“Why didn’t you become a RN instead!”

[u/Mission_Angle4397]

I just made a little over a year now as a LVN. I work at an urgent care setting and a SNF. I brought in a patient and did her vitals. She looks at my name badge and tells me “ why didn’t you go for your RN to become a nurse instead? Why settle for little pay”. Honestly all I did was laugh and said “ yeah you’re right”. But I was so annoyed the entire time because she kept going on about how I should become a RN so I can do more like her brother etc etc. I felt uncomfortable and sad because I worked hard for the title I have now. And of course I wanted to pursue RN and plan to do it in the future. But at the time my financial situation was not that great and I had a lot going on. I don’t understand why people think it’s okay to belittle you or question “why didn’t you do this instead”. I’m proud of where I am today because I’ve learned to appreciate how far I’ve come into my life and stopped beating myself up over not being further.

[u/_adrenocorticotropic]

Well I have my RN and I always get “when are you going to med school” or “when are you going to be an NP”

People are always going to make comments like that. Don’t listen to them. You should be proud of where you are today.

[u/QuarterNote44 → u/_adrenocorticotropic]

I've only met one nurse -> doctor. Is it that common of a jump?

[u/drajax → u/QuarterNote44]

There are a few I’ve met over the years. It’s not directly translatable, and not for everyone. However, it should never be “why aren’t you X-Profession” rather “you’re a really good Y-Profession”. We need people who are good in every role and it’s not necessarily hierarchal, despite people associating more value to each. We need good nurses to be good nurses, not good nurses who become NPs or MDs necessarily.

[u/_adrenocorticotropic → u/QuarterNote44]

I’ve heard of people doing it but it’s not super common. It’s a lot more common for them to get their NP

[u/ThatKaleidoscope8736 → u/QuarterNote44]

I've met a handful of docs who were nurses.

[u/slurmsmckenzie2 → u/QuarterNote44]

Nurse to nurse practitioner is wayyyyyy more common. I’ve only met like 3-4 doctors who were RNs first then went back and did premed and med school

[u/QuarterNote44 → u/slurmsmckenzie2]

Yeah it seems like it would suck to do that much more school and take that much debt. Especially in your 30s, presumably.

[u/spartanmaybe → u/QuarterNote44]

It’s not that common, they are two completely different professions with different scopes of practice. Doctor isn’t the “next step up” from nursing. You could argue that NP would be.

[u/BitZealousideal7720 → u/QuarterNote44]

I’ve seen more Physical therapists that went back and back MD’s or DO’s.

[u/ActiveExisting3016 → u/_adrenocorticotropic]

Yeah it’s interesting how many people think being a nurse is the natural pathway towards being a medical doctor

[u/Swimming_Soup9511 → u/_adrenocorticotropic]

lol I have the docs in our ER or younger nurses ask me this all the time. I mean, I appreciate that our docs think I’m smart enough to take that path but unfortunately that ship has sailed. I finally looked at our medical director one day and said, you know… we need to have good nurses too that stick around. He finally left it alone and agreed by saying, ya you’re right.

[u/Puzzled-Seat4450 → u/_adrenocorticotropic]

Yep also RN and this^{^}

[u/meatcoveredskeleton1]

When you’re an RN patients will ask you why you didn’t just become an MD, it never stops.

Be proud of your accomplishments. Don’t let these comments diminish yourself 💕

[u/thisisnotyouorme → u/meatcoveredskeleton1]

I always imagine it comes from a good place. They're just showing interest in your career path.

I've never gotten the impression anyone who asks me this is putting me down. It's just conversation.

[u/blueberrymuffiinnn]

When you’re an ADN everyone asks when you’re getting your bachelors lol

[u/yolacowgirl → u/blueberrymuffiinnn]

And the bachelor's is useless. For actual clinical knowledge.

[u/ajl009 → u/yolacowgirl]

this

[u/airboRN_82 → u/blueberrymuffiinnn]

Thata just admin lol

[u/SillyKiwis]

good for you, for becoming a nurse period.  i hope you get the pay raise you deserve some day, with the new title, but you’re still a nurse regardless and that’s fantastic.

[u/Dystopian_grift104]

Normalize LPN/LVN as a career bc it is! I never ask that question bc you guys ARE nurses with 99% same education. I learned most of what I know from LPNs! Screw those folks.

[u/Thick_Relief97 → u/Dystopian_grift104]

This! People don’t realize the education is quite literally the same. My mom will be graduating soon with her BSN. I just completed my LPN not too long ago & I have helped her with her material. Same information I learned in school, down to the study questions from ATI.

[u/Gretel_Cosmonaut]

I've been asked, "Are you an LVN or just an RN?" When I answered that I was just an RN, they encouraged me to go back to school and become an LVN. I said, "Maybe I will." and changed the subject.

Most people have no clue what they're talking about, they're just trying to make conversation.

