LPN'S are NURSES TOO

Nurses LPN/LVN

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We, LPN'S need to speak up more and grab the attention of administrators,Legislators, (State and Federal) Governors ,the public and anybody else who views the RN as the only true nurse. Just the same way the RN gained their respect in the 80's and 90's . The LPN is a well trained ,valuable member of the health care community. Patient and resident oriented health care provider. We observe s/s ,status change, improved or declining. organize and follow thru with presented problems . To insure the best outcome for that individual. Incorporating the the health care TEAM. I say LPN'S ARE VALUABLE NURSES !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As a CNA I can honestly say that the best nurses I've worked with are LVN's (I'm in California)...I remember when I was working in the long term care unit where a patient was choking on a chicken nuggest. As we were passing out the dinner trays a CNA was calling for help and when I looked up I could see him holding a tray in one hand and a patient in the other. I immediately ran to help him....Then the LVN's called stat, and here come the RN's....Those RN's had NO IDEA what to do...Being just a CNA I told them, shouldn't somebody be doing the heimlich maneuver (CNA weren't allowed to do HM or CP in that facility)....so what do the RN's do? They let him gently down to the ground while they try to pump each side of him abdomen with the index and middle finger....I was like WTH is that....then one of the LVN's came over and did the heimlich while he was lying flat on his back. Thank GOD for that LVN or else what type of citation would the facility have received. Don't get me wrong, I work with some great RN's now who actually help put patients on the bedpan, and answer call lights....The nurses (LVN/RN) really treat the aides like we're worth something at the facility that I'm working at.

I think it's horrible how people treat LVN's like their 2nd class citizens or something. They go to school a semester shorter than an RN does here in one of the local community colleges...They have the same prerequisites that RN's do except that the LVN course is narrower in scope.

I too am a proud nurse. Right now I have no desire to get my RN. I am proud to be a LPN and a valuable member of the healthcare team. We are all NURSES regardless of the initials after our names.

Wendy

LPN

DITTO TO THAT!!! :p

Specializes in Home Health, Hospice.

I think a contributing factor in the confusion about LPN's is the huge differences in the LPN scope in different states.

Some states do not allow LPN's to even pass narcotics, nor can they do Iv's, hang blood etc.

Here in Florida, we can do IV's, and even hang blood if there is an RN on the property. Just a few examples.

So, I think that with some states limitations on scope of practice, makes some of the RN's and others believe that we are not as "valuable"?

Just a thought.

Perhaps there should be more available trainings and certifications for the PN.

Specializes in geriactric and psych.

That is exactly the thought that I would like to further that the LPN should have additional training and certification. Directed only to the further education of the LPN. Such things occured with the RN here in upstate new York in there specialty They became RNC as they were certified in the specialty that they were working.

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
That is exactly the thought that I would like to further that the LPN should have additional training and certification. Directed only to the further education of the LPN. Such things occured with the RN here in upstate new York in there specialty They became RNC as they were certified in the specialty that they were working.

That is not a bad idea, maybe the LPN organizations need to take note of this, or maybe there is something available that we aren't aware of. The only thing I think an LPN can be certified in as a specialty is Long Term Care Certification. I hear rumors of wound care, but haven't received confirmation on that one, yet.

Specializes in Home Health Care.

I'm very proud to be a brand new "LPN!". If it weren't for my state not allowing LPN's to work in occupational or community health, I'd stay an LPN!

Specializes in Derm/Wound Care/OP Surgery/LTC.

I think there is a tremendous ripple effect. NP's acting as though they are far above an RN, RN's chastising LPN's, LPN's looking down on Medical Assistants, MA's feeling superior to CNA's.

And it makes me wonder...aren't we all part of the same team? I mean, we all want what is best for the patient. Isn't that the ultimate goal?

I love being an LPN. I love having more hands on time with my patients. If I wanted to push paper and do charts, I would have stayed a paralegal. But, I don't feel I am any better than a seasoned Medical Assistant and frankly, I also feel I know a lot more than many RN's I have worked with.

Experience is key. Nothing more.

LPN's can get all sorts of additional certifications, from inserting and starting IV's to LTC.

Specializes in ER, med surg.

I have been a RN for almost 10 years and would not be where I am today or know the things I know today if it was not for the LPNs that I work with. I have the upmost respect for them and believe they should SHOUT very loud that they too are nurses. There are several LPNs or Nursing Assistants that I would rather have my back than some of the RNs I work with.

Specializes in ER, med surg.

our CNO has really pissed off our LPNs by basically saying they want an all RN staff, says it is best for the patient. I am an RN I diffently don't think it is best for the patient. I am an RN that has no problem doing any job from butt wiping to digging out inpactions, I work as hard as I expect my staff to work. My question is how as a supervisor can I get my LPN staff morale back up and make them feel they are an important part of my team. They know I don't feel that way but they are still very negative all the time.

Health care in the US and the nursing shortage/excess is cyclical. Jules is right - the way to get respect for a profession is to lobby for it and make the public aware. I'll be honest here, I was an LPN for two years while I got my RN. I worked in LTC and the RN's had no respect for me. It was at that point that I decided that I would always try to remember that we are a team of healthcare providers and we all contribute to the ultimate goal of helping people.

I thank God for all the excellent LPN's that I have had the pleasure of working with over the years. When I was a new nurse on a telemetry floor and didn't know a PVC from a PAC, they took me under their wing and taught me what I needed to know. There have been many times I would have taken one GOOD LPN over the 2 RNs that were scheduled with me. I never have understood why some of my RN coworkers treat them the way they do. :confused: Too many times, it is forgotten that we are supposed to be a team.

Specializes in Corrections,psych,skilled,LTC,MRDD AL.
Health care in the US and the nursing shortage/excess is cyclical. Jules is right - the way to get respect for a profession is to lobby for it and make the public aware. I'll be honest here, I was an LPN for two years while I got my RN. I worked in LTC and the RN's had no respect for me. It was at that point that I decided that I would always try to remember that we are a team of healthcare providers and we all contribute to the ultimate goal of helping people.

THAT JUST SHOWS ALL OF US ( LPN's) WHAT RN's think of us

WHAT EACH AND EVERYONE OF US LPN's MUST ALWAYS KEEP IN MIND IS WE ARE JUST AS GOOD AS ANY RN, THERE's REASONS WHY WE DID NOT GO ON TO RN, (MONEY, FAMILY ISSUES AND SO ON) BUT WE ARE ALSO NURSES AND 99% OF THE TIME WE DO THE HANDS ON THAT RN' s CAN'T OR WON'T DO . WONDER WHY THAT IS .

TO ALL RN'S THAT WERE LPN'S I TAKE MY HAT OFF TO YOU. CONGRATS!!!!! BUT REMEMBER WHERE YOU CAME FROM AND TREAT LPN's WITH THE UP MOST RESPECT!!!!!!!!!!

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