LPN's aren't real nurses

[laurennnxo26]

This topic seriously irks me to no end. I myself am an LPN. I went to school for 18 months,went to every clinical, took the NCLEX, passed the NCLEX all for other people to assume LPN's aren't 'real nurses'. I worked my butt off to be able to call myself an LPN. I just don't seem it's fair to put down LPN's because of their title.

my best friend and I were having a conversation today about my new job and how it's a great opportunity for when I move on to get my RN. He said something among the lines of "it's a great experience for when you become a nurse!" I said "I'm a nurse now..." "oh when you get your RN I mean"

I suppose maybe I'm being sensitive of the topic or people just truly don't know what LPN stands for?

[lhflanurseNP, APRN]

Not only did I appreciate everything I learned from LPNs while a student nurse (many moons ago)...I learned even more as a "new nurse". LPNs are definitely nurses in my book!

[ComeTogether, LPN]

I am a nurse, and if you insinuate that I am not I WILL correct you. I wen't through HELL to become a nurse and I'm PROUD to be an LPN. Someday, perhaps I'll continue my education, but I'll probably always work in the role I am in because I love it.

I have a different level of education directed at a specific population of patients with expected outcomes, not worse....just different. :)

[lindseylpn]

I can't say that I've ever had any disrespect in the workplace as an LPN but, I've experienced it outside of work. When my dad was in the hospital recovering from a heart attack my mother and I were taking turns sitting with him. My Dad casually mentioned to his nurse that I was an LPN and his nurse said "jokingly" LPNs only go to school to try and land a doctor, not to actually practice nursing... I was floored.

[NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

I disagree. Anyone listening could have called her out on it.

So this is what you would have done as a guest attending a seminar...embarrass the speaker by "calling her out"? This would not have been an appropriate time to engage in an RN versus LPN dispute.

The last thing an LPN should do is to react in such a manner as to be labeled even further as a non-professional.

Maybe it would have ultimately change the speakers words when addressing certain individuals, but it is not that easy to change what people believe.

[smartassmommy]

I see this at the hospital where I work. Those in charge always refer to nurses and LPNs.

[sillynurse63]

you are not being sensitive at all, my husband used to say the same thing! people are ignorant when it comes to titles, and in fact we worked just as hard or even harder because we had to learn all that information in just 1 year and there is only a few things that we cannot do that RN's do! so it really makes me mad when they say i'm not a nurse or I'm just an LPN....

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

So this is what you would have done as a guest attending a seminar...embarrass the speaker by "calling her out"? This would not have been an appropriate time to engage in an RN versus LPN dispute.

I think most of us would be capable of bringing this to her attention in a sensitive manner. No dispute necessary. And the fact that I am an RN would eliminate any sense of being overly invested, too sensitive, or unprofessionally emotional.

[Scottishtape]

I actually never had this issue when I lived in MO. It wasn't until I moved to FL, that the whole, LPN not being a "real" nurse came into my reality.

I worked case management and actually had a field nurse say, "I'm not giving report to her, she's only an LPN, and I'm an RN!!". Things continued like that the longer I worked down here as an LPN. The only area I didn't come across that kind of situation was in LTC. Mostly because it was staffed with a majority of LPNs, I assume. I won't even lie, it's one of the main reasons I got the motivation to go back to school. I can't stand the blatant disrespect.

I expected to not have that experience while in a bridge program, but surprisingly enough, I still constantly hear it in school. We are told that when we become "real" nurses, we'll do this or that.

I don't understand the sense of superiority some people have, and sometimes, I don't think people even realize how hurtful and disrespectful it is.

[WKShadowNP, DNP, APRN]

I learned so much from LPNs and many I'd prefer to have as mine over some other RNs. All the LPNs I've ever known were astute and brilliant clinicians. I felt bad that I had to oversee some of their care as it was required by the BON. (IV pushes, review care plans.) Only one ever gave me a problem and it was because of a chip on her shoulder, projecting her insecurities.

I honor all before us and those to come. You are valued and just as much a nurse as I.

In a similar vein, there is a chasm (or there has been) between diploma, associates, and bachelor's prepared RNs.

I say value the person on their ability, not their pedigree.

[BabyFood26]

I learned so much from LPNs and many I'd prefer to have as mine over some other RNs. All the LPNs I've ever known were astute and brilliant clinicians. I felt bad that I had to oversee some of their care as it was required by the BON. (IV pushes, review care plans.) Only one ever gave me a problem and it was because of a chip on her shoulder, projecting her insecurities.

I honor all before us and those to come. You are valued and just as much a nurse as I.

In a similar vein, there is a chasm (or there has been) between diploma, associates, and bachelor's prepared RNs.

I say value the person on their ability, not their pedigree.

So well said, thanks shadow!

[NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

I think most of us would be capable of bringing this to her attention in a sensitive manner. No dispute necessary. And the fact that I am an RN would eliminate any sense of being overly invested, too sensitive, or unprofessionally emotional.

I agree...but...that's not what you said. You initially said "call her out on it". A lot of people, at the moment of being offended, don't not respond rationally; they respond reactively if they do respond at all. This is why I state on a lot of my posts to pick your battles wisely. Not all of them are worth it.

This 'nurses and lpns' mentality has been around for years. Obviously, the powers-that-be in nursing don't feel a need to address this poor concept because the phrase is still being tossed around by nurse managers, educators, etc., i.e. the people that can make a move to change this don't seem to think it's important enough to address.

LPNs and/or their RN advocates would need to take their concerns about this to upper management if this disrespect is to have a chance at ceasing. Singling an individual out at chance/random opportunity isn't going to change anything. There is safety in numbers.

[downsouthlaff, LPN]

I'm an LPN and guess what, I am a Nurse. Evidence?

1. My job title is Charge Nurse at a nursing home.

2. When my patients and there families ask to talk to the Nurse in charge and on duty , that's me.

3. The State board of nursing legally permits me to call myself a nurse without any asterisk.

and finally not to be rude or offensive but something that people learn in first grade ! How to read ! LPN. The N stands for Nurse. If they can't read and comprehend that it's time to go back to first grade. RN is not the only letters a nurse can carry! There's RN, LPN, FNP, GNP, CRNA, PNP, RN-C. What do we all have in common ! We are all legally permitted to call ourselves nurses. If the public refuses to accept that, that's there problem ! Tell them to call state board and ask them if LPNs are nurses !