Why don't people take LPNs seriously?

[Hellostudentnurssee]

I understand that as "nurses", we're the bottom of the food chain. I don't want to sound like a cry baby or put myself or other LPNs on a pedestal but I'm tired of people with the "you're just an LPN attitude". I do know many RNs that have been supportive and understanding. I know when you're a nurse, you have tough skin (and I usually do) but there are some days (like today) when it just gets to you.

I've been going to school for a long time - it's almost been 10 years from when I graduated high school. I've just been trying to get into any nursing school. I got my AA degree, became a CNA, worked, had to take pre-reqs over, and then the 2 years of LPN school. Now that it's all over, I realize how HARD it was...everything - emotionally, mentally, physically...especially if you had those really difficult instructors who made you feel incompetent. Anyhoo, the "problem" is mainly family members. I don't expect people to jump at my feet and floor me with compliments or attention but it's nice to be acknowledged. But if they don't, no big deal. I'm happy with myself with this accomplishment. I do get alot of "oh it's just LPN, no big deal" or "it's not an RN or BSN, so it's technically not a nurse yet." I do get what they're saying bc I have high expectations for myself and I know I'm not done in my career path but it really IRRITATES me and I think it's bc someone degrading the hard work I went through. Any kind of nursing school is HARD WORK. No offense but it's not like in CNA school...nothing compared to do that. It's almost like, "how dare you say that?" I think it's also a cultural thing to bc in my culture, it's like a stereotype to be a nurse. Anyhoo, sorry to be a debbie downer and vent but it really irritates me and I need to use my assertive, nursing communication "I-statement" skills now, should I? :)

[OnlybyHisgraceRN, ASN, RN]

I am a CNA and I thought I would pop in to say that I am sick of LPN's always finding a way to pipe up to pat themselves on the back. I have met some descent LPN's sure, but as they are my boss (until nursing school is over) I can most definitely say one of the big reliefs when I worked LTC was to see RN written on the schedule. I would say part of the problem stems from vocational schools pumping terrible lpns out all over the place contributing to the stereotype. If you ever want nursing to be a respected profession and not hear "why didn't you go to med school?" comments, the only right thing to do is phase out lpns eventually phase out RN's and make bsn's the new minimum standard.

I'm so sorry that you are ignorant of some of the roles LPNs play. Honey, when you graduate you still may have a LPN that is your boss, maybe not in a clinical expect but in LTC many LPNS supervised RNS. I'm not saying whether it is right on wrong, I just don't want you to be surprised if and when it happens. Phasing out LPNs is not going to happen anytime soon. LPNs practically make up a great percentage of LTC facilities. LPNs are cheaper than RNs and most importantly they are effective health care providers and nurses. You need to change your attitude about LPNs because they will be around for a while and you need to learn how to have a productive working relationship with everyone on your team. As a new RN and previous LPN I have to say I've learned mostly from experienced LPNS who had a wealth of knowledge, critical thinking and wisdom. I've seen LPNS run circles around RNS, BSN, and physicians. In my opinion, crendentials don't make a competent nurse, experience and expertise does. I'm so sorry you feel this way about LPNs.

[OnlybyHisgraceRN, ASN, RN]

wow....full of yourself much?....we do all of those things, everyone of them with the exception of IV Push...I start and maintain IV's, and admin everything with the exception of blood and Narc's....get over yourself...we don't teach?....we don't assess?....seriously, that is so misguided I can't stand it....

I agree. When I was a LPN, I assessed, provided teaching to pts and family members, and evaluate. The text book and nclex states we do not do these things, but it is not true!

[sidroc]

I'm so sorry that you are ignorant of some of the roles LPNs play. Honey, when you graduate you still may have a LPN that is your boss, maybe not in a clinical expect but in LTC many LPNS supervised RNS. I'm not saying whether it is right on wrong, I just don't want you to be surprised if and when it happens. Phasing out LPNs is not going to happen anytime soon. LPNs practically make up a great percentage of LTC facilities. LPNs are cheaper than RNs and most importantly they are effective health care providers and nurses. You need to change your attitude about LPNs because they will be around for a while and you need to learn how to have a productive working relationship with everyone on your team. As a new RN and previous LPN I have to say I've learned mostly from experienced LPNS who had a wealth of knowledge, critical thinking and wisdom. I've seen LPNS run circles around RNS, BSN, and physicians. In my opinion, crendentials don't make a competent nurse, experience and expertise does. I'm so sorry you feel this way about LPNs.

I work ICU and Telemety at a hospital now, we don't have LPN's nor hire LPNs. Credentials don't make a competent nurse, but a motivated nurse never quits at LPN either and many LPNs are LPNs because of a lack of motivation to go farther. I will be an lpn briefly, after my first year of my ADN, but after that I will be an RN, and soon after a BSN. LPN's are already phased out of all major hospital chains in my state, the pattern is starting and hopefully it will lead to nursing being considered a profession instead of a job. I do have a productive relationship ship with my team. Kindness goes a long way, it doesnt mean I dont have a vision on how the team can be improved either.

