Do Lpns's really get treated badly?

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

I have been thinking of starting the local community college and becoming a Lpn and then obtaining my Rn degree while I am working as a Lpn, just to have some experience and to make it easier for me in school. The only concern I have is people keep saying that the Rn's treat the Lpn's like they are sooooo beneath them and thay are rarely nice at all. I, also hear that most hospitals are not hiring Lpn's anymore and when they do, the pay is very low. All of this concerns me because I eventually want to be an Rn in pediatrics or labor & delivery. I just wanted some experience first since I will be totaly new to the hospital enviroment. I have done social services for seven years. Can someone please shed some insight for me?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ob; nicu.

Rare to get an l&d job with a lpn license. But, we treat our lpn's with the upmost respect. The lpn program is more skills driven while the rn program is more pathophys. Our lpn's are priceless. I am a firm believer that no matter how much schooling you have it doesn't make you a smarter person. experience is a priceless commodity.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for your insight. I know I would not have a chance at getting in l&d as a lpn. That is just my longterm go once I obtain me Rn license. I figured I would work as a Lpn just to start getting the experience on the hospital floor. I just worry about all of the horror stories I hear about how lpn'sare treated and under paid.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

There are some that mistreat us, others that don't. But, you cannot take it personally, because really, you will see nurses mistreat each other...no matter if they have their Master's Degree in nursing. I have not had many openly mistreat me, at least not yet. I just get bugged with the infamous "Why aren't you going to become an RN, or "When are you starting/or going to become an RN" questions (the answer is no, I am not going to become one). Otherwise, I do believe that most of it depends on how you carry yourself as a nurse. There will be some that will mistreat you, and others that won't because this is who they are...they will discover reasons to wear your nerves no matter what you do.

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

It sounds like a good plan to me, especially because its what I am doing, lol. I know some very sharp LPNs and some not so sharp ones, same with RNs, BSNs and MSNs. Like the others have said some people just treat others poorly and they should just be avoided and ignored when possible. Imo being an LPN offers great pay and benefits for 1 year of schooling. Good luck with whatever you decide. Jules

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you all for your advice. It was very helpful.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.

I'll echo what the others have said. I have 2 part-time jobs right now as an LPN and I'm in school for my RN. Job A treats all LPN's the same: a pulse holding a license. Job B: LPN's and RN's are treated the same. We are all a part of the team and the goal is the pt.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Thanks for your insight. I know I would not have a chance at getting in l&d as a lpn. That is just my longterm go once I obtain me Rn license. I figured I would work as a Lpn just to start getting the experience on the hospital floor. I just worry about all of the horror stories I hear about how lpn'sare treated and under paid.

I know exactly what you are talking about I have heard about how LVN's can be treated badly but I am sure it's not that bad, don't let other people determine your self worth stick to your plan and you will make it and become an RN. I am also going to become an LVN first to gain experience work for awhile as an LVN then go back and become an RN where I want to work in Labor & Deliver which is my ultimate goal. I am currently #85 on my Community College's LVN wait list and will hopefully start this Fall but if not they told me for sure Fall 2009. I just have to wait for space to become avaliable I am so excited and I cannot wait to start!!! I wish you the best, keep us posted ok!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

To the original poster: Are respect, fair treatment, and prestige important aspects of a future career for you? If so, nursing might not be the right career pathway for you. Be aware that all levels of nursing (CNA, LPN, and RN) receive their share of bad treatment and disrespect from coworkers and society. Even if you are an RN who attains a Ph.d in nursing, there will be misguided folks who ask the silly question, "Why didn't you just become a physician?"

No matter which level of nursing you pursue, the game of one-upmanship never ends. There's always a bigger, "better," and more respectable level of nursing just around the corner, and other people are going to always wonder why you stopped at a certain level of education. In other words, don't pay attention to the opinions of others.

I did not enter the nursing profession with the desire to seek respect or good treatment from others. If an individual is so focused on prestige, they may wish to study medicine and become a doctor.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER,MED_SURG,REHAB,HOME HEALTH, OR,.

i agree with the "cowtown" city moderator no matter witch you are there is always somebody higher and lower i was cna before i got my lpn and also going for my rn just rember dont forget where you come from ,,,,

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics/ homecare.

I am a RPN(Canada) (= to LPN)and that's probably what bug's me most also"Why don't you become an RN" I get this most from family and friends and it can be a lot of pressure at times, but to people on the outside who have not worked our position it's difficult to see how important our role is. We too carry a lot of responsibility, and the fact of the matter is I don't what to be an RN and that's difficult for them to see, but really it boils down to where your comfortable, and what makes you happy because nursing at any level, can at many times be a very thankless job. Be it from the nurses above you, below you, the patients and the DOCTORS. It can be stressful and really weigh on your emotions if your not strong enough. So if it's not where you want to be and at the end of the day it's not the job you want disrespect from others will just be that little extra push off the cliff. But disrespect from co-workers comes in any job not just nursing so don"t let that be the deciding factor. You should want to be a nurse and as in any job you don"t have to stay at that facility if it is really that bad life is too short!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I am a RPN(Canada) (= to LPN)and that's probably what bug's me most also"Why don't you become an RN" I get this most from family and friends and it can be a lot of pressure at times, but to people on the outside who have not worked our position it's difficult to see how important our role is. We too carry a lot of responsibility, and the fact of the matter is I don't what to be an RN and that's difficult for them to see, but really it boils down to where your comfortable, and what makes you happy because nursing at any level, can at many times be a very thankless job. Be it from the nurses above you, below you, the patients and the DOCTORS. It can be stressful and really weigh on your emotions if your not strong enough. So if it's not where you want to be and at the end of the day it's not the job you want disrespect from others will just be that little extra push off the cliff. But disrespect from co-workers comes in any job not just nursing so don"t let that be the deciding factor. You should want to be a nurse and as in any job you don"t have to stay at that facility if it is really that bad life is too short!!

:yeah:

I see it all the time. Really, what we are watching is a peer group in action. It can compare to anywhere in life. If a person was a drug dealer, you will see that they have a hieracrchy...the pusher in the street, the gang leader and the ones who are really behind the scenes not getting their hands dirty (who the pusher usually aspires to be). The same applies to nursing. Not every CNA or LPN aspires for the coveted RN license. When getting the RN, then, I noticed the next thing-the Diploma versus Associate Degree verses BSN nurses...you will hear them all waring over who produces the best outcomes. Then, it is time for specialty nurses-ICU, Critical Care, ER... then obtain certifications in your specialty...you name it.

If you plan to become an RN because you have reached the end of your road and wish to increase your knowledge, responsibility and opportunities, that is a great thing and it would be necessary. A frustrated nurse will not render the best of care, and not be happy in life. But, if you are doing it because others expect it from you, and you have no time, money, interest, or whatever, it will be adding more pressure for a goal that you really didn't want. Having that additional responsibility, in that case, would be determental.

I know an RN that got hired at my job recently as a head nurse. She is currently enrolled in a BSN program, and she told me that she was hired as a head nurse under the contingency that she complete her BSN in two years. This woman told me that she is not interested in being a head nurse, she would rather be a staff nurse. She hates writing people up, being overly concerned about the running of the clinic she works for, and wishes to drop out of school for a few semesters. I see how worn down and frustrated she is. I asked her once if this is what she really wanted, and she said 'no', but she did it because this seemed to be what people are 'supposed to do'. Now, I often wonder how effective she really is, since she is not interested in all of this.

We owe it to ourselves, our families and patients to do what is best for ourselves.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment