Advocating for the RPN/LPN

[AngelicDarkness]

I was cruising along on AN when I came across a few postings on how the RPN/LPN should be phased out. Part of the reason I'm not "jumping right in" to my RN is I want to advocate for RPN/LPNs. I fear the public doesn't understand our roles clearly, and unfortunately not all of our peers know our full scope of practice. Has anyone joined a local organization to advocate for RPN/LPNs? Do you find a change in joining?

I have joined Ontario's RPNAO (Registered Practical Nursing Association of Ontario), and I find they do a great job in hard times. The articles they post are often criticized for supporting RPN/LPNs. A recent article the media REFUSED to publish in support of RPN/LPNs being hired on a local dialysis unit. The facility had been an RN only facility when it was opened and the editorials were filled with biased research on how the RPN/LPN was not efficient or capable of working in the facility. (If I can find the article again, I'll edit to link it in)

Thoughts?

[future_hero]

I was cruising along on AN when I came across a few postings on how the RPN/LPN should be phased out. Part of the reason I'm not "jumping right in" to my RN is I want to advocate for RPN/LPNs. I fear the public doesn't understand our roles clearly, and unfortunately not all of our peers know our full scope of practice. Has anyone joined a local organization to advocate for RPN/LPNs? Do you find a change in joining?

I have joined Ontario's RPNAO (Registered Practical Nursing Association of Ontario), and I find they do a great job in hard times. The articles they post are often criticized for supporting RPN/LPNs. A recent article the media REFUSED to publish in support of RPN/LPNs being hired on a local dialysis unit. The facility had been an RN only facility when it was opened and the editorials were filled with biased research on how the RPN/LPN was not efficient or capable of working in the facility. (If I can find the article again, I'll edit to link it in)

Thoughts?

Hi There AngelicDarkeness,

I am a nursing student entering the RPN program in January 2012. I am so excited to get started to pursue a career in nursing. Whether it be through the RPN or RN route, despite the vague differences in practice, I truly believe that the most important charactoristic and goal both level of nurses have in common is to achieve health for all in whichever setting they decide to practice.

I know that I am just scratching the surface of this profession (literally just a baby) so unfortunatly I can not comment on anything specifically. I do hear alot that the RPN's are underappreciated and they do frequently get scrutinized. Yet I hear they do practice to full scope which is quite similar to the scope of RN's.

I really hope that RN's and RPN's learn to appreciate one another and advocate for one another. That way, the nursing workforce can be a powerhouse and conquer greater challenges. It would be the perfect time considering the current economy and the current condition of our health-care system. I would be very interested in reading the link if you happen to find it.

Thank you,

future_hero.

[Fiona59]

Just to point out that in AB, LPNs have been working as Dialysis Techs for at least the last decade. Take exactly the same post grad course as RNs. They do it in the same classroom and write the same exam.

You might want to ask the mods to move this to the Canadian Forum for a better response.

What you have to remember is that the RNs outnumber us. Their unions and professional bodies have much more money to spend on decrying us than our bodies have.