Attitudes towards LPN's

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Hi, I am a nursing student, and after year 1 of my RN, Ive realized I can't afford to finish RN so I'm doing the 2 year LPN course instead. One day I do hope to upgrade but for now it will just be LPN. I've been reading alot of discussions on here and alot of what i read is people (RN's) talking about how bad LPNs are and how unsafe they are. I don't want to end up in a career where I have no respect from my colleagues. I thought we were all nurses, and although RNs do have a greater scope of practice what is the purpose of disrespecting LPNs?

Thanks

Specializes in Geriatrics, Med-Surg..

Interestingly, most workplaces that I have been in, RN's and RPN's work quite well together. Often you may find that there is a group of RN's and RPN's that have worked together a very long time and may even socialize outside of work and look after each other on the job.

I have also seen nurses that have gotten on the bad side of any member of these groups and found that their shifts were a lot harder than they had to be.

I am not saying I think all of this is good or bad, it just seems to be the reality in many units in both hospitals and LTC's.

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Interestingly, most workplaces that I have been in, RN's and RPN's work quite well together. Often you may find that there is a group of RN's and RPN's that have worked together a very long time and may even socialize outside of work and look after each other on the job.

I have also seen nurses that have gotten on the bad side of any member of these groups and found that their shifts were a lot harder than they had to be.

I am not saying I think all of this is good or bad, it just seems to be the reality in many units in both hospitals and LTC's.

I agree with this. Rather than focus on what education someone has, how much work they can take off of you (legally), the bottom line is that LPNs and RNs do exist in certain settings. Does it make sense to say to a dedicated, knowledgable LPN that she doesn't deserve to work because she is not an RN? Or, does it make sense for an LPN to make an RN's life miserable? I think it is better that we combine our talents and skills to make this into an easier and cohabitive work place. Bottom line is that in this economy, we all have to work. Why ice out one title and leave the other overburdened when it can be worked out better?

Specializes in skilled nursing LTC.

Geez.

Becoming an LPN is a huge accomplishment.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!

Specializes in acute rehab, med surg, LTC, peds, home c.
As an RN who once had to work with LPN's, it sort of sucks working with them, honestly. I mean, yes we are all nurses, but working with an LPN means that I have to do my job and parts of yours too. Which, let's face it, sucks.

I have a little bit of disrespect for LPN's, but not for the reason you would think. Personally, I think if you are smart enough to become an LPN, you're smart enough to become an RN. So it's only prudent to get the more advanced degree and in some cases nearly double your income. I used to work with a 26 year veteran LPN who was an amazing clinician...but I as a newgrad made substantially more money than her. My disrespect for her was not based on her skills (because she was an amazing nurse), but because of complacency. I hate complacency.

This is a hot topic for me since I have been an LPN and am now an RN with a BSN and looking forward to an MSN. I agree with you about complacency, it is just weak. As far as your statement about an LPN being smart enough to be an RN, I disagree strongly. I partied my way through LPN school and passed with flying colors. When I went through the ADN program, had I used the same level of effort and time commitment that I had used in the LPN program, there is no way I would have passed. The prereqs alone are far more challenging than the LPN program, and I went to a "good", county run program, not a tech school. The RN program requires a more substantial commitment of time and energy.

To the OP, if there is any possible way to continue in your RN program you should try to tough it out, you will definitely be more respected by your colleagues. Besides, if you are an LPN, you will most likely be limited to LTC facilities. I do not disrespect LPNs, I am just very aware of their limited knowledge base. I have found that there is alot more interpersonal conflicts when I work with them as opposed to an all RN staff. Some seem to resent that they do the same work and get less money and less respect.

I find it amazing that this thread has gone on for FOUR pages and most of the RNs who post have neglected several points:

the OP is CANADIAN

Canada utilizes LPNs in a completely different way from the US

PN education up here is two years at college, the RN is four at university.

Reading comprehension should rank right up there with critical thinking skills.

Specializes in acute rehab, med surg, LTC, peds, home c.
I find it amazing that this thread has gone on for FOUR pages and most of the RNs who post have neglected several points:

the OP is CANADIAN

Canada utilizes LPNs in a completely different way from the US

PN education up here is two years at college, the RN is four at university.

Reading comprehension should rank right up there with critical thinking skills.

And we are supposed to know this how? Not knowing this has nothing to do with reading comprhension. Bitter much?

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
This is a hot topic for me since I have been an LPN and am now an RN with a BSN and looking forward to an MSN. I agree with you about complacency, it is just weak. As far as your statement about an LPN being smart enough to be an RN, I disagree strongly. I partied my way through LPN school and passed with flying colors. When I went through the ADN program, had I used the same level of effort and time commitment that I had used in the LPN program, there is no way I would have passed. The prereqs alone are far more challenging than the LPN program, and I went to a "good", county run program, not a tech school. The RN program requires a more substantial commitment of time and energy.

