LPN...not good enough??

Nurses LPN/LVN

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So, I have been an LPN for the last 5 years and I love what I do. But one of my patients that I've had last week was an RN. Now I do not have anything against RN's at all, but she asked me if I was a nurse, and of course I say yes I am, and the next question was LPN or RN and I answer LPN and she said why are you wasting your time..... I thought that I must have misunderstood what she said and asked her to repeat it again, and the same question came out of her mouth. I never thought an LPN was not good enough, I feel confident in what I do and I feel that the title nurse applies to me too but she had me questioning is this what everyone thinks? The whole time I was doing her lab work, EKG, and instructions, she made sure I knew she was a nurse and she knew more than me and wanted the PA to come and go over some additional questions she had about the instructions I gave her, because apparently I sure could not know what I was talking about... WHY???? I have felt so down about this whole situation, I am proud of what I've accomplished even if it's not what others may want, but honestly she ruined my week....

Specializes in Emergency Nursing.
I didn't intend to make this a long post. I hope you all read it though. I neefed to get it off my chest I agree. However in some facilities, RNs have to hang IV bags (mostly abx) start the medication for an LPNs.......[/quote']

I read all the post and cut it off in my reply so ppl know who I am talking to. I'm sorry SleepyRN. I think I might be somewhat guilty of that kind of mentality regarding a lot of RNs. If anything, ur post has helped shed some clarity on the responsibilities of an RN in ways I never thought. Thankfully, my state and facility allow me to do all that IV / IVP / IVPB stuff so I rarely have need of an RN to help me. However, I think u gave a perfect example of RN responsibility in an environment mixed with LPNs who have a much more restricted scope of practice. I can see the frustration.

Anyway, my point - I enjoyed ur post !

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

Great posts. :yes:

Being an LPN is good enough...being an RN is good enough...

I've been both...they are still licensed nurse who have to perform the nursing process, investigate, critically think and advocate...AND empower.

Being a licensed NURSE is GOOD, better, best...not enough; just GOOD.

Sorry for the sappiness...really.

I am a supervisor in a nursing home; most workers know that I was a CNA, LPN, and have been an RN for about almost 18 months (can't even believe it! :cheeky: ). I was having a conversation with the care nurses (CNA) about how being in healthcare was the ONLY profession I have been successful in-good, bad (getting let go from a job....laid off..."not a GOOD fit :cheeky: but GOOD enough to return :cheeky: and indifferent enough to be trusted and respected; I find that whatever power I have as a nurse is GOOD WITHIN REASON-I have no choice-that reason extends beyond ENOUGH, and it always has; whether LPN or RN-it comes down to the nurse on how they approach their practice. :)

We, as nurses are GOOD...no ifs ands or buts. :yes:

I read all the post and cut it off in my reply so ppl know who I am talking to. I'm sorry SleepyRN. I think I might be somewhat guilty of that kind of mentality regarding a lot of RNs. If anything, ur post has helped shed some clarity on the responsibilities of an RN in ways I never thought. Thankfully, my state and facility allow me to do all that IV / IVP / IVPB stuff so I rarely have need of an RN to help me. However, I think u gave a perfect example of RN responsibility in an environment mixed with LPNs who have a much more restricted scope of practice. I can see the frustration.

Anyway, my point - I enjoyed ur post !

Thank you for reading and commenting on my post. As far as the frustration, Im ok with the extra work because that is why I get paid what I do. It's my job, even though hiccups in the process can happen, and yeah be frustrating at times, but I suck it up because its my job. I just want people to understand why I feel RNs have a little more responsibility in LTC (obviously not in all states.) I want it known that I in no way intended to insult my colleague. It was really just a thought in my head, surprise because it was the first time I ever had to do anything that these much more experienced nurses (LPNs) than I were not legally able to do and it WAS added responsibility. That one little comment to him led to viscous rumors about me, making it extremely difficult to get my job done. Because as I stated, I was new and still had to go to these people who despised me for help sometimes. I wish I had handled the fall out differently. But, in the midst of a panic attack....I could not imagine working with those people one more day. If I had an anxiolytic, I could have taken it, went to work and put in my 2 weeks notice. Oh well. I finally got a new job now, and I'm moving on and growing thicker skin.

Great posts. :yes:

Being an LPN is good enough...being an RN is good enough...

I've been both...they are still licensed nurse who have to perform the nursing process, investigate, critically think and advocate...AND empower.

Being a licensed NURSE is GOOD, better, best...not enough; just GOOD.

Sorry for the sappiness...really.

I am a supervisor in a nursing home; most workers know that I was a CNA, LPN, and have been an RN for about almost 18 months (can't even believe it! :cheeky: ). I was having a conversation with the care nurses (CNA) about how being in healthcare was the ONLY profession I have been successful in-good, bad (getting let go from a job....laid off..."not a GOOD fit :cheeky: but GOOD enough to return :cheeky: and indifferent enough to be trusted and respected; I find that whatever power I have as a nurse is GOOD WITHIN REASON-I have no choice-that reason extends beyond ENOUGH, and it always has; whether LPN or RN-it comes down to the nurse on how they approach their practice. :)

We, as nurses are GOOD...no ifs ands or buts. :yes:

......Amen......

