I'm just curious as to how many other LPNs get annoyed by this question; actually, for me, it's mostly when I get asked that online (I'm a single gal and am registered with dating sites and once in awhile I go into chat rooms). So here are my two HUGE pet peeves associated with it:
1)"What hospital do you work at?" OK. First of all, you're a stranger to me. Am I really going to tell you my place of work, esp. if it is in a place with a vulnerable population? Secondly, NOT ALL NURSES WORK IN HOSPITALS!!!
I typically respond to this question "Well, I'm an LPN and hospitals in my area don't hire us." I sit at the keyboard, knowing what's coming next. I feel my BP and pulse begin to spike, and my brow begin to crease evermore deeply as I await the inevitable: "What's an LPN?"
D'OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!! It's like when you're out driving and sometimes you see a car and you just KNOW the driver is about to cut you off or do something else that's rude and/or stupid.
The two problems I have with the "What's an LPN" question: 1)Since 99% of the time it's asked by somebody with whom I'm chatting online, I want to respond with "Google it, Einstein." I mean really; you're on the Internet, sitting on your A$$ wasting time just like me. Nobody wants to get to know Lazy Guy. 2)Really? You have no idea what an LPN is? What cave have you been living in? I do realize that this statement is probably unfair as those who do not work in healthcare should not have to be responsible for knowing nursing and its different levels. Still, the level of ignorance I encounter in some individuals is ASTOUNDTING.
PLEASE do not turn this into a forum for the whole "That's why nursing needs to have one level blah blah blah." I mostly wrote this to hopefully get a few chuckles out of the Constant Readers out there. :)
It's like when you're out driving and sometimes you see a car and you just KNOW the driver is about to cut you off or do something else that's rude and/or stupid.