[brownladyspn]

Originally Posted by DGood

Not trying... just giving an opinion.
Question: Do LPN's take the same exact NCLEX?? I thought it was and LPN NCLEX (can't remember what it's called).

PS> I'm not trying to be smart, I'm trying to learn about LPN's

LPN/LVN take NCLEX LPN. The test content is differant I am sure but we still take the board exam so that we can be licensed in the USA. When I received my passing score on my NCLEX I received a license of Practical Nursing from the state of Georgia. I am a NURSE just the same as an RN is a NURSE just as MSN is a NURSE. I worked very hard to become an LPN as one of the instructors in y program of study said it best LPN students learn in 18 months whata RN students gets over four years. No I am not saying that we have all the leadership and management courses that a RN has but we are very well educated. The emphasis on LPN programs are your clinical/technical training. Many times the LPN will be agood resource for you when you finish RN school and go to work on the nursing floor in a hospital.

So when someone ask me what do I do for a living I say I am a nurse, and that is the truth of the matter.

I am also studying for my RN license simply because I do the same job in my hospital as an RN so that I can get e better salary doing the same job I am doing now, taking great care of my patients.

[UNFORGETABLE2667]

I say that I am "a nurse". if asked to specify, then i will. I was previously a medical assistant in a physicians office. Even though the doctors refered to us as their nurses, we could not call ourselves nurses. it is against the law. you must hold a valid NURSING license to refer to yourself as a nurse whether it is a LPN or RN. one thing that i did learn in nursing school that is very true is that "nurses eat their young" older nurses really will put you thru the paces and you have to earn their respect. sad but true.

[gingersmom]

Most people that are not in the medical field have no idea what the difference between an LPN and an RN is. I usually say "I'm a nurse" because I am. I am accountable to my board of nursing for everything that falls under my scope of practice. What I find disturbing is when non-licensed personnel who are not accountable to a state board, say they are nurses. I know that they are mostly just trying to alleviate the patients fears, but this is one of many reasons why responsible employers are starting to request that the actual nurses wear white-to make a distinction. Many other employers are just trying to save a buck by using unlicensed personnel and trying to give the impression that they have adequate nursing staff. There is a place for ALL the different disciplines, but employers should have greater accountability to provide adequate care, and that means having enough licensed personnel.

[Ms.Williams]

I agree 100%

[ellen 12]

I'm a nurse - RN - if people ask I say i am a nurse - I don't see the need to make distinctions - if your occupation is to nurse people.
I don't like elitism - if that is what drives the need to make a distinction.
I don't know what an LpN is

[~~nursing-chic~~]

I asked the same question at one point. I was unsure and felt I was misleading ppl when saying a "nurse". However, I have been working as an LPN since Nov and now I say, "I am a nurse, when asked". If they ask specifics I will tell them LPN. I am proud of it. I work with several RN and am not treated any different than them.

[churlgirl]

I don't know how things work in the states, but as an RPN in Canada I am a nurse. Working in an acute care hospital, I am 100% responsible for the care of 5-6 patients. I start and maintain IV's, I administer PO, PR, IV, S/C and IM medications. I insert and maintain foley catheters, S/C butterflys, and I assess and monitor my patients conditions. I contact physicians if necessary, and receive and carry out orders. I provide physical care and emotional support. I assist physicains with paracentisis, thoracentisis, and any other procedure done with my patients. I am not a nurses assisstant, I am a nurse.

[vicky1964]

I believe the ~N~ in RN~~~LVN~~LPN~~means nursing , where a CNA is assistance DUH!!

[vicky1964]

Originally Posted by Dior Princess

WOW! What ignorant and offensive statements!

You might be a nurse if you firmly believe that "too stupid to live" should be a diagnosis. Now I know where that came from!

[churlgirl]

Originally Posted by vicky1964

I believe the ~N~ in RN~~~LVN~~LPN~~means nursing , where a CNA is assistance DUH!!

Sorry if I insulted you, however, I did state "I don't know how things work in the states". By informing each other, perhaps we can better inform the community and avoid statements such as "What kind of nurse are you" in the future. This certainly won't happen by insulting one another. In Ontario, Canada we have PSW's, (non-nurse), RN's and RPN's. Let's not turn this into an insult match.