[gentlegiver]

I am an LPN, I am proud to have completed the courses required to get my licence. It wasn't easy working full time while going to school full time and raising 2 daughters on my own. When I passed the boards I was thrilled, then I had a pt (a retired RN) ask when I'd become a "real" Nurse. She became very upset when I informed her I was a "real" nurse. But, I am becoming frustrated by the lack of job opportunities available. The only jobs that seem open to me are LTC or Dr's offices. At one place I went into they had me working as a CNA because they said LPN's are not used to do Nursing jobs except in an emergency (when the RN's were busy) and then only to pass meds, nothing else. I'm not looking forward to more schooling, but, in order find a better job I'll have to. My boss just informed me that Ma. has changed the pay scale for LPN's & RN's from Pools to work in Hospitals. Pools are now able to charge more for LPN's in hospital settings and RN's in LTC's. What's next???? Talk about locking in an entire profession! I know, I'm venting, but, does anyone else feel this way??

[lpnmaura]

Yes we are real nurses!!! I graduated from an LPN program in June 2006. I am working 3-11 in LTC on a 'sub-acute' unit. This past week I have had patients with trachs, g-tubes, j-tubes, IV meds, foley caths, supra pubic caths, pacemakers, defibs, ESRD, psychotics, s/p all kinds of surgeries and one death. That was just this week. I have 23 patients on my team with 2 or 3 cna's and me - the NURSE. I am enrolling in an RN program and I have a BS in another field. I eventually want to teach. Dont let anyone ever tell you that an LPN is not really a nurse.

[marwan]

Hi Gentlegiver,

You're a Nurse. Always remind yourself that nursing and/or caring for other people is what you offer to other people. There's something more to what academic requirements. Genuine caregiving is not learned in any college or university. It's within you -- you nurture it and let it grow.

Congratulations for being a nurse. I wish I'll be like you someday.

[kstec]

Yes LPN's are real nurses or atleast were considered nurses years ago. I am also a LPN and when I started my pre-req's years ago, LPN's were a high contributor to the health field, now things have changed. From what I gather the BON has had the big impact on taking responsibility from the LPN and putting it on the RN, which in turn makes the RN's our babysitters even though we carry our own liability insurance and have our own scope of practice. I know I probably ticked someone off with the babysitter comment, but that is how I feel and how the RN's are made to feel since they have to check everything that LPN's do and be responsible for their actions.(Atleast in Illinois). If you've been a LPN for a million years you can still work in whatever area you started out in but they are forcing them to get their RN or be terminated. How sad is that to know that you as a LPN have training and skills to offer but aren't considered good enough. Again this is just my opinion, not meant to get snide comments from anyone. If you have a snide comment, please keep it to yourself. I debate going and getting my RN but they do have more responsibility than an LPN in Illinois, but I do not want that. I want to contribute to my patients care as a LPN not necessarily as a RN. Right now I work prn in a LTC facility and a clinic the two main places for LPN's and I enjoy both and never have I yet been made to feel that I am inadequate or not a nurse. So I guess I will stay where I feel like I am a nurse and am treated like one also.

[gt4everpn]

YES WE ARE REAL NURSES, WE WENT TO SCHOOL, PASSED OUR BOARDS, AND MUST PERFORM AT A PARTICULAR STANDARD AS A licensed practical NURSE!!!!!!!!!!, I MEAN IF WE WEREN'T NURSES WHY WOULD OUR STATES CALL US LPN/LVN- DA N IS 4 NURSE! DON'T FEEL DOWN SURE U CAN'T DO EVERYTHING AN RN CAN DO BUT U WORK JUST AS HARD! REMEMBER YOUR FELLOW LPN/LVN'S ARE WITH YOU, WE STAND TOGETHER- STAY STONG, STAND TALL- FROM ONE NURSE TO ANOTHER

[sister--*]

Perish the thought! Of course LPNs are real nurses. I don't know what our facility would do without them! As with everything there are good and bad. I'd give my right hand for the good LPN practitioners I work with! Oh, wait, they ARE my right hand!

Don't allow anyone to put you or your scope of practice down! You are a real member of the health care team. You are necessary AND you are valuable!

[a32mag4mag]

I am an ADRN and have worked with some LPNs that have more on the ball than some MDs. You are a real nurse, and don't let anyone treat you otherwise. Sometimes the ADRN puts up with the same nonsense for not having a BSN. Don't let negative people get you down. I'm sure there are plenty of places to work where you will be appreciated.

[Tanzanite]

LPN here, yes I am a "Real life Nurse!" and you are too!

[DutchgirlRN]

I was a proud LPN for 23 years. My parents always referred to me as an LPN. 6 years ago when I got my RN my parents started referring to me as a nurse. Mom even said "now you are a real nurse". Gee, thanks Mom. Her being 79 y/o I just let it go but it did hurt.

[Alexk49]

They'll be people who always question one's credentials. Before I got my degree I was asked when I would get one. After I got my BS....it was my MS, now that I have both it is a Phd. LPNs are great nurses.