LPNs: Myths and Misconceptions (Part II)

[TheCommuter]

Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) have impacted healthcare in an integral manner in various countries for many years. In fact, the role of the LPN has existed for several generations. However, LPNs are still largely misunderstood in the sphere of nursing, and this is evidenced by the inaccurate statements that other nurses and members of the public make on a regular basis.

Numerous individuals have contributed to the uncontrolled spread of inaccurate information about LPNs. The most pitiful fact is that some of these rumor-spreaders have never even worked one day in the nursing profession. A handful of the most persistent myths regarding LPNs were discussed in part one of this four-part essay. A few more pesky myths are listed below.

Myth #4: LPNs cannot supervise RNs.

I have personally worked in settings where the unit manager, assistant director of nursing, or staffing director is an LPN. Guess what? This practice is perfectly legal. LPNs are legally allowed to supervise registered nurses (RNs) in an administrative capacity. However, LPNs are not permitted to supervise RNs in a clinical capacity.

Myth #5 LPNs cannot engage in critical thinking.

All nurses are capable of critical thinking and sound judgment, and this includes LPNs and RNs. Some LPNs cannot critically think, and some can. Some RNs cannot critically think, and some can. Therefore, you cannot simply stereotype an entire group of nurses and say "There's a difference in their thinking," without having met all nurses within that rank.

Almost anyone in society can be taught to critically think. Critical thinking applies not only to nursing, but to EVERY SINGLE ASPECT of life. Everyone must utilize critical thinking if he or she wants to make it through life. When I was a factory worker, I had to use critical thinking and proper judgment in order to stay alive because I worked atop a high-speed three-story paper machine that reached temperatures of 450 degrees. Parents must employ critical thinking, parental skills, and good judgment when raising children.

Myth #6: LPNs cannot work in hospitals.

Hospital employment is highly dependent on location. I live in the second most populous state in the union, and LPNs/LVNs are used heavily in the small-town hospitals and rural critical access hospitals around here. Hospital employment is on the decline for LPNs in major cities during this sluggish economic situation, because facilities are taking advantage of the surplus of newly graduated BSN-educated RNs who are so desperate for employment that they'll work for virtually any wage in many metropolitan areas. For example, my current workplace was paying $23 hourly to a brand-new RN with a BSN degree last year. However, the LPN with 24 years of experience was earning $25 per hour.

The goal of this four-part essay is to debunk and/or challenge common misconceptions about LPNs. Please correct the next person who makes ignorant statements about LPNs. We can all assume some responsibility for erasing the myths, falsehoods, and insults about the LPN's role in nursing.

[nursel56]

I've always found the "LPNs can't assess, they merely collect data" line pretty amusing, because things like heart and breath sounds require that you assess and identify them. The only way another nurse could verify something like that would be to listen him or herself - which defeats the purpose of delegation as an efficient strategy for the division of labor and time-saving.

My LVN instructors had all been diploma nurses. Some had their BSN as well, but my favorite instructor had just the diploma. She actually seemed apologetic about it when she introduced herself. That's why I have a special place in my heart for diploma schools and graduates.

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

Well if we can only collect the data and not assess then we aren't responsible for interpreting it therefore if somethings wrong oh well LOL as if..

[realnursealso/LPN, LPN]

Commuter, I guess you know how I feel about all the insane comments made on AllNurses, about LPN's and how we perform on the job. I pretty much let people know when they disrespect my education and experience in nursing. So what I've decided to do is save your post from today, and the next dolt that posts nonsence about LPN's, I will quote you until all the stupidity ceases. I would never insult anyone's career choice, but it seems to be a common occurence from alot of uninformed supposedly educated posters on AllNurses. You see I am perfectly happy with what I have accomplished in my 32 years in nursing, and I don't feel the need to bash someone else to pump myself up. So all who posts untruths from now on, about my career, be forwarned. I will post this over and over until you learn to be respectful. Thank you Commuter.

[mama_d, BSN, RN]

I've been a LPN for 12 years now, all of them in acute care (the last eight woring tele in a large community hospital). I'm one of the go-to people when the crap hits the fan, despite my lack of education. (I didn't let them keep my brain in that jar I guess.)

One of my good friends has worked with me for years now as a tech and is in school for her BSN. It's become a running joke over the last couple of years...she'll say "Guess what I found out you can't do at school today?" Basically, per her instructors and review guides, we're nothing more than glorified techs. Lucky for me, many of the nurses I work with started out with their LPNs and have worked their way up, so our unit has been open and accepting and judges based on individual merit, not degree. And the few newbies we've had who haven't had that attitude got straightened out fairly quickly.

[DogWmn]

Keep 'em coming, these are wonderful articles and I hope all the people who don't know what we are capable of read these.

At nearly 62 I'M NOT GOING BACK FOR MY RN...thanks but no thanks.

I've been proud to be an LPN since 1972.

[Been there,done that, ASN, RN]

I have been an RN for 30 years. Most of those years were in a charge nurse position ... on a dynamic , demanding , difficult step down unit.

My father was a patient on that unit.. I asked for an LPN to take care of him.

She was "simply the best".

Nursing is all about experience and common sense,, not the letters after the name.

[adventure780, BSN, MSN, RN, APN]

I have worked with plenty of LPNs. They are great! I can say the lpns have taught me more than any RN has so far.

[adventure780, BSN, MSN, RN, APN]

Nurse is a nurse doesn't matter the degree some places if you compare what the RN does and LPN does, there isn't much difference. For example both can supervise others, both can teach others, most all both can be caring or bad nurses. It depends how to view your job and the people you are helping. The degree isn't everything, it's what you do with your education that matters.

[minnymi]

The only way another nurse could verify something like that would be to listen him or herself - which defeats the purpose of delegation as an efficient strategy for the division of labor and time-saving.

.

so true.

[AJPV]

The massive push for requiring more and more schooling is in large part a gigantic fraud. We're constantly fed "studies" that "prove" that BSN grads are supposedly "safer" than ADN grads. However, these "studies" are conducted by the very people who stand to gain hundreds of millions of tuition dollars if their "BSN only" agenda takes over. The methodology of these "studies" is highly suspect even on first glance (eg, lumping together BSN new grads with BSN bridge program grads who have years of nursing experience and even MSN grads and comparing that pool to ADN new grads). The extra courses that ADN students are supposedly missing do not focus on clinical skills or medical knowledge; they are "fluff" courses focused on social theories, management, etc. I think the same manipulation often takes place by those who blanketly state that RNs are better/safer/more knowledgable than LPNs. I am 100% in favor of higher education and continued training, but only when the training is relevant to CLINICAL NURSING!

[adventure780, BSN, MSN, RN, APN]

i agree with you, I felt my first year as a nurse I learned more than I did in the four year program( which due to an exit exam and lack of decent support from some professors took me over five years to complete). I do not think all that time was a waste but wished they had more opportunities for us to actually do more hands on rather than sit in classrooms and at computers most of the time. I got to watch more than actual do during clinicals. My first year of my nursing career was my externship than I never got a chance to do during my time in school. I think with over a year of experience under my belt, I now still feel like a new grad at times but I am more confident now then when I first got my nursing license in March of 2011.

[adventure780, BSN, MSN, RN, APN]

I am glad I did my BSN as my ulimate goal is to become a NP.