Not a nurse? Then, why does LPN stand for Licensed Practical Nurse?

[tjmiller]

Ugh... Sorry if anyone else is putting up with this.

[joanna73, BSN, RN]

That's very unfortunate, since we are all supposed to be there for the patients. There are lazy workers in every profession. RN does not mean we're above any task. She was probably a lazy NA with that attitude.

[kguill975, MSN, APRN, NP]

Wow, I have never heard of a LPN/LVN being referred to as not being a nurse. I do know that for years after becoming a nurse, every time I would introduce myself to my patient and family, they would always ask if I was a LVN or RN. I always felt slighted because I thought I was only being asked because I'm black. Sadly, it was always the black families that would ask. Sorry you've been made to feel that your training is inadequate. I learned from some of the best LVNs when I was in nursing school to become a RN.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

Wow I have never heard of a LPN/LVN being referred to as not being a nurse. I do know that for years after becoming a nurse, every time I would introduce myself to my patient and family, they would always ask if I was a LVN or RN. I always felt slighted because I thought I was only being asked because I'm black. Sadly, it was always the black families that would ask. Sorry you've been made to feel that your training is inadequate. I learned from some of the best LVNs when I was in nursing school to become a RN.[/quote']

Yeah...I got that too when I was a LPN...and I still get it as a RN...was referred to as "lazy"....sometimes the worst "cultural references" come from our own cultures...but I knew that this client's mom was projecting-hard day at "work" I guess...and when I was presented the "LPN" question, more often it was a source of pride, especially if the clients were from the South...they were in an era where they were only access to obtain a LPN, but knew how to give birth, etc, and sometimes was the only healthcare provider.

As for the recent "just" or in my "lazy" incident it was after clarifying my stance on my role as a nurse, and what was best at the time, and as long as I was going to have her son, my priority is nursing...mind you I am a senior nurse at my job...Management just chuckles when we get these "just" ... and everything in between. We really don't let it bother us. We know the perception...it's also the hierarchical nature that most counties were built on...it may take a THOUSAND more years to undo or at least evolve into understanding the importance that we truly have more if a collaborative system despite hierarchal "titles" and roles...there is still a collective responsibility that makes healthcare a well-oiled machine.

[SaoirseRN]

We are all "Ns", as I like to say. Different Ns with different scopes of practice, but I'm an N and you're an N and that's the truth no matter what others might say.

We have a supervisor who constantly says "Nurses and LPNs" and I always correct her (pleasantly of course) "You mean RNs and LPNs..?"

[eatmysoxRN, ASN, RN]

Although the practice in different facilities are different, LPNs play an essential role on my floor. Although we are able to function without one, they make the night much better. I'd never refer to an LPN as a lesser nurse.

~ No One Can Make You Feel Inferior Without Your Consent -Eleanor Roosevelt ~

[LisaLPN7]

Stupid people tick me off. And anyone who says we LPNs aren't "real" nurses is plain, old-fashioned stupid.

I grew up admiring my aunt as one of the smartest, most intelligent, most beautiful women I knew. She was an LPN back in the early 70s before she lost her vision to histoplasmosis. She lived with us for a while after her divorce, and I loved watching her get ready for work....pristine, starched white uniform dress, thick white support hose, and spotless white leather shoes. With her cap tucked into her little clear carrier, she floated out the door "to help people and make them get better". I thought she was a goddess. I adored her, knowing full well that her mere presence healed every patient in every room in which she walked.

She was the nursiest nurse who ever nursed!

She was also the main reason I entered LPN school at 19.

I may not wear the pristine white uniform dress, the support hose, and those butt-ugly old-timey nursing shoes, and I haven't seen my cap in forever, but I am an LPN. I am a nurse.

[andreasmom02]

The best nurses I have ever worked with in nursing school clinicals, and on the floor after I got my LPN license, were LPNs! LPNs have been there done that, aren't afraid to get their hands dirty, and have done lots of things that many RNs won't! My cousin was an LPN for about 10 years. She then got her RN, then became a nurse practitioner. She got so much experience from being an LPN & RN, it made her a great nurse practitioner. Being an LPN is a great honor, and stepping stone to even bigger careers if you want to further your education! :) I'm very proud to be a LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE...

[nursel56]

I posted back to you BostonFNP.(don't know what happened to it)..yes, venting. Is there any way I could reply to the ones who say this? I know I should just really let it go. But 2 times in one week, 3 times in a month...getting old, old, old.

I think the answer to that would depend on who is saying it, the circumstances under which they said it (ie at work within earshot of other people or by an acquaintance on your lunch break), and what type of facility you work for. If it were me, I wouldn't just take it. You have a right to work in a non-hostile environment. If all we're expected to do when bullied is "let it roll off" there wouldn't be legal procedures intended to remedy verbal abuse.

[proud nurse, BSN, RN]

I was an LPN for 11 years before I became an RN. I never felt the need to defend my decision to be an LPN, I loved it. LPN was the best choice for me for a very long time for many reasons, and when the time was right I went back to school.

But you know, it's always something. LPN vs RN; ADN vs. BSN; BSN vs. MSN..etc. We're all nurses and we do what is right for us. I just remember why I went into nursing in the first place. It definitely wasn't so I could play this alphabet soup game of letters and titles with ignorant people.

[JZ_RN]

N stands for nurse in LPN and RN. Don't let someone treat you poorly. You know the truth!

[NurseK426]

I worked as a CNA while in school for my BSN. While I've never been an LPN, I've worked with several in both LTC and acute care. I also get the question (although my badge says RN in large letters) if I'm an RN or LPN. One day my patient asked me that and then chuckled, stating "that means real nurse, right?". I was so infuriated. I put on my sweetest smile and said "Actually it stands for registered nurse. And your nurse today, the LPN? She has 20 years of experience on me, I think if anyone is a "real nurse" it's her."

Like another posted, people will always have something to say about CNA vs LPN vs RN and ADN vs BSN...you just have to roll with it. As long as you are working in an environment where your coworkers are supportive and not making these sorts of comments, and you're confident in your own skills, keep your chin up!

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

Aww, I'm sorry. I was an LPN for 4 yrs before graduating with my ADN. Of course I thought that was going to be the end of being put down. Oh no..now I'm *only* an ADN.

I should have been born a BSN. Then I could have been top dog from the birth.

Hold your head up high and be proud of who and what you are. Part of me will always be a LPN.