What would you think of dropping "Licensed" from our title.

realnursealso/LPN, LPN · Jun 13, 2012

I call my fellow nurses, LPN's. I hate the phraze, PN's, reminds me of another word that starts with P and ends with N. No thank you.

xoemmylouox, ASN, RN · Jun 13, 2012

We are licensed. Registered is another way of expressing that status. We don't call RN's just nurses. We deserve that distinction too. You aren't an LPN until you pass your boards. I always say LPN.

KimberlyRN89, BSN, RN · Jun 13, 2012

I refer to myself as a nurse, just to save the hassle of explaining to someone the difference between an LPN and RN.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Jun 13, 2012

Having just PN doesn't indicate that we are indeed licensed.

caliotter3 · Jun 13, 2012

Take away the word "Licensed" and they will have even more reason not to consider LPN/LVNs as nurses. Even nursing assistants have the word "Certified" to give a distinction to those who have gone througn the testing process to be recognized by their respective state governing bodies. I think the words "vocational" and "practical" should be the words to be removed, then we could all be "nurses", either "registered" or "licensed". Easier all the way around.

Fiona59 · Jun 13, 2012

This issue was actually raised a few years back at our provincial conference. Excepted we wanted to be called "LN"s for licensed nurse.

The College shot it down and rambled on about it being a national not provincial decision. We rather liked it.

BrandonLPN, LPN · Jun 13, 2012

I was about to say why not make the two roles more distinct by changing "registered nurse" to "licensed professional nurse" but that would make things even more confusing, LOL.

CaliBoy760 · Jun 14, 2012

Even better!

minnymi · Jun 15, 2012

it doesn't really matter because the fact is this:

most educated people know the difference between CNA, LPN, and RN...and they would equally know the difference between NA, PN, and "nurse" i suppose would be the phrase is RNs dropped their title.

people who aren't educated don't know the difference between CNA, LPN, or RN. when i worked as a CNA, i had many, many patients who thought i was their NURSE. it didn't matter that i introduced myself as the assistant, wrote the RNs name on the board, and wore a name tag. i took care of them....so i was their nurse in their mind. the RN was "the lady who came by with the meds."

there is no myth that LPNs aren't "real nurses" just as there is no myth that nurse practitioners aren't as knowledgeable as doctors. sure, there are people who prefer RNs over LPNs because they prefer someone more educated overseeing their care...just as we all prefer a MD overseeing our care. the title isn't going to change the facts. people are either educated on the facts or they aren't.

jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B · Jun 15, 2012

Ah, but the "Licensed" title in the name LPN/LVN refers to the fact we are licensed, and held accountable to same. PN or VN in my area refers to a student practical nurse, who is not yet licensed....how about we change the name to Registered Practical Nurse????? (and in the words of the great Gitano......"wait for it.....":coollook:)

allnurses Guide · Jun 15, 2012

I'd say the connection between having the word "licensed" in the title and people's perceptions that LVNs aren't real nurses is pretty weak. You wouldn't call an RN a "licensed registered nurse" because the word "registered" means a student has passed the requisite exams and is then qualified to "register". That's why a graduate nurse is called a GN until he or she passes the NCLEX.

It would make more sense to call LVNs and LPNs "registered practical nurses" if you were going to change anything.