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? :)

[realnursealso/LPN, LPN]

Please stop all these threads. 3 are going on right now. I am taken seriously, no, being an LPN is not "bad", and we are NOT!!!!!!!!!!being phased out. Lordy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:redlight:

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

People don't have to be all they can be if they don't want to be. Personally elitism from nursing students bores me. You haven't proven you can achieve anything yet so why criticize the achievement of others. Many nursing students end up saying "well I tried becoming a nurse but it didn't work out."

[Stephalump]

I do not pride myself as having a higher intellect than a LPN, nor have I alluded to it. I am a CNA starting a ADN program and do not know more than a LPN. What I will say is that it is a travesty that someone with the capacity to become an LVN or LPN does not advance to their RN. It to me is telling about their motivation. It makes me wonder if their in it for a paycheck big enough to buy their pizza and beer after a 12 hour shift, or if they truly want to make a difference and become personally successful as well as take pride in their status in healthcare as well as advance the cause of adequate patient care. I truly believe that anyone with the ability to obtain their LPN is capable of becoming an RN, however one who does not peruse higher education beyond the minimal will never have the same level of standing in my eyes.

Many of you might respond that life was difficult when you finished your LPN and that moving on was impossible. I believe this to be a fallacy as I have met many many immigrants from Ethiopia and Gambia, as well as other 3rd world countries who came here in the late 90's with their wife and kids penniless and now are RN's and BSN's at major hospitals. If a penniless immigrant with a wife/husband and children on a green card can do it, We have citizens have little valid excuses. All things considered, I am disappointed by the level of discourse you have displayed Wild Irish LPN given the immediate resort to an ad hominem, If you must know, I generally post from my phone on lunch at work and this can lead to many types of errors.

A "travesty?". Really? Me thinks you spend a bit too much time pondering other people's career choices and are a bit too overdramatic.

The goal of a career choice is to provide a standard of living for you and you're family that you are comfortable with, and maybe enjoy the work along the way, not to do the most difficult thing you could possibly intellectually handle to prove something to someone.

I think it's a travesty that people can't leave other happy, productive people alone.

[nursel56]

People don't have to be all they can be if they don't want to be. Personally elitism from nursing students bores me. You haven't proven you can achieve anything yet so why criticize the achievement of others. Many nursing students end up saying "well I tried becoming a nurse but it didn't work out."

Tedious is the word I was thinking of - but I'm feeling a little stab of pity now and then. There are so many constructive things you can do on your lunch hour! In the end, we all have to live with who we are and reap the consequences, whether we're aware of the connection or not.

[Salisburysteak, BSN, RN]

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? :)

Maybe because some LPN/LVNs do not take themselves seriously!

[Fiona59]

Wow.

Thank you for including Canada in your view.

In Canada, to become an LPN, I attended College for two years. The BscN is the only route to becoming an RN. There are a limited number of bridge programmes available.

We don't see the LPN as a "lower class of nurse". The scope of practice is very narrow in my province. The move is actually towards increasing the number of LPNs on hospital units due to the expense of RNs (currently topping at around $50/hour in my province). Financially, it makes sense. On many acute units we are now seeing two RNs and six LPNs working in harmony. My hospital has just hired four LPNs to work in NICU, so there are very few services left as RN only.

Oh, and just so you know it's "aide"

[RNsRWe, ASN, RN]

.... As for starting as an Aid first, my state requires working as an AID by law before being accepted to a ADN or BSN program....

I'm staying out of the rest of this discussion, but your statement here piqued my interest: what State requires that one be a CNA (or pct?) as a condition of acceptance into a nursing program? I would think the individual schools would make this determination, not any one State's BON. Of what law are you speaking?

[tothepointeLVN, LVN]

Yeah I was wondering that too. I would have though in my years on AN I would have heard if there was a legal requirement to be a CNA in any of the states. People don't keep quiet about those kinds of things

[Wild Irish LPN, LPN]

A reminder!

Allnurses supports a lively debate........ you are free to disagree with anyone on any type of subject matter as long as your criticism is constructive and polite. Additionally, please refrain from name-calling. This is divisive, rude, and derails the thread.

Our first priority is to the members that have come here because of the flame-free atmosphere we provide. There is a zero-tolerance policy here against personal attacks. We will not tolerate anyone insulting other's opinion nor name calling.

Our call is to be supportive, not divisive.

We all need to play nice in the sandbox together.

Agreed....I regret calling this student a "joke"....it was beneath me in doing so.....I certainly did have my attack-mode in gear however, and in some way I believe that this is the intent of my prey....I got sucked in and made for some good entertainment for this person....

These petty arguements really do bother me though, especially when they seem to be an attack on a group.....Yes I am an LPN, and I consider it my crowing achievement in my life, I have never been more proud to be called a "Nurse"....all of us have our special gifts that we bring with us to our profession....the fact that this person is so hung up on rank and recognition is troubling to me....the fact that this poster has yet to spend even an hour in the life as a student nurse really concerns me...there is absolutely nothing to base these opinions on, and is very inflammatory....

If one goes though and reviews my "posting" history, you will find that this really isn't my thing, (name calling etc....) I believe in helping one another out and hope to provide some insight when needed or warranted, in fact it is very hard for me to be negative....I think that this is simply a case of playing the cards that this person wanted me to play, I got sucked in and ultimately lowered myself to that level....

all is good, Cheers!...:cheers:

Thomas

[nursel56]

Thomas - I think we're all vulnerable to that sometimes. It's particularly difficult when someone makes their introduction a disparaging remark. There is just no way that's meant to be useful or constructive, no matter what rational points might be wedged in there in an incidental fashion. It bothers me when people want to seek attention in that manner, because they usually get it, our human nature being what it is. Sometimes I know I should step away from the computer but it seems like a magnetic force is holding me there to read stuff that makes me crazy!

[Wild Irish LPN, LPN]

Thomas - I think we're all vulnerable to that sometimes. It's particularly difficult when someone makes their introduction a disparaging remark. There is just no way that's meant to be useful or constructive, no matter what rational points might be wedged in there in an incidental fashion. It bothers me when people want to seek attention in that manner, because they usually get it, our human nature being what it is. Sometimes I know I should step away from the computer but it seems like a magnetic force is holding me there to read stuff that makes me crazy!

Thank you!....next time I will just back away slowly from my laptop and move on....:)

[Hellostudentnurssee]

Quick response: You have NURSE in your title therefore I am in your corner. I hold nothing but respect towards ALL NURSES.

No disrespect from this RN.

Your words touched me. I appreciate this greatly. Part of this is my problem. I don't believe I'm a nurse yet but you're right. I'm not an RN YET but I do have "nurse" in my title.

My mom had been an ICU nurse for more than 30 yrs and understands both parts of the spectrum. She told me, "if a person who is not in the healthcare field asks you what you do, you tell them, 'I'm a nurse.' If someone IN the healthcare field asks you, say (with a smile on your face), 'I am an LPN.'" She said there's not enough patience having to explain and defend your cases to those who are ignorant in the nursing profession.

Again, thank you