Why did you stay an LPN?

Published

Hello!

This is for all the LPNs that have no desire to become an RN. What made you decide this? What do you recommend to a future LPN student? Why is there so much pressure to become an RN (starting in LPN school)? What do you love about being an LPN?

I know I have asked a lot, so don't feel obligated to answer all of my questions. I am just trying to find out what all the RN hype is about.

Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Knuckle Dragging Nurse aka MTA.
Hello!

This is for all the LPNs that have no desire to become an RN. What made you decide this? What do you recommend to a future LPN student? Why is there so much pressure to become an RN (starting in LPN school)? What do you love about being an LPN?

I know I have asked a lot, so don't feel obligated to answer all of my questions. I am just trying to find out what all the RN hype is about.

Thanks!

If I stay an LVN it will be for the money and retirement. I am able to retire comfortably at 50 with this job and the pay is very high, in some cases more than what RN's make.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Internal Medicine,Surgery, Wound Care.
If I stay an LVN it will be for the money and retirement. I am able to retire comfortably at 50 with this job and the pay is very high, in some cases more than what RN's make.

HI

Really? I don't see how that is possible. In NY some of the RN's are making $32.00 a hour.

In the state of CT, RN's are making $80,000.00. For every RN referral, they get $5,000.00 and for every DR they refer, they get $15,000.00.

Sounds insane huh?

I did see an ad in the paper for LPN starting at $28.00 at an agency. Which is great money to me. But I am not sure if the are offering benefits?

Which really at this point, I have no business looking at jobs. I don't start school until Sept.

Thanks for the info.

JoAnn

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, MDS Cordnator, Mental Health.

Being an LPN is fine. You work hard but your options are more limited. Our Hopital has layed off most of the LPN's the only option is LTC or the clinic... and with the current layoff's it will be hard for an a new grad to get a job in a clinic.

top wage for an LPN is after 4 years is $15.00 Per hour (MN) LTC you are on your feet working at a run from the time you punch in till you leave. I went on for my RN because there are much more opportunities. and I started as a new grad at $20.00 (they started me at a 3 year rate) There are places that pay better but the Benefits here are great. so i stay. 250 Hours of vacation per year. and very fexible schedualing so i can continue going to school (RN-MSN)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I choose to remain an LPN because for one, it describes who I am...a PRACTICAL person. I am not interested in the depth of nursing, such as ICU, emergency room, NICU or the others. I am interested in performing the basic skills for comfort and to sustain a person in crisis until more advanced practitioners arrive. I have access to much information, but am (slightly) removed from the rest of the stuff I am not interested in doing. Also I really hated school with a passion. I did quite well, graduated top of the class for that matter, but I really didn't like the competitiveness, hated the NCLEX process and after all of the muck, I really saw that education really doesn't make the person. It does allow for greater opportunities, but I see nursing as so tainted that I would compromise myself if I went further due to my temper and strong sense of misjustice.

I have had many opportunities as an LPN offered to me in my short year of being a nurse. But, I also saw that placing so much energy in school literally exhausted me. I am really tired and I neglected a great deal of my spiritual life, motherhood and my marriage. I clearly do not want to do this again for a higher position with even more stress. Currently, I work in a hospital clinic and thought it would be easier, but it is just as stressful as the wards. I do enjoy it, but we deal with a poor population and a large volume of patients. The needs are so great, and even the higher levels of nursing are not able to meet them.

I know that being an LPN is an honorable profession and I do plan to do my best towards my patients. But, I personally don't have a need to compete with others again for acceptance. They will never be satisfied, but, I am. That is most importance to me.

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Brain injury,vent,peds ,geriatrics,home.

Because I have a job I absolutely LOVE!!! make 20 bucks an hour,have two houses PAID for Raised four kids on.Am 44 yeatrs old,I know I could easily pass the RN course,Just dont wanna,Totally content with my life.LIfe is all about balance.Dont need to impress anyone!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Because I have a job I absolutely LOVE!!! make 20 bucks an hour,have two houses PAID for Raised four kids on.Am 44 yeatrs old,I know I could easily pass the RN course,Just dont wanna,Totally content with my life.LIfe is all about balance.Dont need to impress anyone!!

I am happy to hear that some LPNs besides myself are content. I do support all of the nurses that wish to become RNs...if there is a burning inside, it must be satisfied. And, there is a need for all levels of nursing, for all careers and jobs in our lives. But, I don't like to see people do it for status. I can even see for the money...we do need money. But to keep up with the Joneses is not for everyone. I have a friend that became an RN and she told me several times that she wishes she can go back to 'the good ole days'. Shocked me to hear that from her, but she hates the responsibility. I feel the same.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Knuckle Dragging Nurse aka MTA.
HI

Really? I don't see how that is possible. In NY some of the RN's are making $32.00 a hour.

In the state of CT, RN's are making $80,000.00. For every RN referral, they get $5,000.00 and for every DR they refer, they get $15,000.00.

Sounds insane huh?

I did see an ad in the paper for LPN starting at $28.00 at an agency. Which is great money to me. But I am not sure if the are offering benefits?

Which really at this point, I have no business looking at jobs. I don't start school until Sept.

Thanks for the info.

JoAnn

I top out at $35 an hour, actually $36 with the educational incentive* and physical fitness pay*. Keep in mind, I am a peace officer (cop) and nurse, so I get paid to do both jobs. It is very easy for me to hit $100,000 a year with a few OT here and there.

*The state of California pays an extra $135 a month to individuals in this classification with an Associates degree or higher, and $130 a month for being physically fit.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, MDS Cordnator, Mental Health.

My Daughter is an LPN... and I became a Nurse because of her... But I went into it with the goal to become an RN. Where I work the LPNs work Very Hard. they are on there feet all day. I was an LPN for 2 years while going to school for my RN. being an RN has just been Great so far. I have been teaching the new NA's and I love it. I love the Knowlege base. and beleive me it is not about the money if it were i would be working in a Hospital or traveling. I work in LTC. I am going on to get my RN to Masters for Education. I want to teach at the Local College.

The ADN Progam was the hardest year I have ever had. It was brutal. but the moment I graduated I was very proud of what I accomplished.

To the OP. Its your life. Nothing anybody says or does, matters, It's what you want that matters. Your touch, Your smile, the moment you take to make some one more comfortable is what matters. When it becomes about money then the human perspective goes out the window. YOU make a difference. regardless of the title.

Education is never a waste. The oppertunities in nursing are wide open for nurses and they grow with each step on the educational Ladder.

best wishes

DEE

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I am still an LPN--almost 7 years now. I am young still and part of me does want to go back to school. However, where I work I would have to give up my job once I became an RN (they don't staff more than one RN in my office, and we already have one). I love, love, love my job and do not want to give it up, so that is what keps me from actively pursuing further education. Right now I have no weekends, evenings, or holidays, and all of that would change with the title of RN behind my name instead of LPN. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I am still an LPN--almost 7 years now. I am young still and part of me does want to go back to school. However, where I work I would have to give up my job once I became an RN (they don't staff more than one RN in my office, and we already have one). I love, love, love my job and do not want to give it up, so that is what keps me from actively pursuing further education. Right now I have no weekends, evenings, or holidays, and all of that would change with the title of RN behind my name instead of LPN. :)

Where do you work? Sounds like a great job!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

i moved to texas and some of the lpns i speak to are maken $17 an hour.I have also spoke to some rns that say they make $30 an hr thats a big difference.I believe you just have to like what you do,if your content where you are stay there.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion