Almost 18 months as a LPN, I can still say that I made the right choice to go into nursing because it continues to challenge me and I love being a nurse.
DOWNSIDE of being a LPN:
- Some CNAs, NAs, PCTs, RNs, NPs, seems to think that we are NOT as educated, yet we are between the level of CNA/NA/PCTs and RNs
- Yet,... we are ones that "run" clinicals, doctors' offices, urgent cares, and LTC floors
- Yet,.. we are ones that "drop down" to CNA/NA/PCTs positions needed because we are short staff on our or another unit
- Yet,...we are constantly observing/"assessing" situations, skin, residents/patients while belittled by those above/below us because we are "less educated"
I have and will continue to be a nurse that will jump in and ask, "is there anything I can help you with?" I try to take the extra time to listen to my residents/Veterans that I work for because at the end of the day I'm there for them, that's why I became a nurse. I make no secret that I have my Bachelor of Sciences in Therapeutic Recreation with minor Psychology because I'm proud of that accomplishment but, becoming a nurse outweighs that degree by ten folds even if I'm "just LPN," which I don't say that about myself because I worked my arse off for that license and I asked a lot of my family while I did that. I'm a NURSE, and I beyond grateful for the instructors that I had instill in us that we may be LPNs but, taught us to the level of RN throughout our clinical routines because it prepared us to go into the workforce to work as a LPN but, think/assess as RN. To those that choose to stay "just LPNs" you are beautiful and I have upmost respect for you because you are the corner stone of nursing more than you realize.
When I enter into nursing as aide, I thought I would be satisfied at being an CNA because I helping people and I was hands on but, I felt a higher calling, I became a LPN and thought, "yay I made I'm a nurse, I can/will make a difference." While I know that I have made a difference in the 18 months of being a nurse, I feel like this journey isn't done.
Those that are questioning about being becoming LPNs, IMHO: "DO IT!!!!!" It was the best decision in my life, I love being nurse, and while a LOT of people DO NOT understand what function a LPN does, I do NOT regret a single day of being LPN because I know at the end of day that I'm still a NURSE, that's something to be proud.