[conroenurse]

USUALLY the reason someone took LVN/LPN instead of ADN is because of time/money. I know in my case I had limited time and money for education (back over 30 yrs ago) and 4 kids to raise by myself, and most of the LVN's I ask cite the same rationale.

I guess some might want to SEE if like nursing, but mostly due to the above. Matter of fact I just kinda told a very young and new nurse which we call "Barbienurse" RN who was doing ALOT of "I deserve I am smarter than Older nurses (LVN OR RN) because I just got out of school" that this was the real difference between the licensures and she actually GOT It, and alot of new respect was born around here. It really changed her attitutude and the only negative is that she seeks us poor ole' LVN's out a little TOO much when it comes down to "FIELD smarts". LOL

REALLY and truly, MOSTLY there is NO DIFFERENCE except pay, AND the individual nurse. I've seen the most intelligent LVN's, and dingdong RN's and v/s. It's the individual that makes the difference and what they wish to learn and how they want to be a nurse.

[sidroc]

USUALLY the reason someone took LVN/LPN instead of ADN is because of time/money. I know in my case I had limited time and money for education (back over 30 yrs ago) and 4 kids to raise by myself, and most of the LVN's I ask cite the same rationale.

I guess some might want to SEE if like nursing, but mostly due to the above. Matter of fact I just kinda told a very young and new nurse which we call "Barbienurse" RN who was doing ALOT of "I deserve I am smarter than Older nurses (LVN OR RN) because I just got out of school" that this was the real difference between the licensures and she actually GOT It, and alot of new respect was born around here. It really changed her attitutude and the only negative is that she seeks us poor ole' LVN's out a little TOO much when it comes down to "FIELD smarts". LOL

REALLY and truly, MOSTLY there is NO DIFFERENCE except pay, AND the individual nurse. I've seen the most intelligent LVN's, and dingdong RN's and v/s. It's the individual that makes the difference and what they wish to learn and how they want to be a nurse.

No difference? I am sure many nurses would beg to differ.

[conroenurse]

ah, that DEPENDS on the LVN you are looking at SKILL levels with! I work NICU level 2/3 and I do same as any our RN's do every day INCLUDING hanging blood, start abx, CENTRAL LINES,,,,,,,etc etc. I also work Psych ICU and trust me, I can out skill most nurses there, (OKAY, I TALK FASTER) LOL

Truly though, depends on person, state, BON and on and on, but NOT their licensure level IMO.

[sidroc]

ah, that DEPENDS on the LVN you are looking at SKILL levels with! I work NICU level 2/3 and I do same as any our RN's do every day INCLUDING hanging blood, start abx, CENTRAL LINES,,,,,,,etc etc. I also work Psych ICU and trust me, I can out skill most nurses there, (OKAY, I TALK FASTER) LOL

Truly though, depends on person, state, BON and on and on, but NOT their licensure level IMO.

Liscensure levels mean allot to hospitals and the state and generally the BON and should mean allot to the nurse. It can signify alot about you and what it signifies is the reason hospitals have in most areas phased them out.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Again, we simply go back to scope of practice...

[conroenurse]

Please name a state that doesn't have LPN/LVn's! You are most certainly entitled to your opinion, and not to start flame war.

I am simply stating IMO, and what I've seen over 30 yrs of nursing experience in well respected hospitals that I work in.

[sidroc]

Agreed, and the scope of practice does have a relationship to your skills levels your fluent in.

[sidroc]

My State (Washington) has done a massive phase out of lpns in hospitals. Providence wont hire LPNS for example and neither will Swedish. You might encounter grandfathered LPN's in Washington, but not new hires at the hospitals. They are primarily LTC.

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

In my area, there are vocational schools (not colleges) in which one can enroll and have an LPN certification ten months later. It is not the exception, it is the norm. Meanwhile, there is a wait for the 2-year RN programs in community colleges that is approximately two years long; this is after one has completed the required pre-req courses, typically taking about a year.

To answer the question of why LPNs might be taken less "seriously", I can only go with the thinking that since they have less education (no college required) they are "lesser" nurses. This is the impression of the general public, not necessarily what nurse co-workers believe.

What do *I* believe, as an RN? I believe I have worked with some truly dedicated, wonderful LPNs who were very knowledgeable about patient care, disease processes, and treatments. I have also worked with some LPNs who showed every bit that they were barely awake during their 10-month programs and learned nothing since.

The bottom line is that nursing is what an individual makes of it: outside the clearly defined scope of practice differences that DO exist, an individual LPN may be an amazing nurse I'd be happy to have working with my family, or she/he may be a nightmare. Same, btw, for RNs: I've known some who have been wonderful and some who I wondered how the heck they got through school.

I think the answer to being taken seriously, no matter what the designation, is to do the very best job you know how to do, conduct yourself in a professional manner always, and never give the gossipline the fodder it needs to tear you down. Hold yourself and your standards high, and YOU will be taken very seriously indeed :)