Why do so many people insist that LPN'S AREN'T REAL NURSES!!??

Nurses LPN/LVN

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I mean, the title does have "Nurse" in it.So why are so many people insisting that LPN's arent real nurses? When I go to the hospital, I see these people giving medication , care, comfort and other services to their patients, isn't that what nursing is all about? What do you think about this issue? Do you think LPN's aren't real nurses?

Specializes in ER/Trauma.
You are not the best at interpreting, are you? 41 years ago! give me a break. And yes, lots of facilities are doing away with LPNs, just because someone made an offhanded statement to you, don't quote that nonsense as factual.
Hi Annabelle,

I believe Timothy was merely stating that the ANA shares part of the blame for the perception that "vocational nurses are not nurses".

Infact, a thorough reading of his other posts will reveal that he is not opposed to LPNs/LVNs - merely the policies of the ANA.

cheers,

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:madface: :( last I knew both LPN and RN , had to both take the state boards,

LPN is Licensed Practical NURSE, & RN is Registered NURSE . Where are you getting the REAL in RN, WE both went to school and we both have LICENSE to keep up . And we both care for the sick and the dieing, IS that not why we went into nursing to take care of patients. I HAVE NEVER HAD A DIEING PATIENT OR THEIR FAMILY TELL ME THEY DID NOT WANT ME TO HELP THEM AND HOLD THEIR MOTHERS HAND, BECAUSE I WAS NOT A REAL NURSE .:nurse:

I was kidding. Seriously. Dont think there is a difference and I agree with you and most of the posts. :monkeydance:

When I was in school, people asked what RN stood for. Someone assumed Real Nurse. Thought it was funny, though irelevant to the dif between LPNs and RNs. I can tell you that I nor they know much of a difference if we were patients on the floor between an LPN and an RN.

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edited in error. Member notified.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Trauma, Ortho, Neuro, Cardiac.
How can an RN claim to be responsible for another nurses pt load when the extent of their responsibility is IV pushes or mixing meds.

um.........in Florida it's called the Nurse Practice Act and the responsibility is more than just pushing meds and spiking your blood........on paper that is. In the day to day activity the LPN whose name is beside mine on the schedule and I don't interact all that much because we are busy with our own stuff (here they do their own IV pushes). However, there still is the matter that on a saved document there's documentation of who the RN is assigned to this person.

The good thing is that here in Florida one rarely hears about an RN getting into trouble for what an LPN does, or what the other RNs they are in charge of either for that matter. There is personal accountability that weighs in more.

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I was an LPN/LVN for several years in the ER. Let me tell you, I was looked at as a "real nurse". Especially when it got busy people could never remember whether you were an RN or LPN. Funny how that works eh?

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Most of these posts are from LPNs defending their position. Are there any RNs out there ready to defend LPNs?

Im an LPN doing my RN. Personally i consider LPNs nurses but not to the degree of RNs. We lack education. Fair enough that with experience we will eventially acquire knowledge but RNs know (should know) way more.

I think most of you out there are looking for confirmation that LPNs are just as good as RNs....but we're not.

RNs receive douple the education (sometime more) of an LPN.

Of course LPNs are nurses, we've got Nurse in our title but if you're looking for equality your not going to find it.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
You are not the best at interpreting, are you? 41 years ago! give me a break. And yes, lots of facilities are doing away with LPNs, just because someone made an offhanded statement to you, don't quote that nonsense as factual.

Tweety has my views on the subject right and my interpretation of the ANA is correct: they polarized nursing with their 1965 position paper, an opinion they still hold today.

If you reread that post, my interpretation was right on the money: propaganda. I wish I could say that the way most RN programs teach this WAS and is off-handed - but instead, I fear that it is more systematic.

I came right through the ranks: CNA, LPN, RN, Bach Degree (purposely not in nursing).

In reality, education is important. So is experience. They are twins just like the old nature/nurture debate.

I've worked in places where the only NURSES I would want to take care of my family were the LVNs on that unit. But, I think education is important, also. I would encourage all LVNs/LPNs to go get their RN - not in a patronizing way, but in order to get the dollars you deserve.

~faith,

Timothy.

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Specializes in floor to ICU.

I'm pretty sure my patient that I transferred to ICU yesterday isn't concerned that I am not an RN considering it was my LVN critical assessment skills that recognized and acted on his rapidly dropping BP, increasing lethargy and confusion...turns out he was septic.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
Most of these posts are from LPNs defending their position. Are there any RNs out there ready to defend LPNs?

By reading all the posts, one could see that there were plenty of RNs that have defended LPN here.

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First, the ANA doesn't consider LPN/LVNs to be nurses for purposes of membership. You cannot be a member of the ANA as a LPN/LVN. How can it be the American NURSES Association if LPN/LVNs don't belong? Or rather, their exclusion speaks to their position on the issue.

2nd, their 1965 position paper on nursing education actively advocated for the ELIMINATION of the LPN/LVN role and reducing ADNs to THAT role. Sorry moderator that said to keep the ADN/BSN out of it: but it is on point. This issue began it's official sanction with the pivotal polarizing ANA concept of differentiation of practices. That ANA's model did not see LPN/LVN as being a part of that differentiation, or practice.

~faith,

Timothy.

I've also wondered how an organization could call themselves the ANA since LPNs cannot become members. They should just change their name to the American Registered Nurses Association. Also, since their position paper on nursing education promoted the bachelor's degree, do they only allow bachelor-degree RNs to become members? I can't imagine eliminating the LPN role. As I've learned by working in long-term care, they are a vital and hardworking part of the healthcare team.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
I've also wondered how an organization could call themselves the ANA since LPNs cannot become members. They should just change their name to the American Registered Nurses Association.

I don't get that either. It almost seems like a form of false advertising.

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Specializes in community health, LTC, SNF, Tele-Health.

Lord I am so sick of hearing that..."Lets Play nurse" I have to say I am a very educated LPN. I went through an intense program and graduated president and ranked high in my class. I was 18. I passed my exam 2 weeks after my 19th birthday and took a job as a 3-11 charge nurse in a SNF. I've had a great career with a lot of experience, but theres always one person at every job that I feel like I have to prove myself to.

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