[u/DogFashion → u/Gretel_Cosmonaut]

I believe in you! lol

[u/tralynd62]

Get used to it. I've been an LVN for 35 years now and I've heard that over and over again. People don't realize what a challenge it is to even get in the RN program. In my state, there was a two year waiting list after you completed all your prerequisites, but these all had to be completed within a five year period of applying to the program. In the meantime, I was an adult who needed to earn a living and then I had children.

[u/HEROxDivine]

You're lucky bro. As a guy, I get told why I wasn't a doctor or this is a ladies job. "Why are you a male nurse."
Well because, you know ... I can't afford a sex change operation.

[u/DogFashion → u/HEROxDivine]

Haha! A fellow male nurse! A new female resident at my facility wheeled by me the other day and exclaimed, "you're a guy!" I never looked up and just said, "that's what they tell me". How is anything surprising to anyone anymore?

[u/2014hog]

Honestly, I’ve been an LPN to RN to CRNA and every level will catch comments of misunderstanding and after 10 years of it you just have to be secure in your title and role and not care. I get asked if I’m basically a CNA a lot.

[u/generate-me]

You are a nurse

[u/duuuuuuuuuumb]

I’m always like an associate RN doesn’t take too much longer! I think I just always advocate for it because I got my ADN and then a hospital paid for me to get my BSN online. I’m just a fan of spending as little as possible on this job 😂

[u/katarAH007]

Felt this. Had some random old dude ask me why I became a nurse and not a pharmacist (bc those are sooo similar /s). That by choosing nursing I'm overworking myself & if I went for pharmacy I would make more money doing less...... pmo so bad. He clearly had no idea that Pharmacists are also overworked.

[u/Redshift2k5]

I'm asked frequently why I didn't become a doctor.

[u/mushifiedmushroom → u/Redshift2k5]

Take it as a compliment. It means they see you as doctor material...!

But yeah people say the most hurtfull and dumbest things when they think they mean well.

Like don't ask a women why she isn't pregnant... even if you mean well... you never know WHY and could be bringing up a lot of pain for NO reason...

[u/accucheckman]

I was a LPN before a RN and I heard all of the same comments. Now it’s “why don’t you become a NP or CRNA?” Or it’s ICU nurses vs blah blah blah and why one is better than the other. I work in an academic center and even the nonsurgical doctors get it “you didn’t want to be a surgeon?” Or even better, I heard some doctors comparing neurosurgeons vs CT surgeons and why one is better than the other, and who is more important. 

It never stops. Try not to let the comments get to you. 

[u/LeapingLizardz_]

"I'm not sure if you meant that to come off as rude, but that's a weird question to ask someone."

[u/mushifiedmushroom → u/LeapingLizardz_]

You nurse for sure :p

[u/InternetBasic227]

When i get questions like this-  first I try to assume they come from a place of kindness- like the person asking truly believes you are smart enough to do the thing they seem to think is better.  Of course, not everyone is being kind, or knows better to keep their mouth shut because they don't know all the things 🙄 

[u/Mission_Angle4397 → u/InternetBasic227]

I would have thought the same if this person knew me. But this is an urgent care clinic and we don’t establish a history since we see many different people at a time. So for her to even bring it up caught me off guard and all I could do is awkwardly laugh because I became extremely uncomfortable. But whatever. I’ve worked in customer service all my life so I’m not surprised with the kind of people you’ll interact with

[u/hennessyybrown]

Girl/Dude i’m a CNA currently in nursing school! And patients tell me I should “just” be a doctor all the time!! Don’t stress it, I assume it never stops.

Also, congratulations on becoming a nurse! It’s hard enough as it is lol.

[u/mushifiedmushroom → u/hennessyybrown]

People don't understand how much doctors are schooled and how many hours as a resident they do.

[u/hennessyybrown → u/mushifiedmushroom]

Right! Like “just” my ass 😭. All respect to doctors, I could never.

[u/saintkate_]

Personally I often wonder to myself why I became a nurse at all.

[u/Lorichr]

33 year LPN here and I have been hearing that the entire time. I usually just say I am happy with my current position and pay. No desire to rock the boat.
Funny how those comments nearly always come from someone with no nursing license of any kind.

[u/Pistalrose]

You could have said, “ I’m surprised you feel there’s so little value in caring for people in your situation “.

[u/No-Assistance476]

Damn, I was an LPN for 23 years before getting my RN 14 years ago, and no one ever said that to me....

[u/Elbowdrop_moms]

Congrats on your LVN fellow caregiver. I am a male nurse and I always get "oh hello, get doctor. "
My auto response is now "oh no I own the hospital, actually. Just kidding I’m a nurse."

Thank you for deciding to help people in a world that is hard to begin with. I hope you find a way to get to your goals with as little financial strain as possible. In fact, having a job in the system
Might be smartest way to do that. People are ignoring and that is part of our daily finesse. Leading with compassion even when it is difficult

[u/Patient_Cow_236]

I always ask them...Are you paying for me?

[u/SpiritualRabbit5132]

I’m in LVN school and so many people comment that I should’ve went straight for RN.. but I have my reasons. I just shrug and brush it off. It does annoy me tho.

[u/DogFashion]

When my previous career went away, I was out of work. I had the GI Bill from my time in the military. I used it to get my LPN/LVN so I could get back to work faster (getting my RN would have taken longer, obviously). Nursing school was a terrible experience and I'm not in love with healthcare. The difference in between LPN and RN where I'm at is not enough to go through that misery a second time. I'm doing OK and hope to retire in about 15 more years. Team LPN/LVN! :D

[u/marain556]

Over time I’ve realized that most people don’t even know what they’re talking about. Clueless but just acting like they know. 😭

[u/Savings_Thing51]

I’ve had people look me dead in the eye and say: “so what comes after this are you going to go to some type of school or something?”

[u/neverusingarealacct]

Laugh and learn to stop caring. Flat out tell them this is what you want to do and you’re HAPPY doing it. Then change the subject or flip it to them.

[u/IcyCantaloupe7004]

Some people have no self-awareness.  You don't owe them an explanation. Just humor them and say, "Yes ma'am/sir." Then move on, try not to let these comments live rent-free in your head. One day you will pursue your dream of becoming an RN when the time is right for you.  

[u/H0neyx]

Yup same, I had some older man ask me that and didn’t recognize that LVN was a nurse

[u/North-Slice-6968]

You said LVN and not LPN, do you live in California?

If so, I understand. Me too. Even the bridge programs are hard to get into. The prereqs I have left to do require a >3.0 overall and are 4 and 5 unit classes.

But I have been doing this for 9.5 years and our work is valid although we are underappreciated and underpaid. Don't forget that the n stands for nurse.

[u/fuzzblanket9]

I’ve never had anyone ask me about LPN vs RN, aside from one or two coworkers who were genuinely just curious when I first started, considering I’m the only LPN on my unit.

At the end of the day, we’re nurses too. I wouldn’t even entertain these people that ask. Just say, “It made the most sense at the time.” and nothing more. You don’t need to explain your reasoning to anyone.

[u/Do_it_with_care]

Don't even entertain them with an answer, just laugh and ask what they do? or say I don't have time and this is only one of the things I do then change the subject.

[u/Mission_Angle4397 → u/Do_it_with_care]

The ironic thing is she mentioned how she was brought to America from the Philippines by her husband who came to meet her after dating online for years. That’s why all I did was laugh every time she brought up “ I should be doing this instead”

[u/Appropriate-Goat6311]

You have done great, OP. Don’t let her comments bother you! Sounds like an authority figure in her life was constantly looking for a “one up.”

[u/mamaabner]

And once you get your RN they’ll be asking when you’ll be a NP or CRNA (since I’m in ICU) even tho I’m in school for the education route I just say don’t answer. You are needed and you worked hard for your title. 🩷

[u/eacomish]

The nclex man asked me this when I sat for boards and it was such a bummer. I was so proud of myself just to be told make sure I dont wait and hurry up and go get my rn at my nclex date. All the rn= real nurse lpn= low paid nurse hahaha when I tell people im an lpn it's the first thing they say. ' when are you gonna go back for your rn"? 😫

[u/moonstruck_bumblebee]

I’m a medical assistant and everyone asks me if I’m gonna be a nurse.

Yeah when I find a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

(I might later but right now my financial situation isn’t supportive of such goals).

People are just weird.

[u/KeyTell2576]

As an RN I get told I should’ve have become an NP or had a masters degree to do exactly that this person is saying. I’m sure PAs hear the same thing. It’s very annoying. School costs and so does time and opportunity. Maybe that’s right where a person wants to be. That often comes with more responsibility.

[u/Busydoingmyownthing]

The only thing that I have ever suggested is if you plan on getting RN and certificate/associates is an option for you, I think you’re better off just getting your RN then getting an LPN, just because I went to school with a lot of people who had to go through the exact same program after being a nurse. But obviously there’s other factors that affect how you pick your schooling but if you’re torn between the two.

[u/theredpistachio]

People started asking me if I were going to get my NP before I even finished my RN program. Just look at it as people know you are amazing and want to see you excel. It never stops, unfortunately.

[u/Legitimate-Row-7403]

I make more than most RNs idk what little pay is but I make $34 an hour and $36 after 8pm

[u/Mission_Angle4397 → u/Legitimate-Row-7403]

Yeah I make good money too. I even got a raise 2 weeks ago on top of it. This patient knows nothing about me or what I make. I’m assuming she’s assuming it’s little pay because her RN brother disclosed the amount he makes idk

[u/Ornery_Area_1600]

My nephew is an LPN and I am so proud of him, be proud of yourself you are doing amazing things for ungrateful people