LPN Petition to Take RN Boards

I have to say that this, I agree with. I hate to hear how many LPNs feel that RNs are lazy and are 'just sitting on their butts giving orders'. I have seen lazy everything...physicians, RNs, LPNs, CNAs, housekeepers, and more. Many of the LPNs I am friends with that have moved on to the RN level were very overwhelmed, because they literally thought that they would be simply re-learning all that they did before, with a tiny bit more responsiblity and bigger money. They were in the shock of their lives when they really learned that they are not only responsible for themselves, but those that work under them, and this includes LPNs. The difference, in my eye, is that the RN is the delegator/overseer and responsible for the entire outcome of patient care, while the LPN, in most cases, even in expanded roles are responsible and licensed for the task and we have to incorporate the nursing process of ADPIE within those tasks, or we are held liable and responsible. If I am wrong, someone can feel free to correct me (again, this is from my personal experience and observations).

I have seen some LPNs that are true whizzes in their craft. They can see that a patient is crashing, be able to intercede and a great deal of other things. I found, moreso that these are the LPNs that have worked in nursing for many years. I did not graduate in such a time where nursing education on any level was really the greatest. But, from my limited experience working in the clinic and per diem on the floors, I saw a great difference in how the LPNs are RNs function; moreso on the floors.

What I noticed on the med-surg unit I go to under the agency, is that the LPNs are primarily administering medications and doing basic nursing care, however we are not interrupted or as distracted by outside entities in our day the same as the RNs were. The doctors, the ER, other floors, admissions, social workers, the AOD, everyone calling or coming needed the services and intervention of the RNs. They didn't come looking for us (and I am forever thankful). The RN disseminated to me what I needed to know at the time, but, otherwise, she was bombarded moreso than I was (which is why, again, I could not do their job). What I did discover, however, was that the RNs were grateful for me, because when I came to them, it was with a legitimate issue, not a gripe. Because of my training and observation, I basically knew what I can do myself, or when I needed their intervention. An LPN that can critically think within their own scope of practice can be valued and appreciated (or at least, this has been MY experience). Sometimes, the best way to help out is to just hold down your end.

What I do destest is when a person does not consider the LPN as a nurse at all, especially from RNs who have not done the LPN route. We learned a great deal, and those of us that have paid close attention have great retention and know from the training of disease processes and interventions can be great assets to the health care team.