[softstorms]

One of the very first classes I took in Nursing school taught me that the first nurses where not trained, they had no skills and just worked under the Dr's orders. The Doctors needed someone to help and found a way to get that help. Nurses!...It has now became a profession and career choice for many of us. But, if any of us get to full of ourselfs to forget our humble starts......it was always about helping sick people get well. No matter how far up the chain we go.. the botton line is...
It is all about the patients. What ever you put behind your name for a title, there is someone else working beside or below you...helping all the way.

[Lilac]

I say I'm an LPN. It's my chosen career. I'm not ashamed of it. I consider myself a nurse, period, but there is a distinction between LPN and RN and that is always everyone's second question, anyway. The third is always "Well, when are you going to become an RN?" I save them the extra effort, tell them I'm an LPN, I love my chosen vocation, and while I will continue my education, I have no desire at this time to pursue RN certfication.

[pagandeva2000]

Originally Posted by softstorms

One of the very first classes I took in Nursing school taught me that the first nurses where not trained, they had no skills and just worked under the Dr's orders. The Doctors needed someone to help and found a way to get that help. Nurses!...It has now became a profession and career choice for many of us. But, if any of us get to full of ourselfs to forget our humble starts......it was always about helping sick people get well. No matter how far up the chain we go.. the botton line is...
It is all about the patients. What ever you put behind your name for a title, there is someone else working beside or below you...helping all the way.

That concept is essentially why I choose to become a practical rather than a registered nurse. I do know that RNs have more schooling and get paid considerably more; however, in my eye, it does not take all of that for me to be a nurse (and I say me...not someone else). I certainly believe that all levels of nurses deserve their place and respect (if they are caring), but I was really interested in being a PRACTICAL nurse, because practical is really who I am. It was before modern technology, before Joint Commission, Magnet, and whatever poltergeist pests interfere with us daily. I am proud of what I do...period.

[KaroSnowQueen]

I have been an LPN for twenty-four years. When I am asked what I do, I say, "I'm a nurse."
I know in some states LPNs are severely curtailed in what they can do. In the two states I am licensed in and work in, there is very little that I cannot do. I cannot hang blood without an RN, however the RN needs another nurse with her, whether Rn or Lpn. I can do IV push drugs. I have worked on just about every unit in the hospital and been charge in an LTC.
I have seen very intelligent RNs and LPNs and I have seen both RNs and LPNs that I wondered how they managed to finish school. I have given help to RNs who thought they were so much more educated than me until they got on the floor in the real world and realized that their broad "book-learnin'" didn't prepare them for everything. I have led codes, I have called MDs and went round and round with them advocating for my patient.
If anyone tells me I am not a nurse, I can only conclude they are very ignorant.

[ksrose1]

I call myself a nurse, I work in a hospital along with RN's and I know I have an important role in the hospital, but there are times when the LVN's are excluded from nursing surveys it is very frustrating. I have returned to school to continue my education, I only hope that I make it through without losing my mind. I AM A NURSE!!!!

[MentalRn]

I just say "nurse". I have worked as a CNA, LPN and Rn and we all do nursing, taking care of the sick.

[TheCommuter]

This thread has reached 15 pages, basically discussing whether we refer to ourselves as 'nurses' when asked about our occupations.

We've reached a very sad state of affairs when any person questions the validity of the LPN/LVN as a nurse in U.S. healthcare. We have an important place in healthcare, and we are licensed nurses.

Please leave us alone, and let us provide healthcare without the ridicule. Thanks!

[ellen 12]

Originally Posted by MentalRn

I just say "nurse". I have worked as a CNA, LPN and Rn and we all do nursing, taking care of the sick.

I just say nurse as well - to attach the title RN seems to be seeking status.
Status seekers rub me up the wrong way.


cute smileys

[Super Nurf]

Saying you are a nurse if you are an LPN is definitely not misleading. I say I am an LPN with pride, I've worked hard at it for many years, if I wanted to be an RN, I would certainly be an RN, but being an LPN does not make me less of a "Nurse", it's apples and oranges really.

[NycCutie]

A nurse is a nurse sweetie no matter how you look at it, U CANNOT put nursing assistant and LPN on the same level an LPN have to go through a very hard and frustrating program then has to get licensed just like an RN both are nurses just different levels of nursing and any RN in her right mind would let you know that>If you had to get a license from the state board of NURSING you are a NURSE don't every forget that just like how there is a physician assistant or a doctor just higher levels of education and I think you should respect that sweetie!