Would like some experienced RN/LPN career advice

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Well I am considering going for it. I am 32 years old, and since the age of 5 I have told everyone who asked me that I wanted to be an "RN" when I grew up. How the heck I knew what an RN was, I have no idea. So here I am, older than I thought I would be, considering going for an LPN or RN, can't decide and don't know if I can get the financial aid, but ready to see what my options are and ready to make a difference (don't laugh, I know a lot of you are understaffed and stressed out). I have some questions about the differences in both LPN and RN fields and really I just want to hear from LPN's and RN's personally, not just read a generic job description. I fully appreciate any replies you all might have.

Sincerely,

Renee in Oklahoma

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Hi Renee. I am an RN and depending on what you want to do in nursing will sway whether you will become an LPN or an RN. Unfortunately for LPN's, most hospitals have few places for them to work. It might depend on the state, etc.... If you become an RN, I think you will have many, many more options.

By the way, I received my license juuuuust after I turned 40. You go girl!

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Specializes in cardiac/critical care/ informatics.

I agree with the op, RN will open many more opportunities for you, it doesn't really take that much longer. Your age should not be an issue. Go for it.

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I have a sensitive natured question to ask. Hopefully you don't think me silly. My husband has a slight problem with me doing a lot of catheters on male patients. I understand where he is coming from, but being an RN is a life long dream of mine. Is there any field I can go into that I wouldn't be dealing with a lot of..well...male parts :) I can't believe I just asked that...Who else would i ask? You all know about this stuff!...lol

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I don't think you're silly. I think HE'S being silly.

I'm 32 as well, and I'm applying to nursing school this year. You're not too old!

Like I said, he's being silly. To me. Just my opinion.

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I have a sensitive natured question to ask. Hopefully you don't think me silly. My husband has a slight problem with me doing a lot of catheters on male patients. I understand where he is coming from, but being an RN is a life long dream of mine. Is there any field I can go into that I wouldn't be dealing with a lot of..well...male parts :) I can't believe I just asked that...Who else would i ask? You all know about this stuff!...lol

labor & delivery?

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LOL, so it's either all female parts or nothing at all? So I am assuming you deal with a lot of male parts as an RN??? I thought the LPNs did that mostly...I am confused.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, thank you so much for the encouragement about the age thing. I am horrified I will walk into class my first day and see only young whipper snappers! I don't want to be the grandmother nurse in the class!

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I just saw in the paper the other day that the average nurses age is 41 and will be 45 by 2010. you are never too old. Rn's get paid better for doing a lot of the same things and if you are going to face the same emergencies why not go for the better RN training. because it is usually easier to get in to an LVN/LPN course. If you take the quick and easy path, you can always go back for your RN later.

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I was 35 when I went back to school and I was not the oldest person in class. I was the second oldest. The class after me had 5 students that were older than I was.

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LOL, so it's either all female parts or nothing at all? So I am assuming you deal with a lot of male parts as an RN??? I thought the LPNs did that mostly...I am confused.

yep, you do deal with the male & female.

and no, lpn's don't necessarily do most of the catheterizing.

don't know where you got that idea.

anyway, there are many settings a nurse can work in.

if you work out-pt, it's safe to say you won't be cath'ing males.

if you work in the hospital, whether it's med/surg, oncology, telemetry, etc., you're dealing w/sick people w/specific needs.

if you work ltc, the older folk have medical needs.

so if your husband isn't comfortable, then you'll have to explore the many avenues open to you.

and i can assure you, you will not be the oldest student in your class.

it should be a nice blend of all ages.

much luck to you!!

leslie

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

Trust me... there is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING sexual about putting a cath in a male. In fact it is YUCK (male or female.. certainly not my number one reason for being a nurse!), but just like cleaning a poopy butt, it something that has got to be done and done professionally.

To the OP, if possible I would definately jump in both feet and go for the RN. I was an LPN for 19 years and FINALLY got my RN this past summer (38 years old). Jeez just wished I had done this first. Many many times I held RN type positions in LTC, but only got LPN wages and never got any great opportunities to advance. Good luck

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