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

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

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?

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

Although I am not an LPN I have had this debate before as well. Just the other day in fact with a friend of mine. I just graduated with my ADN and she is working on hers. I have never understood why people think LPNs are not real nurses. My aunt was an LPN for over 40 years when she died. She taught many an RN how to do things and all the RNs at her work respected her and went to her when they needed help with something.

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I work in a unit with RN's only, but if I heard this in real life, I would just have to laugh and keep walking. Why be dragged down by the negativity of a few uninformed people?

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I am an LPN and I have NEVER encountered a negative attitude because of my title. I work w/ many RN's and they all seem to respect my position.

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The only people who think LVNs aren't "real nurses" are the non-medical people.

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I don't understand why it feels like LPN's have to defend their decision to be "just an LPN". I enjoy being an LPN, and I'm not sure that I will go back. It doesn't mean I don't have teh skills or brains to be an RN, I just choose not to go back at this point in my life. To me, an LPN is still a nurse, still has skills, and an LPN with 20+ years experience is going to be able to teach you a heck of a lot. It's not about the title, it's about how you care for people, whether you're a CNA, LPN, RN or higher.

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Specializes in ortho/neuro/general surgery.
To me, an LPN is still a nurse, still has skills, and an LPN with 20+ years experience is going to be able to teach you a heck of a lot. It's not about the title, it's about how you care for people, whether you're a CNA, LPN, RN or higher.

I love working with/covering an LPN who knows his/her stuff and has been a nurse longer than me.

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I don't understand why it feels like LPN's have to defend their decision to be "just an LPN". I enjoy being an LPN, and I'm not sure that I will go back. It doesn't mean I don't have teh skills or brains to be an RN, I just choose not to go back at this point in my life. To me, an LPN is still a nurse, still has skills, and an LPN with 20+ years experience is going to be able to teach you a heck of a lot. It's not about the title, it's about how you care for people, whether you're a CNA, LPN, RN or higher.

I face a similar attitude about "just being an ADN"....I am always being asked why I don't go after my BSN. Because I don't want it! It would get me absolutely nothing that I don't already have. I will never go into admin or public health, so I don't need it. I have seen both LVNs and ADNs with WAY more experience and brains than some BSNs. I don't look at the letters behind someone's name (except to make sure I'm not asking an LVN do something beyond their scope) but rather at their skills.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

I would stop letting what others say get me down. There is always someone with either the ignorance or insecurity to say things that put others down. And there is always someone "better" then we are some place perfectly willing to remind us, in his or her own misguided way.

Just get on with the business of the day, and let it roll off your back. You know better. If the person is truly ignorant and you feel can be educated, feel free to do so in a polite and assertive manner. Otherwise, put 'em on ignore.

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I am a R.N. and I work in a hospital where LPNs are hired to help take the load off the RNs. The LPNs pretty much do their own patient care with the exception of pushing narcotics, and assessments. I have a lot of respect for these nurses for they know their skills but I also encourage them to continue on with their education to become an RN and reap the benifits of the higher pay since they do as much as the RNs. Real nurses are anyone that provides paitent care, that is my opinion.

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Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

Don't shoot the messenger but....

I was actually taught by instructors at nursing school that LPNs are not nurses...that you must always preface it as practical nurse, not nurse.

Did this have me show less respect to them? No, I show the respect to whomever I work with - from janitor to MD?

Do I think that I cannot learn from them? Heck I have had some orient me.

Respect and ability to learn from someone have nothing to do with a title.

But some schools do teach that practical nurses are not "nurses".

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Please g-d let them not shoot the messenger.

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I was an CNA, then an LPN, then an RN.... now I wish I could be a princess, because some days it is just not worth the student loans I am still paying...

LPN's are respected NURSES

I get so tired of this bickering among the ranks... A nurse is a nurse.

adon/bsn... same freaking test when it boils down to the nitty gritty.

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