NursingLink

Anyone considering nursing, become a RN...that's what I have to say. I became a LPN in my late 30's--now I am 53 and I know life would be a lot easier if I had studied for RN when I was younger. My brain does not retain information like it did when I was young. I am off and on when it comes to going for the RN now because, well, simply put, most people my age (not everyone) but most, just don't want to work that hard and don't have as much time or stamina. Should I? who knows? Most places want a younger nurse because they will have a longer life span at their job. If I were an older RN with experience, I could work but now, it is hard. Everyone who is young should go for RN. To be honest, unless a LPN has had an incredible amount of nursing experience for over 15 years, and is respected at her/his job, I would rather have a RN take care of me if I were sick. RNs are taught things LPN's will never know without schooling...I know a lot of LPN's will disagree but I have been a nurse for 16 years and I know what I know. Yes, we work hard and I have been expected to do things that only a RN has been trained to do. I have a varied background and have been in the trenches with the RNs but I still don't think I'm "there". I never will be w/o the extra training.

If you are considering, be a RN. Do it because you want to do the job right.

Just my thoughts, Thanks for listening.

I'm not quite sure how to take your post. It sounds like you're putting LPNs down. I am a LPN and have been for 27 years. Yes, I would encourage anyone thinking of nursing school to pursue a RN degree because of the money. I've worked with both LPNs and RNs. But I would prefer a LPN with experience to take care care of my family member instead of a RN right out of school .There's been alot written about this very subject here on this site.. Look under groups: LPNs Are Nurses Too. and RN Wannabees. This discussion has been going on for as long as I can remember. I wouldn't want to go back for my RN now. If I went back to school, I'd go for something altogether different. In the last couple of places I've worked, most of the nurses are your age and not the young nurses. I guess experience does count for something!  PS I really take offense to your last remark "If you are considering to be a RN, do it because you want to do the job right" That makes it sound like LPNs don't do the job right. It's very insulting to LPNs!

Roxanne, Thanks for the encouraging words....should never let age get in the way...unless you are ill or have certain problems that keep you from returning. Thank you also for recognizing that many LPN's work extremely hard...I know I have...and I have suffered physically from it, too, as many nurses have. (bad backs, feet, burn-out and more) I did start an RN program once, though and found that the things taught were far more advanced than anything I ever learned in LPN school. I have also been in situations where I was not capable of dealing with all the complications that were presented. I was taught by military nurses in an orthopedic setting right from the start and much was expected from me but it was definitely a learning experience I'll never forget.

Charlita, why would I put down LPN's? I worked my you know what off for a long time. I don't put myself down. I made less and I was expected to do the same work, like dmazment said. Look at the job section of any paper. There is a reason why most places want RN's. I don't doubt that we can learn a lot and work hard and may know more than a new RN but I still believe that the RN has the knowledge at her/his disposal. They have earned a degree due to hard study and discipline of the mind. Have you ever tested your knowledge with a RN's?

Please don't take this as a put down. You would be taking this personally and that is not my intent...to put anyone down. God knows we work hard. RN's get respect, better jobs and better pay for a reason. That's all. Sorry if you take offense.

I have been a LPN for 27, tomorrow is my final (YIPPY!!) for my ADN.  It took me long enough. You know all these years I've heard the negative crap about being a LPN.  Now going through the motion, I'm not sure all the hub bub. The only thing I've done differently is doing IV push meds.  I can now do the IV Reglan instead of hunting down a RN to do it. I don't know maybe I'm missing something. Another thing, I went on line to apply for a job at the local hospital, I will have to take a $4.00 cut in pay from my current job. When I first got into the program it was going to be a $0.25 pay raise, now it's a major cut. All I can think is stay in a LPN position until I take the NCLEX and then cross that bridge when I get there...it's only a $3.00 cut in pay once I pass the NCLEX. I know it's the starting pay but it just burns my butt. 

I started as an LPN. When I went for my BSN I was shocked to learn how much I did not know as an LPN. Same thing when I went for my MSN. I thought wow, I did not know that. Education does make a difference. I always encourage everyone to go for the RN rather than the LPN. I am not sorry I did the LPN first but if I had it to do over I would have gone straight for the RN.

Speaking of pay. When I went from LPN to RN I was a bit miffed that the HR dept at the hospital I applied to did not take my LPN experience into account. I was also VERY miffed to find out that an LPN made more than I did as an RN charge nurse.

I agree with everyone's comment about going straight to the RN. I wished I would of done this much earlier. I feel some of my neurons are leaving me at almost age 37. I've been a CNA for almost 10 years. Sap, you wanted to know at what point can a person become a LVN. In the State of Californnia. If you are a EMT, MEDIC in the military, a Medical Assistant, a RN student, and a CNA for almost 10 years, you can challenge the boards to become a License Vocational Nurse. The traditional way, would be regular LPN nursing program. I didn't  want to go through a LPN nursing program, because I said to myself, if I am going to go through a nursing program, I am not going do three programs, that would be a over kill, so I decided to work as a hospital tech/unit secretary untill I complete all my prereiquistes for my ADN degree. I am two classes away from getting my ASN in science, but I would rather complete a RN program, and get a ADN in nursing, and later get my MSN.