Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) play a significant role in the delivery of healthcare in the United States and other countries, but numerous people continue to perpetuate some unfavorable falsehoods regarding LPNs. This is the third article of a four-part essay that aims to expose the biggest myths and misconceptions that plague today's LPN workforce.
NursesAnnouncementsArchiveArticle
Licensed practical nurses (LPNs) have provided basic nursing care in multiple countries for many years. Still, LPNs remain misunderstood in the world of healthcare, and this can be evidenced by the unfounded statements that other nurses and members of the public make on a continual basis.
Numerous individuals have helped to spread inaccurate information about LPNs, and many of these people have never even worked one single day in the nursing profession. A handful of the most persistent myths regarding LPNs were discussed in part one and part two of this four-part essay. A few more negative myths are listed below.
Myth number seven: LPNs are being phased out.
This particular myth has been floating around since 1965, which is the same year that the American Nurses Association (ANA) had published a famous position paper stating that all nursing education in the United States should take place in institutions of higher education (a.k.a. colleges and universities). The paper suggested that all future nursing education be at the baccalaureate level or higher. After the release of the ANA position paper, people in the nursing profession started saying, "The LPNs, associate degree RNs, and diploma RNs are going to be phased out!"
Here's what ended up happening. Three-year diploma programs used to be the most common way to educate and train RNs; however, these types of nursing programs were slowly phased out after the ANA published its position paper. Several thousand diploma programs existed in the US in 1965, but less than 100 still operate in 2012. However, LPN programs and associate degree RN programs rapidly increased in number during the same time period. Nearly 50 years has elapsed since the ANA position paper was released, and LPNs are still very much a part of the workforce.
Myth number eight: All LPNs secretly resent RNs.
Of course, every profession is going to have a few passive-aggressive members who use sabotage and insubordination to indirectly express their secretive resentments. However, not all LPNs secretly resent RNs. In fact, many LPNs respect RNs and would like to become one someday. Jealousy and resentment are not involved.
Myth number nine: All LPNs have certificates or diplomas.
Some LPNs have earned associate of applied science degrees in practical nursing. If you are interested, please click on the links below to read more about this educational pathway.
