LPNs: Myths and Misconceptions (Part II) - Page 3

so true.

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!

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.

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

There are all kind of people out there; sweet, kind, gentle, thoughtful, stupid, and so on. I was sending one resident to a hospital, and while I was busy with the papers work with one of paramedics, I over heard one of the care aides was clarifying to one young paramedic what 'LPN' is. This is what he said, 'oh, she is kinda nurse but not quite a nurse'. First, I was mad but then pity him. When I walked passed by that young paramedic, I said to him, 'LPN is Low Pay Nurse'. That got some laugh from the group.

LOL so true. Though in my area I earn more than some RN's do in other parts of the country. Of course expenses are much higher but on paper it looks good.

There really are a lot of misconceptions about LPNs. When I was an aide in a large (magnet) hospital I genuinely had NO idea what LPNs were. We had a handful who had been grandfathered in years ago. They functioned as nurse techs. Their badges said LPN but they wore the maroon scrubs like us aides rather than the navy blue of the RNs. I (and most of the other aides) didn't know their role, and I never grouped our LPNs in the "nurse" category. I wasn't being disrespectful, I was just ignorant. I think there's a huge segment of acute care nurses who truly are clueless about what a licensed practical nurse is.

I would like to help with some misconceptions a lot of RNs have... Many RNs are unaware of what the LPN is able to do and believe that EVERYTHING the LPN does is liable under the RN's own licensure. Some of the more ignorant RNs would think when I have a failed IV attempt, then it is the RN who must claim responsibility for my failure, and that is just not correct since I have full authority to perform IV therapy . I work in an Emergency Department as a Primary Nurse and my license covers me for everything but the discharge of the patient and the initial assessment. The Hospital places further restrictions not covered by my state BoN that state I am not allowed to push cardiac medications (despite my mandatory ACLS certification). The Emergency Department I work at has a fair amount of LPNs working in it and most of our RNs understand our practice and role within the ED, however it is quite misunderstood by people who do not work LPNs frequently. I have a license and a scope of practice that holds me, myself, and I responsible for what I do!

Just out of interest, why are you posting in the LPN area?