Dear Donna,
I have been an LPN for 15 years. I would like to further my education but do not want to become an RN. What do you suggest?
Wants to Go Back to School
Dear Wants to Go Back to School,
It’s great that you want to further your formal education, and you don’t have to become an RN to do so. In fact, you have many other options.
Many LPNs (and RNs) go back to school to obtain degrees in areas such as healthcare management, healthcare information technology, public health, health education and even majors such as journalism and communications. All of these have relevance in healthcare. Combined with your nursing background, this can make for a dynamic professional package.
When choosing a major, find a program with coursework and curriculum that is interesting and exciting to you. What matters is that you get the degree. The actual major is less important. The one exception is if you want to teach nursing, in which case you typically need a degree in nursing. For additional tips and advice for choosing a major and other practical aspects of returning to school, read the article “How to get back to school.”
Best wishes,
Donna
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WOW! Going through the same thing. I’ve been an LPN for 20 years and I and exhausted, overwhelmed and just need out.
Nice to know I’m not alone, but also have no idea where to go.
frustrated LPN
I am totally going through this same senario. I am tired of patient care, I dont want to invest 3-4 years in college to get my RN. I am looking for some options that will help me make it through to retirement.
I too am feeling all the same exact things if the others. I am fatigued, i donot have the energy for anither 3 to 4 years to become an rn but i do want to research better options especially beibg that i am quickly agibg, still need to work. What in the world can an LVN do im sure there has got to be better options for us beyond . Lord help us
I am a LPN with a bachelor degree in science and Associate Degree I am tired of nursing what else can I do
I feel the same as the above feel. I been a LPN for 15 years. I want out of nursing. What else can I do and make decent money?
Laronda Mccampbell, I’ve been a LVN for 25years, and I have felt and still do have the feelings about Nursing as you all do. I was out of work for a year and took that time to take classes in medical billing and coding. Sent to a dental office to do internship but was not trained in that area. Couldn’t find a job. Evey medical office only wanted to offer me a Nursing job. And im still having that problem for any medical office work
I’m going through this same phase right now. I have been an LPN now for almost 17 yrs and l’m truly burnt out and tired of doing patient care and all the politics and deceitfulness in this field. I need to find a job where l can continue making the same income if not more and be excited about going to work on a daily basis. I thought about putting my hat in to physical therapy as a career change. I’m ok with doing 4 years. The issue is the funding. Where can l find funding.
What advice can you give to students that are trying to study LPN ?
Damilola,
As a career LPN (30 years). Continue school to your RN and don’t stop at LPN. BEST advice for you. LPNs don’t get paid as well and do much of the same work in certain environments and are very limited and treated much less than. It’s exhausting.
Can a LPN get a BSN?
Hello Janice,
Yes, a licensed practical nurse can earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing. It is often the case that individuals enter nursing as CNAs and LPNs and find that they enjoy the field, so they decide to continue their schooling, become RNs and complete bachelor’s degree in nursing programs.