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

1realkuteLVN · Apr 3, 2012

I am an LVN, and compared to the seasoned RNs I work with, we don't measure up. I think we are fine to give medicines, and help the CNAs, but I thank they call us a "PRACTICAL" nurse for a reason. Compared to the extra year of pathology, pharmacology, and advanced Anatomy/Physiology and abnormal A and P, they are just much more prepared.

I hope I do get to go to school one day for RN level, but until then, I am going to keep it real. We can't assess, we can't admit or discharge without a cosigner (RN) and an RN has to document an assessment every 24 hours in most states I have worked in. I wouldn't mind being called a Nurse Assistant Technician or something like that.

I don't want to cause an uproar, I AM an LPN. But if I leave the US, am I still a Nurse? NOPE because LVN/LPN is an American Entry level position. Let's just be honest, THATs why there are so many of these WHY I FEEL LESS, or I WISH I GOT RESPECT AS AN LPN, or RNs are so mean to us LPN/LVNs.

I have never been disrespected as a LVN, and I doubt any of you on here have in person. People are just more honest on a website. If you want to dis me for my honesty, go ahead. Otherwise, lets take our place and assist the real nurses as best we can without all the drama and inferiority. RN school is still there also if you want to be a "REAL NURSE" and make real nurse pay. CNAs make more than us in some situations.

Be proud of the little bit of education we have, and stop whining about the career path you chose. IF YOU WANT THE RESPECT AND PAY OF AN RN, WELL FINE, GO EARN IT!!!! GET YOUR ADN/BSN, AND I WILL RESPECT YOU AS AN RN, AND YOU WILL GET PAID LIKE ONE.

nurse2many · Apr 3, 2012

"Compared to the extra year of pathology, pharmacology, and advanced Anatomy/Physiology and abnormal A and P, they are just much more prepared".

The LPN program I have graduated from required A&P I and II or as you may call it advanced, and pharmacology was a class we took the first semester, where it was optional for ADN students.

LPN's, RN's be happy, get along and keep on nursing... .

Fiona59 · Apr 3, 2012

This is a wonderful thread! I just read one on indeed.com that was so crude. LPN's and RN's fighting. I am an LPN. I go to Canada quite frequently and the nursing is so different. LPN's are paid much more and work under RN's in a "team nursing" approach in hospitals. Alot of LPN's work in OR. By working together they both are ensuring there need in the medical field. Otherwise they would have to compete with surg techs more and always have to go bck to school to get a bigger degree to keep up. I don't understand why some nurses that are hospital based are so against LPN's in US. Why wouldn't you want someone to deligate to "with YOUR license on the line" have been taught the same field and same theories just not as advanced? Why does it make more sense to run around stressed all day having a huge workload because the people you are deligating to are CNA, MA? Wouldn't it make more sense to be able to give more responsibilities to an uderling nurse that you know is trained in nursing? Also, wouldn't it secure nursing as a profession more so than competing with surg techs, pt's and what ever other "specialized trendy professions" colleges will pump out? I am proud to be a nurse and:kiss I am glad to see some nurses supporting each other :yelclap:

You really don't understand how LPNs work in Canada. We work under our own practice permit and carry our own insurance. The only person who "deligates" (sic) are the Charge RN who delegate all patients. My co-worker RN can ask for my assistance but they can't tell me what to do and it's up to me if I decide or have the time to assist them.

"uderling nurse" (sic) I've never looked after cow in my life.

Practical Nurses in Canada usually have two years at nursing school before they are permitted to write the registration exam. In my province, our education is based on the old diploma programme that is no longer taught to RNs (our RNs are all required to have a BScN).

We are paid more because we are unionized.

Anne36, LPN · Apr 3, 2012

Why does anyone worry about it? RN's are lower on the totem pole than BSN's and on and on. Im so sick of it. If you arent a Nurse Practitioner than you still have more school in front of you. Im only joking but Im starting to wonder what an LPN does. I am in my last month of a very rigorous 16 month LPN program and almost all of my clinical experience consists of giving CNA care. I have absolutely had it! Tommorow I will be doing CNA care all day, thats it. I know how to take vitals, and wipe butts. I was fine until today when I started my last rotation and found out my "Transitions" class was just more of the same crap. When else would I have the opportunity to shadow a nurse but in nursing school and No, I still have not been able to do that because they would rather have us do the CNA's charting. This is sorry prep for the job I have supposed to have in a few months.

KRODD · Apr 4, 2012

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?

The real question is why do so many emplyoers think that LPN aren't real nurses?

PeepnBiscuitsRN · Apr 4, 2012

We did a lot of nursing home and TCU work when I was in LPN school. Yes we did all the CNA and LPN work, but from what I gather, as an LPN in one of those settings, you'll be doing both jobs, LPN and CNA stuff because it sounds like staffing and ratio for those facilities are atrocious. I know they are for RN's- I'm an RN now and I thank the good Lord that I got to work in a hospital because I wouldn't have wanted to work as an RN or LPN in a nursing home.

If you don't like the CNA work, then find a good clinic to work at. I worked in a clinic, and it's a little different. I still wiped some butts- mind you (I worked in peds, sometimes the poor mom or dad would be wrangling in an older toddler, and the newborn would have gone number two and I just changed the diaper for them. I liked working in a clinic, I don't think I would have done well in a nursing home.

