPN.

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I heard this nearly everyday while working and going to LPN School- The only people who understood me were the RN's who I work with who were LPN's first- I wanted a Career and I wanted it NOW! Yes, I plan to go back to school to become and RN then NP- But I want to enjoy being and LPN for atleast a year first. I've only got 100 years so I'm making it count. Proud to be an LPN!

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I am bothered when people tell me that as well. There are so many other environments other than nursing homes that lpns can work in. The can work in hospitals, clinics, medical centers, home care, mental health, planned parenthood centers, specialty clinics (hiv, lgbt, women resource), verteran clinics.....need I go on?

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Hello to all! I've been here on AN for a few years and I always see these post of people and there two cents. I'm just waiting for the opportunity to vocalize when being asked this question, by one whom may think their better because their an RN or maybe just trying to advice me on what I already know.

It's a time, place, and way to present a topic of interest and then sometimes it's just a time to shout you darn(lack of better word) mouth. I know LPN don't work in many hospitals anymore, I know LPN make less than RN(not much more here in FL.), I know the opportunities are greater as a RN, I know all of this! I made my chose and they made theirs, based on what was best for each individual.

So let me be and if I need an opinion I'll ask!

Some people just don't know what to let come out their mouth. Ignore and keep it moving!

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You know these types of questions are water under the bridge. Everyone has a different path to success. It is no one's business but your own why you decided on the route you have taken. If you are happy, stand up for yourself with pride. Being an LPN is a rewarding career. You learn a lot in school. We are great nurses. I am proud to say that I am an LPN. I will be an RN too, but right now, I am very happy and proud of my accomplishment. And very proud to be apart of this profession.

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Gotta love people. I was informed the other day that I am wasting my time because LPN's are NOT real nurses.

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Specializes in Pediatrics and Women's Health.

This happened to me directly a couple of months ago. He said that I won't be able to work in the hospital. I simply told him other places hire LPN's including my current job. I work for a Medicare Advantage HMO. I honestly won't let other people's comments get the best of me. I have to start from somewhere and do what's best for my son and I. This is what works for me and my schedule and I just have to take it from there.

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Specializes in Primary Care.

It takes time but it won't bother you after awhile. Some people just don't know.

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

I will preface this by saying that I am in an RN program. At my school, the RN program is one semester longer than the LVN program. Some people might be tempted to put down LVN's because their educational program is one semester shorter and they have a difference in earning potential and scope of practice compared to the RN's, both being smaller. I would not be one of those people. In one of my previous semesters, I learned a lot from an LVN that I worked with as a student. While I'll have a higher level license when I'm done, that doesn't mean that I'm magically bestowed with knowledge. The LVN's can still teach me a LOT about patient care. In fact, the LVN's that started the same semester that I did will be done with their program, will be licensed, and working when I'm still finishing up school. Also, at least in the local area, the new grad LVN's have a higher percentage of landing a job than the new grad RN's. In other words, the LVN is more likely to land a job sooner than the new grad RN.

While I, as an RN, could apply for all of those same jobs that the LVN's can because my scope of practice will encompass theirs, there is a high likelihood that I would not be hired simply because I would be overqualified, and more expensive.

The other thing about being an LVN is that it does not foreclose the possibility of bettering your education so that you become an RN or a PA or accountant or physician or whatever! You have that flexibility, as does an RN. So for those of you that, for whatever reason, decide to be an LVN, love it, embrace it, own it and be the best darned LVN that you can possibly be and do not let anyone make you feel bad for the decision you made!

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