Is a LPN an aide or a nurse?

[Jo_deye_yuh]

Just asking. I am a LPN x 2 years and feel unsupported from a variety of fields as to what "I thought" my professional capacity was to be. I find that LPN's are OVERLOOKED and BELITTLED from several angles, from pts, RN's, DR's, housekeeping, etc. If I went through a measly 1 year worth of intense nursing training, am I not just as valued to the medical profession?

Mind you, there are those that are very supportive and inspiring. But I just get this overall vibe that LPN's don't count. I am proud of where I am today and what I have learned and gained. I know I have so much more to learn and relish that opportunity. Why do I see some LPN's ashamed of their role and title? Is a PA or NP ashamed they are not a Doctor? Is not each role/title valued within that roles'/titles' capacity?

[galengod]

I have been an LPN for 11 years,have 5 years of college,am learned in topics such as physics,sociology,psychology,history,and art.I am currently persuing a Masters in Health Administration.I have been an administrator,a wardmaster,and a combat field nurse.I am also finishing my Regents College ADN.Do I get respect for my experience?Absolutely NOT!!!!I am disrespected on a daily basis by RN's with a quarter of the knowledge that I posess.I know everything that they know and can do alot of it with greater skill yet I am treated with rudeness,abruptness,coldness,and the attitude that just because a person has RN after their name they are automatically a superior intellect.I was hip-deep in all the things that they do when alot of them were in nursing school.I took twice the clinical hours and bookwork because as a military nurse I was expected to do much more than the civilian.As a sergeant for 6 years,I did all the admin stuff to a much greater degree than the average RN.The nurses I work with don't even refer to LPN's as nurses,they backbite each other,gossip and run from administration like scared kittens.I'm mad,you bet!I paid my dues only to find myself in lesser demand than RN's,much lesser paid than a new grad RN,and the butt of RN rage.When they are mad who do you think they pick on first?No,I do not recommend the field to anyone because RN's eat their young.I'm going to go someplace where I am appreciated and not talked down to.I am sick of taking garbage from RN's with only two years experience who think themselves so superior to me.Of course readers of this will grouse about nurses who go to admin like they are traitors but as I see it,they're not much better.I'm "selling out" because of the overall NEGATIVE experiences that I have had since leaving the military.This is coming from a guy that male co-workers described as friendly,approachable,professional,and generally great at nursing.Sorry,generally I don't appear this upset about anything,this is a very sore subject to a seasoned professional who has been made to feel devalued in his field.

[jamistlc]

Greetings All Nurses,

WE ARE A NURSE! Look to the LPN Corner and post this question see the response you get!

Peace,

Have a Blessed Day,

Jami a LPN

[Kris10lnC]

I agree with every post. I am so sick of being treated this way, see my post in LPN corner. LPN is not the way to go. Although look what it's done for us? We're excellent bedside nurses! In NH theyre trying to pass a bill that will allow CNAs to pass meds in nursing homes. Guess I'll be out of a job, I wouldn't want to be the RN responsible for that catastrophe. It's a shame where nursing is going.

[snazzle]

I have been an LPN for 10 years now. I love what I do. Most RN's do not give us any respect, they consider us gloried CNA's. I am planning to return to school soon to obtain my BSN, not because I'm tired of being an LPN, but because I'm tired of doing an RN's job for an LPN's pay. I work in LTC, most nurse consider that babysitting, but the scope of LTC has changed consderably.I do pt's assessments, pt & family education, critical thinking, administer meds IV,IM,PO,through peg tubes,start IV's,insert N-G tubes & have changed peg tubes,monitor labs, deal with the therapy dept, document, write careplans, have to sometimes attended careplan meetings & make rounds with the doctors, and the list goes on. So what part of that isn't NURSING??????????

[career_on_hold]

Well I understand your question totally. I becfaqme an LPN at the ripe old age of 19, and practiced for 17 years. I have experienced the frustration and have seen first hand the changes that role has faced. But chin up, I feel that the LPN is a vital part of the nursing profesion.

How your supported and accecpted is in a large part determined by the area of practice and the facility you have chosen to work for.

Some acute care settings are designed to use LPN's in a high level of nursing, depending on their skills, where others use them mainly as primaiary care givers, or nurses aides.

I personally am married to an LPN who is the Unit Coordinator of a 25 bed Alzheimer's Unit. He manages the unit, does all the scheduling of staff, determines who works the unit. Wrote the policies and procedures for that unit. Wrote a training manual for the unit, and is encouraged at every step.

So patience is key and research facilities that will utilize you to your potential. :)