LPN bashing...

Mito · Oct 24, 2002

Hello All,

In Ontario nursing (RN program) graduates are precepted by other RN's. Is it possible that an experienced LPN could help out a graduate nurse or new RN?, sure its possible. But being an RN is not like being the manager of a fast food chain store, it's not a carreer, title, job whatever you want to call it that you can be promoted into, you must prove your abilities and skills in a RN program to do otherwise doesn't make any sense.

Mito

psychonurse · Oct 24, 2002

I have also worked up the ranks myself, I was first an NA then LPN and then an RN. I was at all three positions but I got tired of what I COULDN"T do as an LPN is why I went back to school and I have never regretted it for anything in my life. The experience that I have been able to obtain is totally the best and I would have not ever been able to do what I am doing as an LPN. But like everyone else that have posted here, I would much rather have a good LPN working with me or taking care of me as a bad RN. I have also been a patient before and I have had great care from the LPN's that have taken care of me. If you don't want to progress that is for you. I thought about progressing to NP at one time but with only 7 years to go to retire at the job that I have I think I will just stay where I am. :nurse:

RNOCEAN · Oct 24, 2002

I started my nursing career as a nursing assistant, then became an LPN and then an RN. The only thing I can advise is to desensitize yourself to being called 'only an LPN'. In your heart, you know that you are a great nurse and the initials after your name do not necessarily indicate the degree of your caring or your greatness. I became an RN to make more $$, am I a better nurse, no, do I care more, no, but I do make more money. Be proud of what you do, not your initials!

Youda · Oct 24, 2002

Flo1216 said >>>

Guilty as charged! I sure did this until I started working on my RN. I'd say, "I do everything they do and get half the pay," OR "just the other day I had to show THE RN how to do . . ." OR "the only difference between me and the RN is I can't do an IV-push. BIG DEAL!" OR "I can run circles around the RNs!"

Whew! Let me find a rock to crawl under. Or let me extract my foot from my mouth. Someone said at allnurses (which I could remember who said it), YOU CAN'T KNOW WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW!

The more I learn, the dumber I realize I am.

ShortFuse_LPN, LPN · Oct 24, 2002

Thank you all for your posts and support.

ktwlpn, LPN · Oct 25, 2002

This board contains an LPN corner-a place where we can discuss the things that directly impact upon us...perhaps this thread should be moved there? Also-to those who say " I have not seen alot of LPN bashing,etc,etc" That kind of statement is what usually makes this topic become a heated debate-just because you have not seen a thing does not mean it does not exisit....Denying and downplaying that this type of prejudice does not exist is insulting to those of us who may have experienced it during the course of our careers....And-as an LPN with extensive experience in acute and long term care settings,home care and hospice I am well aware of the differences between my education and that of an RN of every level...I am well aware of the differences between our scopes of practice in my state and I have never said that "I do what they do for half the money" And I have only known a very small number of LPN's with that attitude...I have known just as many RN's with similar attitudes regarding themselves and MD's...

ShortFuse_LPN, LPN · Oct 25, 2002

ktwlpn, I posted this on the general discussion board because I feel it affects all nurses in a way and wanted some feedback. Thanks for the post, I agree that it is a type of discrimination, not only from RNs but from "civilians" (LOL) as well.

MICU RN · Oct 25, 2002

While I don't think LPN's should be in critical care areas (ICU's) I do feel they do well in many areas (floor, clinics). You really don't need to be a RN to work in clinics or doctor's offices. And I don't get into the LPN bashing based on comparing education levels because I know many RN's with just associates degrees who think they know as much as the physicians, that is a joke. I work in a academic teaching hospital and see first hand the amount of training a MD receives while in training and it is much more than a RN.

jude11142 · Oct 25, 2002

Originally posted by Fgr8Out
Where I'm from... RNs precept new Rns... anything else doesn't quite make sense....

As for the original poster's comments... as others have mentioned... we are not our career choices... those who ask you such silly, improper questions regarding your career decisions require little, if any, credence. It's how YOU perceive your career and perform your work that matters... Dpn't give those folks a second thought. :)

I wasn't going to get in on this post but felt that it is quite possible that some RNs are trained or should I say oriented by LPN's. I am a LPN enrolled with Excelsior to continue my nursing degree and I work full-time in a LTCF and part-time with pool. At the facility, they recently hired several RN's and I as well as other lpns have had them assigned with us during orientation. Basically though, it's really so that they get to know the residents, the routine etc.........So maybe that is what others have meant when they say that they were trained by lpns??? As a student(once again,lol), I realize that I am adding more knowledge and learning more. Ofcourse there is no way that we can just skip school and go on and take the RN NCLEX and become and RN nor should one think thats all there is to becoming an RN..........As an LPN, I have never felt that I wasn't an important part of a team and I have never had any RN treat me as less of a nurse. We work together and each of us build on one anothers strengths as well as weaknesses. I know that there have been times when I have taught a new RN something but that in no way lessens her/his qualifications as an RN. I have also learned so much from the RNs that I have worked with. We are all nurses and should all act as professionals and work together.

JUDE

Flo1216 · Oct 25, 2002

KTWLPN.....Ummm HELLO! I am not downplaying anything. Just because I have not witnessed a lot of LPN bashing in my workplace means I am in denial? Are you calling me a liar? How dare you call me prejudiced because you are insecure about your job title. I do not have a problem with LPNS, I don't know many people who do. What I do witness a lot of are people like you complaining about RNS. If you are comfortable with being an LPN, then why do you even debate this? If you are not comfortable with this, then further your education and stop *****ing about the RNS.

Teshiee · Oct 25, 2002

I just recently did CE cours in roles of LVN/RN I was shocked to realize that if a LVN had 4 patients and I had 4 I am legally responsible for all 8!!!!! So in knowing that I understand why they consider LVN's not true nurses. I don't agree because LVN'S licensed and should have accoutability of their care. One of the things mentioned in the LPN/LVN practice act is they will work under the supervision of a RN. I was a LVN for 4 years and I couldn't stand the fact I couldn't work in many areas I was limited to what I could do and I can not stand anyone going behind my work because the difference of an initial. Many of my classmates who started out as LVN'S I would say 80% are RN's for similiar reasons. LVN/RN have licenses and different roles. I notice there are LVN'S that are very knowledgeable ,organized and on the ball unfortunately until that LVN becomes RN it doesn't matter. They can't get beyond the title.

ndolphins13 · Oct 25, 2002

I am a new grad LPN and before that I was a nursing assistant... I will begin working on my RN in January and I cannot wait! I do not feel "bashed"--I enjoy my work and when people ask why I didn't go straight through for my RN I explain I want to experience every aspect of nursing because from the time I was 3 years old I have wanted to be a nurse. I also do not find anything wrong with a LPN who wants to stay a LPN... I feel nursing needs this!:) :) The hospital I work @ does alot of block nursing on our unit and when the RN and LPN work TOGETHER the whole day goes great!!! Although you still have the nurses (because whether you are a LPN or RN you still are a nurse--both have NURSE in the title and on your license) that don't want to work together the day is disasterous (sorry about the spelling!) So whether you are a LPN or RN you should feel proud of what you do everyday and learn @ least one new thing a day.... LPNs or RNs-----you can NEVER learn EVERYTHING there is to learn about nursing---there is too much "gray area" involved and no matter how little or much schooling you've had you can still learn.