[jalease]

I am an LPN who has my ACLS and PAL cetifications. Are you saying that I am not competent in my additional training to respond to emergency situations just because my title is LPN?
I have worked in the hospital setting, and Mandatory overtime is required during times of need (high patient admissions/volume). But no more that 15 hours can be worked without a sufficient break (additional lunch time)

[jalease]

I am an LPN who has my ACLS and PAL cetifications. Are you saying that I am not competent in my additional training to respond to emergency situations just because my title is LPN?
I have worked in the hospital setting, and Mandatory overtime is required during times of need (high patient admissions/volume). But no more that 15 hours can be worked without a sufficient break (additional lunch time

[Ms.Williams]

please clarity yourself. You say it is wrong toidentify yourself as a nurse if you are an LPN. Exactly what do you think an LPn is and do you really know what their duties entail? If you do not please contact your nearest Board of Nursing, actually any one in any of the 50 states and you will see there is not much that an LPN does not do. Hopefully by the time you graduate you will learn what Real Nursing is. It is not just a title and if that is the only reason you have gone into this beloved field please leave it now as you will find yourself burned out quickly. These are the lives of human beings that you take into your hands as a "nurse" LPN or "RN". What else would you call an nurse assistant , they assist the nurses so what would you suggest they be called or do you downplay that field also? Please learn quickly how much more difficult your job will be without a good "nursing assistant" at your side. You have so much to learn. I welcome your response. By the way I have been an LPN (NURSE) for 14 years and have a wealth of experience . I would welcome the opportunity to "work next to you"

[lvnandmomx3]

Most of the time I say I am nurse if it is general conversation. If they say something that implies that I may be an I RN I do clarify that I am an LVN. When I have to make phone calls for work I do say " Hi this is Tracy I'm the LVN for @@@@". Just so the clafification is there incase they need to document who called. I do not need anything submitted to our regional centers that at some point could come back to haunt me as trying to imply that I am an RN (as of yet).

[DONERRN]

Yes, I say I'm a nurse. Not a 'registered nurse', not a 'practical nurse', not a 'vocational nurse', not a 'BSN' nurse, not a 'MSN' nurse. There's a lot of truth to the old adage, 'experience is the best teacher', and that doesn't come with letters to add after your name. I do understand the problem that nurse practicioners and physician assistants have, and how they must get very tired of explaining their job title. I don't correct patients when they ask to see 'the doctor' that just examined them even if they don't hold a doctorate title. People were becoming doctors way before they all went to a credentialed medical school. Let the patients decide what we are.
As a rather tall male, I often get called 'doc', especially when there is a female physician/PA/NP on the floor; I quickly correct the error and go on my way, with a 'Nope, I'm the nurse, she's the doc' and leave it at that. Never had a problem there. Now, if only we could get the MD/PA/NP's to EXPLAIN TO THE PATIENT WHY THEY ORDER WHAT THEY DO AND WHAT MEDICATIONS THEY ARE GOING TO GIVE, I'd be a happy man. I do get a lot of satisfaction telling them to go back and explain to the patient what they are doing, and not in medicalese. (Ahhhhhh, now getting off my soapbox).

[Sahara311]

Originally Posted by DGood

Thanks for the igreat idea of looking at LPN books, I'm sure the concepts are explained much better and without all the fluff.

...Are you trying to say they're dumbed down?

I am an Licensed Practical Nurse,I usually just refer to myself as nurse, but will clarify when prompted further. I have been a Hospital nurse up until recently. I work side by side with RN's. I understand the difference in roles, but there was only a handful of skills that the unit RN's could perform that I could not.

No, I don't remember ANYONE in my LPN class ever saying, "I'm in LPN school." And when I get into the LPN-RN bridge... I'm not gonna say, "Oh, I'm in Registered Nursing School!" I will probably say, however, "I'm in the LPN-RN bridge program" or simply, "nursing school"

However, while doing clinicals, a moment stands out in my mind, even today. Our class was in the lounge of unit we were on, when a Staff nurse came in. She revelled us with her memories of Nursing school, and was giving us all little helpful tips, when suddenly she got a confused look on her face. She leaned in to look at my badge that read : "SPN" and she rolled her eyes and started to walk away saying, "Oh well, you're only LPN students." she never spoke to us after that.

On the flip side, today I was taken aback by a new CNA working on my subacute unit. He was going on about how he is in PCT school. Someone asked what that entailed, and he replied, "Oh I'll pretty much be an LPN" I just walked away.

[Fiona59]

[quote=diosadelsol;2756721]

Originally Posted by wilbur's mom

Hi!


And as for the "not too tired from the previous shift of mandated overtime" aspect, I haven't worked in a hospital, or nursing home for that matter, that had MANDATED overtime. I am called and asked if I want to work extra, but by no means is my nurse manager at my door dragging me, kicking and screaming, to the unit to work some mandated overtime.

Mandatory OT happens when there is no nurse to replace you at the end of your shift. Unless you have childcare issues that cannot be solved you are expected to stay and work.

It's becoming the norm in hospitals and care facilities in my area.

[nommymurse]

I say I am a nurse, unless I am with other medical professionals and here is an example why. The day I passed my boards I told my cousin I was officially an LPN and she said congrats, what is that, is that better than an RN?

[mawabrown]

When I was going to school to achieve my RN, I thought nursing school was extremely grueling. Now that I am an instructor for an LPN program, I am amazed how the students are able to absorb and implement so much information in such a short period of time (10 months). The content is much the same, our students are required to do care plans for every patient, and follow the same strict rules/regulations as RN's.

My colleagues and I often use an NCLEX-PN book when creating tests. My colleagues and I have a wide range of backgrounds; many worked as an LPN for years before obtaining their RN, others have their Associates, Bachelors, Masters and two have their Doctorate's. I will honestly say, there are times we cannot answer some of the questions from the book.

I am proud to be an instructor at an LPN school. And even prouder of the students.

[nursesherry]

I was once a CNA and now an LPN. I was taught in CNA class that the word "nursing" in Certified Nursing Assistant implies you are assisting the Nurse whether they be RN or LPN.