Are LPN's/LVN's real nurses?

Nurses LPN/LVN

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Here is a question I have been pondering. Is someone who has their license as a LPN/LVN considered to be a real nurse? How do most Helthcare professionals view LPN/LVN? When I get my LVN license will I be a nurse?

I know it says nurse in the title... licensed vocational nurse..... but are you considered by your colleagues to be a nurse? Does hospital administration consider the LPN/LVN to be a nurse? When you go out in public and someone asks what you are, do you say your're a nurse? Or do you say your an LPN/LVN?

Just thought I'd get it straight from the horses mouth :)

I'm attending school right now where they have a LVN program and I am so excited about it. Everyone in my class is striving to get into the program next year. But I keep hearing my mother say about someone else..... "Oh shes just a PRACTICAL nurse." As if the job the woman was doing wasn't important. :o

Thanks for any replies. You know how hard it is to get those repeating mother tapes out of your head. :chuckle

Specializes in Rehab.
Here is a question I have been pondering. Is someone who has their license as a LPN/LVN considered to be a real nurse? QUOTE]

I had a patient ask if I planned to become a "real" nurse. I politely informed her that for what I paid in cash for schoolong and time lost with my family I was most definately a "real" nurse. I think we have a way to go to convince people that LPN's are every bit as "Real" as Rn's. I do everything they do except pronounce someone when they pass. :D

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Specializes in Rehab.
And let's hope this doesn't turn into another RN vs. LPN thread like some of them do.

I've worked with some of the best RN's in the business, and, unfortunately, some of the worst. Most RN's are just thrilled that I passed NCLEX, they aren't to concerned if I have 3 letters to my title or 1. The few that encouraged me to continue to RN stated they did so because if I was hired at thier Company it would mean more help for them. All Nurses are stretched to thin.

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i didn't mean for what i said to go for all rn's, but in my experience in being an lvn, yes about half the rn's that i have come across are that way. i didn't mean any harm to the good ones. i know there is a difference between the two, but i dont understand why the pay is so much more for an rn at a job when the job descriptions for lvn and rn are the exact same. that's my biggest complaint. again i didn't mean any harm with that previous comment and no i don't have anomosity against all rn's. i didn't mean for my comment to come across like that. sorry if i offended some of you rn's out there.

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i edited this because i may have come across the wrong way...i was just taken aback by the yelling.....and the anger in your "voice".

and the swearing

hey, sorry about that. i'm used to typing in all caps, i wasn't yelling. just a habit.

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Specializes in Peds stepdown ICU.
i didn't mean for what i said to go for all rn's, but in my experience in being an lvn, yes about half the rn's that i have come across are that way. i didn't mean any harm to the good ones. i know there is a difference between the two, but i dont understand why the pay is so much more for an rn at a job when the job descriptions for lvn and rn are the exact same. that's my biggest complaint. again i didn't mean any harm with that previous comment and no i don't have anomosity against all rn's. i didn't mean for my comment to come across like that. sorry if i offended some of you rn's out there.

difference = more time in college taking generals and nursing courses. yes, i think i should be paid more for that time i spent in college. i was an lpn for several years and went back so i could make some extra money. lpn programs aren't equal in time or degree. lpn's are important, and as a whole nurses should be paid better...no matter what kind of nurse you are!

missy

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Hi all. I'm about to start my 3rd month as an LVN student and I have to say that I already feel like a nurse. So many people have asked me if I am going to continue school after I get my certification because they don't think I should be an LVN, that I should be an RN because LVNs aren't real nurses. I get kind of defensive with them and let them know that LVN programs are not some 1 year breeze through course. My professors have told us from the beginning to not let anyone bring us down just because at the end of the year we'll have LVN, not RN attatched to our name. Maybe I want to work as an LVN for a while. To tell you the truth, I'm not thinking ahead. I'm just trying to make it through this year!! :lol2:

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of course! i have worked with many excellent lpn's

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Specializes in LTC, Agency, HHC.
I've been wondering this lately...our teachers make it seem like we're nothing but CNA's who can pass meds, that we're all going to work in a nursing home and continue to be CNA's who pass meds. It's really frusterating you know...not a think wrong with CNA's, but if we're paying about 2000 dollars more and taking several classes more than CNA's then how is it that we're going to be shadowing them on our clinical, and having them teach us what they do?