I don't regret being an LPN for a minute and I'm really over the politics of what is a "real nurse" because when I was an LPN, only an RN was a "real nurse" (so "they" said...whomever "they" are) and then graduated and became an ADN only to find out that only BSN's are REALLY nurses. So by my figures, come December when I finish my BSN, only a MSN will be a REAL REAAALLL Nurse. So I'll have to go back for that (or the DNP...is that how it is now?) and when I finish THAT, only physicians will be REAL REAL REAL REAAALLLL NURSES, and goodness knows a doc won't want to be called a nurse, therefore there will be no nurses anymore, only doctors... WHICH LEADS ME TO MY THEORY- the AMA is trying to take down nurses!! They're brainwashing the nursing powers that be, and this will lead to a final epic battle of nurses versus doctors. I can hear that generic epic fantasy battle scene choir already....whatever they're singing...yeah...yeah....

vonxojn · Apr 4, 2012

Hospitals in NC are starting to make the RN's and LPN's wear an additional tag on our badge that hangs just below our photo that reads in big letters your RN or LPN status. Of course you see that more in the hospitals that are Magnet status here. These bigger hospitals will not hire an LPN on staff. They want an all RN facility. So that leaves us to go to LTC, Urgent cares, and MD offices. I love working in a hospital and being able to use all my skills and knowledge I have acquired over the years.

Nurse Fee Fee · Apr 4, 2012

Wow 1realcuteLVN, you have an interesting take on the LPN. The education I recieved to become a LPN was in no way little bit and to be called a Nurse Assisant Technican or anything like that is just plan crazy, I may have 2 semester less of an education to become an RN, but the fact of the matter is I am a REAL NURSE, whether it be an LPN RN/ADN RN/BSN, when it comes down to saving someones life I am a real nurse just like they are. Every profession has a graduated level, with each step you take you get more trained and educated in the field of your choice.

I am sure my patients pass and present are extremely happy that I just don't pass meds and help the CNAs, and to clarify they help us the Nurse/LPN, and to put it in even more prespective you can become an CNA in 6wks were as the LPN has 2 years and externship and extensive clinicals to become a nurse. At my current position I supervise RNs go figure huh, I am every bit a Real Nurse as the RN and I am respected very much respected, and I don't know an LPN that makes my salary, if so God Bless her that is wonderful.

You sound just as bad as the RN that belittle LPNs. As for LPN being an American Entry Level position and still being a Nurse if you leave the US, check your facts dear you are still a NURSE, here a website that has plenty of position for LPNs in the UK.... lpn jobs in United Kingdom | careerjet.co.uk

I am A proud LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE, YES I SAID NURSE......

Fiona59 · Apr 4, 2012

LPNs don't exist anymore in the UK. They were called State Enrolled Nurses. They were phased out in the late '80s. The government offered them the education to upgrade to SRN.

The demise of the SEN is widely commented on in the UK and felt.

Australia still educates Enrolled Nurses.

The job postings you've listed are for Birmingham Alabama.

kids · Apr 6, 2012

You sound just as bad as the RN that belittle LPNs. As for LPN being an American Entry Level position and still being a Nurse if you leave the US, check your facts dear you are still a NURSE, here a website that has plenty of position for LPNs in the UK.... lpn jobs in United Kingdom | careerjet.co.uk
I am A proud LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE, YES I SAID NURSE......

Click on the jobs in your link, despite the search terms entered they ALL turn up jobs in the US, even the ones that say "England" or have "English" sounding location names.

Senior Living- England - England ---Hampton Cove, Alabama

Care & Rehabilitation Center-Winchester ---Winchester, New Hampshire

Senior Communities-Somerset ---Somerset, New Jersey

Communities-Enfield, Greater London--- Enfield Nova Scotia Canada

I'll stop there and let you look for yourself.

It's great your LPN was a 2 year program but the reality is there are plenty of schools out there who get folks through the NCLEX-PN in under a year, it's one of many reasons that with few exceptions, outside the US and Canada the LPN isn't recognized. It's not an opinion or condemnation of LPNs or their education, it's a fact.

Nurse Fee Fee · Apr 6, 2012

It is still not a reason to not consider an LPN a real nurse. The face of the matter is in a life or death situation, and there is only a LPN available are you going to tell her step back don't save my life because you not a real Nurse, nobody in there right mind would do such, atleast I hope not. People get a grip LPN's are real nurses, my training/education to become a nurse, included IV training and certification, starting and giving blood along with all the wonderful things that they taught in nursing school as well as pushing some iv meds and flushing....I will say that nursing back years ago was more of a team effort than today, I hear that so often from older nurses both RN and LPN in alike. Let just please get along and make our profession greater than it is now, a nurse with a team mindset and is so much better than a nurse who thinks she can go it alone.....

GAOchoa · Apr 6, 2012

at the Hospital where I did my clinical hours, I heard an RN from PEDS call LPNs "Glorified CNAs". That's so inmature knowing that she once was an LPN herself. LPNs are defiantely nurses, but RNs just have more schooling that's all!!! My Pharmacology instructor, who is a wonderful OB/Gyn Nurse Practitioner, spoke on our graduation, and said that the best "nurses" that she has ever worked with are the ones that went from CNA-LPN-RN!!! :)