Why are students going into LPN programs?

JBMmom, MSN, NP · Oct 7, 2011

The clinical instructors I've had told us that LPNs generally make the transition from school to work much more smoothly than RNs because their training is so much more clinical intensive than many RN programs. As someone that came from no patient care background to the RN program, I can see where the LPN program would be a great way to get started. They can bridge into our RN program with only two semesters to go, and having a higher level of comfort with patient care would have been a huge advantage coming into this semester.

Also, as others have said, the ability to work per diem during nursing school must be a big bonus to the LPNs.

One of the best nurses I've worked with in clinical so far was an LPN. It's too bad the hospital is phasing them out because she's awesome.

futurenurseya33 · Oct 7, 2011

I don't think the OP was trying to be demeaning. But I do think that they are trying to phase out LPN. I'm in an RN program and I think they are trying to phase the ADN part of it. More places are trying to go for Magnet status and only want BSNs. If that is true, where would the LPNs fit?

Bob_N_VA · Oct 8, 2011

From what I see in the hospital LPN's are used in many situations interchangeably with RN's. Our hospital based program has a good amount of students moving through it and we also have a bridge program with folks that have at least one year experience to bridge over to RN. The academic requirements are not as stringent either, so folks don't have to spend as much time taking college classes for pre-reqs to get in. In my area (Virginia) there are still plenty of opportunities for LPN's. Its a good step up from CNA's or techs salary wise. HTH.

mangopeach · Oct 8, 2011

I don't think the OP was trying to be demeaning.

Oh I do think the OP was trying to be demeaning. He/She had another post referring to "snobby" LPN students.

virgo,student nurse, CNA · Oct 8, 2011

I think it is every persons personal choice to pursue whatever road to nursing they choose.

Who are we to judge someone's road to success ? JMO.

mermcm83 · Oct 9, 2011

I live in Michigan, and they start us off at $26.50 an hour...and I'm not mad about that :) I have a friend in AZ who started off the same, $39 overtime....so I guess it's were you live and what you are willing to do. LPN was a stepping stone for me, I can easily get a job as an RN once I graduate, and have the experience under my belt....Good Luck everyone!

wetzoo · Oct 9, 2011

This post is offensive and I'm not even a LPN.

Some would say the exact same thing you wrote about CNAs. Point is, you have no right to downgrade anyone's education. And it's complete fabrication that LPNs make "only a few dollars" more than CNAs.

chinacatSN · Oct 9, 2011

My program requires you to take the LPN program before you can take the RN program. Very few of the BSN programs in my area take students who don't have their LPN or RN already.

It may seem like a waste of money to you, but our students are very successful. The clinical nurses are happy when they learn we are already LPNs. We don't require as much supervision during clinical during our RN year because we are already licensed and can perform many skills on our own. I have also come across many students in the Accelerated BSN programs who wish they hadn't gone that route and had gone the more traditional route. Not to mention, as LPNs, we can work AS NURSES while we get our RN - which allows us to have more experience when we graduate with our associate's which gives us an advantage. We have clinical nurses tell us all the time that our program is fantastic and they love our students because many of us are currently working as nurses and we know what we're doing during clinical - they don't have to remind us or make sure we are getting things done because we already know what to do.

I don't think it's a waste of time or money because I work as an LPN while getting my RN and I make good money and don't have to take out as many loans. I also get the experience, which is really nice. There are TONS of nursing home jobs for LPNs. Nursing homes may not seem like they're very interesting but they can be. I work for a temp agency and I get sent to various LTC facilities and clinics in the area. I've seen tons of different wounds, incisions, wound vacs, feeding tubes, etc. from just going to nursing homes. I've also done flu shot clinics, TB clinics, blood draw/lab clinics, and now my skills with immunizations, blood draws, and needles are fantastic and I have tons of confidence.

Also - I feel really sorry for those who fail out or have to drop out of RN or BSN programs. They don't have a degree or license to show for their work. At least with my program, you will have your LPN. Having an LPN license may not be what they wanted, but it's more than they had before and they can use it to work and make money.

I'm a little offended by your post and it sounds ignorant. If you're going to be a nurse, you need to work on your communication skills and how you word things. Maybe do a little research.

KimN · Oct 10, 2011

I'm having a hard time understanding why you would even be spending your time talking badly about LPNs ... I saw that you were talking negatively about them in a previous post. In fact i'm not even sure I buy that you are a BSN student at all... anyone can be who they want to be online & you seem quite bitter for some unknown reason.

In my area many LPNs can find work in LTC facilities, urgent care clinics, and jails. There are many who do it as a way to do the RN bridge. And btw .. if pay is your incentive to become a nurse or bash other nurses.. good luck in this profession!

rn/writer, RN · Oct 10, 2011

Debate the issue, please, and not the poster. A well-reasoned rebuttal accomplishes more than a scolding.

xtxrn, ASN, RN · Oct 10, 2011

I'm sorry but I feel like it is a waste of time and money. In my area in NJ you cannot find LPN jobs. If they want the patient experience why not become a cna? I am a cna and a bsn student. I just want to pull them all aside and say dont waste your money or time!

Well, the BS part of the program seems to be good

Seriously, you have no idea where people are coming from, their current responsibilities, financial issues re: tuition, childcare issues that require something fast to get a larger paycheck (by the way each dollar per hour increase is 173.00+ per MONTH-- that's gas/groceries/diapers/partial childcare/utility bill/etc that they didn't have before....what's worth it to you may be life-changing to someone else).

The LPNs are your superior now..... I hope you can at least learn to speak for yourself and not an entire group of nurses (and I'm not an LPN/LVN.....graduated from RN program in 1985- had you been born then? :)).

Chill about what other people choose-- not up to you. :twocents:

Lifeofanurse · Oct 10, 2011

I did it because it's about the same length when added to the transition program to RN. I can work as an LVN while in RN school. Sure I could have paid the 1k, done the CNA class and worked for FAR less $ and twice as hard.

LVN jobs are hard to come by here in Houston. Well there are some...but not an abundance like everyone seems to think.

New grads, like me, are having a really difficult time getting ANY lvn job...no one wants to be the one to be our first job and let us get the experience we need. It sucks.

BUT....I know of a whole class of 2yr RN students in the same boat. No one will hire them...