I have done volunteer work in a nursing home, as well as my own CNA clinical and I can say with absalute certainty that I DO NOT want to work in a nursing home! Yet our teachers seem to be trying to tell us that that's pretty much where we're headed come graduation. In addition to the fact that many hospitals in MN don't hire LPN's- they want RN's, and not just RN's they want BSN's or MSN's...it's VERY disheartening right now- we have to take the NCLEX and that makes us nurses, but what are we getting for all that money and time?

I work in a nursing home and I do NOT do CNA duties. If I did, I wouldn't get my job done. LPN's are not glorified aides. If the facility you work in thinks this, go work somewhere else. I didn't want to work in a nursing home either,in fact I was dead set against it! You have to keep an open mind... but here I am and I kind of actually like it. I am getting to know my patients and they call me by name.

If you don't like the one you volunteer in, go look at others! All LTC is not the same. "Practical: To perform so as to acquire a skill."

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I've been wondering this lately...our teachers make it seem like we're nothing but CNA's who can pass meds, that we're all going to work in a nursing home and continue to be CNA's who pass meds. It's really frusterating you know...not a think wrong with CNA's, but if we're paying about 2000 dollars more and taking several classes more than CNA's then how is it that we're going to be shadowing them on our clinical, and having them teach us what they do?

I have done volunteer work in a nursing home, as well as my own CNA clinical and I can say with absalute certainty that I DO NOT want to work in a nursing home! Yet our teachers seem to be trying to tell us that that's pretty much where we're headed come graduation. In addition to the fact that many hospitals in MN don't hire LPN's- they want RN's, and not just RN's they want BSN's or MSN's...it's VERY disheartening right now- we have to take the NCLEX and that makes us nurses, but what are we getting for all that money and time?

Like MSN's are going to actually take jobs working on the floors.

Do what I did, get your LPN license and then get out of MN!

If you expect to have any decent career options as an LPN and a chance at getting into an RN program that doesn't take 10 years of waiting lists to get into, get out of MN.

I don't understand why so many MN nurses complain about their career options and dismal job market, yet continue to stay there.

There is a big wide world outside of the land of 10,000 lakes and you don't have to stay there just because your family decided to settle there a hundred years ago. Get out.

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i am a LPN for a year now, working medsurge, and doing everything the RN does except pushes,transfusions and chemo. we barely ever do team nursing ( nice idea but not enoughstaff) and i handle districts ranging from 8-10 patients. basically...we do the SAME job. i will return to school so thati can get paid for doing the SAME job. the passion is the same, hopefully, whether you have "RN" or "LPN" after your name...!!!

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In Time, Lpn's Will Be Treated Like Rn's. A Nurse Is A Nurse. Whether You Are An Lpn Or An Rn. I Do Not Tell People Whether I Am An Rn Or Lpn. I Simply Just Tell Them, "i Am A Nurse". And They Will Just Keep Quiet. People Do Not Have To Know Your Title Or Your Salary. Regarding Hospital Admins. If You Are Working In An Acute Care Setting You Have To Show Your Performance As A Nurse And If A Family Asks You Where The Nurse Is, Just Tell Them " What Can I Do For You" Unless If They Specifically Asks For The Rn. Just Tell Yourself You R A Nurse. Don't Bother With The Title.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
In Time, Lpn's Will Be Treated Like Rn's.

Completely disagree with this.

People Do Not Have To Know Your Title Or Your Salary.

Salary, no, job title, yes they should, always.

If You Are Working In An Acute Care Setting You Have To Show Your Performance As A Nurse And If A Family Asks You Where The Nurse Is, Just Tell Them " What Can I Do For You" Unless If They Specifically Asks For The Rn. Just Tell Yourself You R A Nurse. Don't Bother With The Title.

So why NOT tell the title? Sounds like an avoidance to state the kind of nurse someone really is. Which sounds like there's something to hide. Therefore, i'll bother with the title.

It doesn't matter which nurse i get as a pt., RN or LPN, but i should not have to beat around the bush to drag the title out of them.

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