Good evening ,

We all have to start somewhere . I am debating on doing the LPN or the RN program . The LPN will get me into a hospital , I believe . Then off to an RN degree if God allows . Stay blessed as you are but never stop climbing for the sky . I want to work in a children's hospital . I am trying to figure out how to make college affordable or free .

I respect that you do what you need to do and you do it well .

I know this poster meant well but, I disagree. If an LPN likes his/her job and doesnt want to become an RN, that is their prerogative. Remain educated in the most up to date practices/literature, definitely. But it is condescending to LPNs to say that it should only be a stepping stone.

Oh, and if GrnTea is reading, excuse me. I meant his/her prerogative. Lol. I'm just pickin on ya because of a recent post.

I've had a similar experience when I was ill and at an urgent care clinic. It somehow came up that I was a nursing student (at the time) and the doc asked me LPN or RN. When he heard LPN, he shook his head and told me I should have done RN. I told him that eventually I am looking to get my RN, but at the time when school became an option to me, LPN was the fastest and most attainable for me to pursue my dream career.

I'm not sure why people think that LPN's are less than RN's...Aren't we supposed to work together for the better health of the patient?

I think the key to take away from this experience is that you know you're a good nurse and you love what you're doing. She's the one that was carrying the negative attitude around.

I have found so many doctors have no clue in the differences and similarities among LPNS, ADN RNs or BSN RNs. They haven't spent hours looking into it like we have when deciding which career path suits our life best at that time. I actually had the OPPOSITE experience, believe it or not. I had the opportunity to watch my OB Gyn (and long time family friend) perform a circumcision while I was at clinical one day. I was in the nursery in the hospital when she walked in. I told her "yeah, I'm here for clinicals. When she asked RN or LPN, I said RN. She said "why not do LPN? The nurses in my office are LPNs. This actually kind of proves my first point. I go to her office, my mom used to work there, plus my mom is friends with some if the nurses. And guess what? They are RNs! I just answered by saying because I want as many possibilities for employment as I can. Sheesh. I was shaking my head. I respect CNAs and LPNs who want to stay where they are, but if I want more education why on earth would a physician, and a surgeon at that, discourage someone from obtaining even an associates degree? Weird.

Specializes in LTC, CPR instructor, First aid instructor..

When I went to school here in PA, I was taught that LPNs are only restricted from hanging blood, and can hang IVs

When I went to school here in PA I was taught that LPNs are only restricted from hanging blood, and can hang IVs[/quote']

There REALLY needs to be standardization of these things. It shows the curriculum in schools is somewhat scattered. It wasn't til the last semester that we learned about hanging blood. Therefore the LPNs here would not have learned it while in school. We learned it in our critical care class which was the last semester. I think there was too much fluff crap in our first semester that the time could have been utilized better learning more things

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
When I went to school here in PA I was taught that LPNs are only restricted from hanging blood, and can hang IVs[/quote']

Yes; I was IV PICC certified as an LPN in PA.

They just broadened the scope of LPNs, RNs and NPs in PA; it is one the BON website.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
There REALLY needs to be standardization of these things. It shows the curriculum in schools is somewhat scattered. It wasn't til the last semester that we learned about hanging blood. Therefore the LPNs here would not have learned it while in school. We learned it in our critical care class which was the last semester. I think there was too much fluff crap in our first semester that the time could have been utilized better learning more things

Sleepy it's standardized by the State BON and also facility specific; I worked where I could draw labs off a PICC line, no IV push; There were RNs who couldn't draw labs off a PICC; some places have IV push machines, hence LPNs could hang IV push meds; schooling gives you enough of the essential framework of skills and knowledge you need; it is up to the facility to spell out the tasky skills that is permitted.

Specializes in Med/surg,orthopedics,emergency room,.

Please,please don't let one sour puss spoil and degrade how you feel about yourself as a NURSE. You went to school, and sat boards just like she did, and you SHOULD be proud of what you have accomplished. I know many an RN that I HAVE worked circles around as well as some good ones. Don't let anyone demean who you are!!!

I don't understand why some people say "LPN is a great place to start". Why is the implication made that LPN is fine but there is something wrong with staying an LPN? I am a PN. I am proud of myslef and what I do. I have desire whatsoever to be an RN.There is no reason to feel that as an LPN you and any less of a nurse.

THANK YOU! I feel this exact same way. I will be graduating in less than 8 weeks from my LPN program and do not have any desire to be an RN. I don't know why everyone assumes that I am just "starting". I plan on building a fulfilling career as an LPN. I will be very proud of my accomplishment when I graduate and call myself a nurse!

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