To comment on the post Dr. Anderson made concerning LVN instructors. I currently work in an ADN program and the majority of my work consists of helping students in the lab with assessment and skills. It just so happens our rooms and my office is located in the middle of the LVN education department. Prior to taking the position in the ADN dept. I had looked into the LVN department, however at the time because I did not have my BSN as odd as this sounds I did not qualify for a position with their dept. After working in this area over the past year, I have noticed a big difference in the attitudes of the LVN vs ADN students. For example, the first semester ADN students seem to "gripe" about more and expect to be "spoon fed" by the faculty; however the LVN students seem to work together and focus on learning the material and skills given to them. Before check-off's or exams I notice the LVN students focused on studying the material. The ADN students are more focused on wanting to study only the material in which they will be tested. Basically they want to memorize what you are going to test them on, regurgitate it and forget it. I am sure we have all been guilty of this before, however this is material they need to be retaining long term.
I also have the opportunity to sit in on the APA committee and review the students grades and letters of appeal who seek re-admittance into the ADN program after failure of a semester. I have found that many of the instructors are quick to deny their re-admittance to the ADN program and refer them to the LVN program. Is this really fair to the LVN program....It is saying "your not good enough for us, so we will send you to the LVN's". Personally I can see it both ways, however there is ALOT of animosity between the LVN and ADN department and I have not figured this out.
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This is exactly the sort of attitude that I was referring to. I believe this is due to the wages that RNs receive vs. those that VNs receive. RN programs seem to attract some students who aren't really interested in nursing so much as in a big paycheck for relatively little education. While that certainly doesn't apply to all RN students, having a few in a group will change the culture enough to make a difference. VN programs are typically more difficult and less monetarily rewarding. Those students generally want to be nurses. It's interesting, but unfortunate.
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