LPN Bashing

[kwalker5]

I think the bashing stems from the fact that nursing is so fragmented. What other profession do you know where it's fragmented into 3 distinct categories, yet generalized by the public? When I ask people their profession, they say "I'm a nurse". Yet when probed deeper, you find out that they are an LPN or a CNA. In my own opinion, and if I were king, I would do away with the LPN curriculum, and require all future nurses to be RN, BSNs. Why?? Because when you raise the standards of a profession, you can command more money, and command more respect from the public as they know you went through lengthy formal education as opposed to a one year community college course.

Nurses whine and complain about their salary, lack of support, heavy assignments, etc. But they brought it all on themselves by having incompetent lobbyists and unqualified personnel in Washington, the ANA, and the NLN. Such regulatory boards are primarily run by women. The AMA is run by men. Look at the difference in pay and respect. Wake up, people! Raise the standards of your profession and let the public know we're not just professional butt wipers and glorified baby sitters!

Talk to your local state representative today! Demand new blood in the ANA and NLN! Make a difference in your profession! Go back to school and get your BSN or higher! RAISE THE STANDARDS!

[jacolaur]

1. I have never felt a victim in my profession, never, and over the years the only time I feel the need to respond to "LPN bashing" is when I reach sheer exasperation and shock at reading simple minded comments like doing away with LPN's, or that we LPN's lower the standard of nursing care, please, that goes both ways. Feeling defensive is more of an accurate description but never ever the victim. I am entirely too proud to be a victim.

2. As to winning people over, I do not have to, my work ethic and work record speaks for itself.

3. Regarding sweeping generalization of RN's, again please, the first posting to do away with LPN's was the sweeping generalization. That sweeping generalization creates this whole situation and it will never go away until the ones that say it realize LPN's are as capable and unfortunately as incapable as many RN's. My initial post was defensive and pointing out bad nursing care goes both ways. I have worked alongside the most gifted of RN's and the scariest of them.

4. I like the smilies and will continue to use them freely.

:zzzzz

[Brownms46]

Originally posted by mattsmom81

"Too many chiefs and not enough indians".

I fear nursing could easily fall into this kind of trap should the current infatuation with academia continue. In fact many of our hospital facilities suffer from this...I feel the inflated salaries of all our multi level 'manager's are one of the reasons we are chronically short staffed. they vote themselves raises, give us a 'cost of living raise' and we're supposed to be grateful.

Respect for ALL levels of health care is paramount, IMHO, and a good team is worth it's weight in gold to me: a team that includes LPN's, RN's and CNA/PCA's. :)

It seems that no matter who much this is said..it just doesn't get through. But glad you took the time to say again..

[Brownms46]

Originally posted by jacolaur

1. I have never felt a victim in my profession, never, and over the years the only time I feel the need to respond to "LPN bashing" is when I reach sheer exasperation and shock at reading simple minded comments like doing away with LPN's, or that we LPN's lower the standard of nursing care, please, that goes both ways. Feeling defensive is more of an accurate description but never ever the victim. I am entirely too proud to be a victim.

2. As to winning people over, I do not have to, my work ethic and work record speaks for itself.

3. Regarding sweeping generalization of RN's, again please, the first posting to do away with LPN's was the sweeping generalization. That sweeping generalization creates this whole situation and it will never go away until the ones that say it realize LPN's are as capable and unfortunately as incapable as many RN's. My initial post was defensive and pointing out bad nursing care goes both ways. I have worked alongside the most gifted of RN's and the scariest of them.

4. I like the smilies and will continue to use them freely.

:zzzzz

You rock on.. See I use them too...except when they say I have too many :chuckle

[hapeewendy]

jacolaur - whatever gave you the impression i was directing my post to you ?

I wasnt specifically directing my comments to anyone

just sharing a general opinion

and I have nothing wrong with smilies myself and use them all the time , the whole eye rolling thing was meant to be a small bit of humour

which obviously got missed

[jacolaur]

Wendy, Sorry, I'm new in here so maybe I jumped the gun a bit or..maybe just a little sensitive, however, I still stand behind my words and your eloquent general opinion is well taken. I truely believe you are one of those incredible RN's that would be a G-D send to work with. (I am so glad you like the smilies)

Peace, Love, and Happiness to us all caring Nurses.

[hapeewendy]

no worries!

thanks for your kind words

I'm sure youre an awesome team player and

bring a lot of joy to you patients.

I think that differing perspectives and opinions are always important.

I find that some people are better at the art of disagreeing than others but thats life. You seem to be doing just fine in that respect.

welcome to the boards and keep on posting!

:)

[jacolaur]

Hey Brownms46! Thank you for your kind words and support. I just found this site last month and finally got my fingers to do the talking... I must say this is a terrific site to bring nurses from all over the world together. Pretty awesome! If they do ever "do away" with us we could head over to Argentina... whew... the nursing situation over there sounds like it could use a few good LPN's, and a lot more RN's, to help out it's crisis!! What a beautiful place to live! However, I am not complaining Florida is pretty nice too! Hmmmm LPN's taking over, naaa I really like all of the RN's I have ever worked with over the years, only a very few exceptions. They have been most willing to educate me, listen to me, and help me in difficult situations as well...it certainly makes the shift much more pleasant when we've all worked together and pulled our fair share. In all the years, their have been very few I was miserable working under. Thanks again for you kind encouraging words..it has brought me out of my shell....my husband would say WHAT SHELL!!!