LPN futhering ed to RN

scoutgirl17 · Aug 18, 1998

I'm sorry to hear you've been doing RN work for LPN pay. I have nothing against LPNs

but most that I have worked with in my 14 years of nursing seem to forget that they have had at most what? half a year of training? Whereas an R.N has had anywhere from 2-4 years of schooling of which half of that deals with highly needed assesment and management skills which I have found greatly lacking in some LPNs. Yes they can tell me what is currently happening with my patient but have no idea sometimes as to the underlying physiological reasons. Also LPNS are not taught a great deal of management skills which are used when dealing with nurse-techs and nursing aids. I have also dealt with older LPNS who have felt that they should be in charge because they have been nursing longer. Nursing has become highly technical in the last few years and patient illnesses are more acute. Assessment skills are a must. Most hospitals and nursing homes are looking for RN BSNS now. My hospital is phasing out LPNS completely. I have seen only 2 LPNS stop grumbling about this and go back to school for their RN degree. I admire these women. I hope you are one of these. If so I wish you luck.

jaylex · Aug 19, 1998

Scoutgirl 17, I am in no way attempting to place blame on RN's or anyone else. Although I am an LPN, I'm also a charge nurse with an LPN as a supervisor. We draw blood, hang blood, insert/replace G-tubes, initial assessments, charging a # of staff members with 98 patients in our building. Yes, we have an RN as our DON. I don't mean to sound like a complainer. I realize RN's went through a lot of training and extensive @ that. Alot of charting involved in RN nursing. I do commend those whose gone on to become RN, because that's my goal, but my main point was it's discouraging all it takes to get there. And I'm still convince that alot of us are doing RN type work. You all deserve the pay that you're receiving. I too don't want anyone gripping about difference in pay between RN'S & LPN'S when I become an RN. On the other hand there are plenty of RN'S who can't do what LPN'S does.

mary · Aug 19, 1998

Scoutgirl...I am sorry that you feel that sitting in a school room is what makes a good nurse! I have known many LPN'S who have gone on for their RN's and are shocked at how little they have to learn in the way off assessing! (over and above what they already know!) I am presently doing this, and all of the assesing that I am learning, is stuff that I have already learned! I m going back to school because I love to learn theory..not because I feel inadequate as a nurse! For an LPN to succeed and excel, a good RN will teach that LPN to do the needed assessments! Also, as in my case...I have an extensive college background already and am able to develop and implement care plans without difficulty and in proper English! (which I have found is very hard for some nurses to do.)

I am not trying to be argumentative or rude, it's just that so many RN's complain about LPN skills..thy living without those LPN's for a while. I live in Rochester, NY, where, as a leading HMO provider area, many LPN's were phased out in hospitals a few years ago. Those same RN's who complained , have been fighting (successfully, I might add)desperately for them back..They were forced to do all assessing themselves on every patient because the LPN's were replaced with pt. care techs. A few RNs lost their liscenses because they didn't have time to go assess every patient and relied on what the Techs. said. Lpn's and RN's should be a team...working and assessing and implementing together for the good of the pt. Try giving those LPN's credit for what they do and you'll find that you will get much more respect. Regarding managing the Nursing assistants...maybe the LPN's are just treating them with the same respect that you give to the LPN's...we all want to feel important and needed in what we do. None of us want to feel that we are less important than some one else. Remember that at work tomorrow.....

[This message has been edited by mary (edited 08-18-98).]

KittieLVNstnt · Sep 6, 1998

It's posts like these that really rob the pure joy out of LVN school. The 'better than thou' attitude is simply depressing! I have taken every prereq for the RN program, but due to enourmous wait lists and California's compacted programs, I decided to go for an 18 month (hardly half a year) program and get out into the work force faster. Why? Because believe it or not, caring for patients is what interests me most. Not worrying about who is my superior. Does that make me less of a person? If you think so, then some self examination maybe in order.

LVN students in my region have considerably MORE clinical hours than community college ADN students. The LVN programs are intense with 5 hours of homework a night, and by no means are they a half year. Try 18 months.

Most LVN to RN mobility students I've met are amazed at the ease and repeition of the program. There are great RNs, great LVNs, and poor LVNs and poor RNs.

As far as the phase out, just about every hospital tries it and ends up going back. They can't afford a staff consisting solely of RNs. Actually, hospitals in Sacramento, CA staff care teams as follows-

1 RN:3 LVNs:7 CNAs.

Proud to be a future LVN,

Julie

mary · Sep 7, 1998

Julie- I'm proud to be an LVN/LPN too!! How many more of us are there out there????????? What kind of nurse are you? Do you work in an office too??

KittieLVNstnt · Sep 7, 1998

Hi Mary!

I am a student right now, although I've done a whole lot of volunteering as well as working as a CNA.

I have worked in offices, LTC facilities, and med surge. I hope to get into the office setting upon graduation (CAN'T WAIT!!) I like the hours and weekends and I love the idea of working with pts in an office setting as opposed to hospital bed..

I'd love to be able to chat about some of your duties and your satisfaction. Would you like to email back and forth?

nisey · Sep 18, 1998

I'm glad to see a LPN wanting to further education. I am a very proud LPN. I have and do work with many RNs, and I'm sorry to say -- many of these are much less competent than the LPNs. LPNs receive tons more clinical in school than do RNs. Most of my training was in the form of hands on. No book or "theory" can prepare one for true - life nursing. It is very sad that there are many RNs who feel so superior to LPNs. Yes, they do have a deeper knowledge of theory, but they are not better because they have had 2 - 4 years of school. I hope you finish your degree. And when you do please treat the LPNs and CNAs with the respect they deserve, because they are just as dedicated and competent as you are.

monica f · Mar 22, 2000

I am currently a LPN going on to get my RN. LPN school was by far harder than RN school. Not only did I have more clinical hours as an LPN student I learned TIME MANAGEMENT! Time management is one of the most important skill you learn in school. In LPN school we worked our way up to take 5+ patients a shift and one care plan, but in all of the RN programs that I have heard of you just have one-two patients a shift and then you have a care plan. Since when do you just have 2 patients on the floor to take care of? I don't think you will see this situation very often unless you work critical care. I value what I learned in my LPN program and am very glad that I went though the LPN program before going for my RN.

Bernadette · Apr 3, 2000

Their should be no question about the law, your license, and responsibilities. Read your nurse practice act. No gray. Right or wrong. Just the facts. Every title is a respected team player in healthcare. Attitude is a different issue altogether.

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colo · Apr 7, 2000

Dont mean to be disruptive but the statement that LPN's have "half a year training" is crap. Every program I've ever heard of is a full calendar year. That's 12 months. An ADN has two 9 month school years, giving them only 6 months additional training. As I said, dont mean to be disruptive and in no way do I mean to suggest that the additional 6 months isnt important. But just wanted the record straight

mcrow · Apr 11, 2000

I want to say that I am proud to be a LPN. No one should ever be made feel ashamed of what they do (or for what they are not able to do). I could not afford college, but I have my own internet business and am excited about my future. Life is good for LPNs also.