To the OP, if there is any possible way to continue in your RN program you should try to tough it out, you will definitely be more respected by your colleagues. Besides, if you are an LPN, you will most likely be limited to LTC facilities. I do not disrespect LPNs, I am just very aware of their limited knowledge base. I have found that there is alot more interpersonal conflicts when I work with them as opposed to an all RN staff. Some seem to resent that they do the same work and get less money and less respect.

Curious to know what you mean about "complacency, it is just weak". When we start bringing up the word 'smarter', regarding LPNs and RNs, it opens up a can of worms to me because for one, completing an RN program alone does not automatically make a person 'smarter' and there are some folks that did not buckle down enough for the RN programs either and eeked out what was necessary to pass. Many times, this depends on the caliber of the instructors, the current politics as well as the student themselves. The first LPN to RN bridge program at my community college was loaded with professors padding grades, having them study from some of the LPN textbooks and re-issueing exams in order to make that prototype class successful.

I would certainly HOPE that elevating to the RN level would be more intense rather than just hearing the exact things over again and getting paid more for nothing, or we would not be having this conversation to begin with. And regarding respect...I have not necessarily seen that just having an all RN staff bring about more respect amongest collagues. If anything, then, it becomes the BSN-ADN-Diploma-Which Program Did YOU Graduate From annoyances...in other words, other mess to fight about.

And we are supposed to know this how? Not knowing this has nothing to do with reading comprhension. Bitter much?

Let's see, the OP has a MAPLE LEAF flag by their name. If you visited their profile, you would see they live in Alberta.

Bitter? About what? I've got a BA and am working on a MA.

Critical thinking involves evaluating all the information provided by the OP (who, strangely hasn't returned to comment on any of our information).

Sorry about all the confusion. I do live in Canada and up here the only route to RN is 4 years, LPN is two. LPN is also more available, you don't need to go to a big city to do it like you do with the RN program. I really wasn't trying to start an LPN vs RN debate I was just trying to get some insight into some of the attitudes towards LPNs that I had noticed in other threads.

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Sorry about all the confusion. I do live in Canada and up here the only route to RN is 4 years, LPN is two. LPN is also more available, you don't need to go to a big city to do it like you do with the RN program. I really wasn't trying to start an LPN vs RN debate I was just trying to get some insight into some of the attitudes towards LPNs that I had noticed in other threads.

Did you notice whether or not there was an increase or decrease of some of the attitudes towards LPNs in Canada compared to here? I guess I ask, because as you mentioned (and what I have read), it seems like the LPN programs are more accessible than RN, and I am guessing at this, but maybe because of that, there are more LPNs in health care than RN?

I say if the job market is good for LPNs up there as well as the programs being more readily accessible, go for it, at least for now and see about furthering to RN at a later date. There is no written rule that you have to remain an LPN. Best of luck and keep us posted!

I am an RN, BSN, and I have worked with good and bad LPNs. Also bad RNs. LOL. In Colorado where I live, it is very difficult for LPNs to find employment. Most places only hire RNs. Usually it is only nursing homes that hire LPNs here. That would be my only concern about obtaining an LPN vs RN. Good luck to you!

Pagan:

I've been working nearly ten years now and have met only two RNs with the "LPNs are a drag" attitude. One was fresh out of retirement and didn't know what our scope had evolved to over the last decade (her manager had a major chat with her after I reported the comments) and the other oddly enough was from a US RN who had moved up here to work (who was also spoken to by her manager when the entire LPN staff of the unit basically said it's her or us).

Alberta is one of the most progressive provinces in PN utilization. We are everywhere. It is easier to say where we're not than list the areas we do work. We don't work NICU and some areas of our Cancer Clinics. I've met LPNs who do work in the ICU and some who have obtained the first LPN positions in our Cancer Clinics. The only real division on the floor is who is allowed to pierce the Travisol and blood bags. Since it still requires two signatures to verify the contents, the RN will hang it and walk away from the LPNs patient, leaving the rest of the fluid run, up to the LPN to monitor and halt if required.

Our PN education has evolved into the two year diploma/hospital based RN programme. When a new PN graduates in Alberta the diploma includes the required Arts transfer classes for the BScN.

In the major cities there are waitlists for the PN and RN programmes. Last info I heard was there was roughly 1500 applicants for 150 RN spots. This leads to incredibly well qualified applicants for the PN seats. In the rural areas, such as where the OP lives, it is easier to get into a course. I know of one LPN who was turned turn in by two RN programmes in my city and moved to a smaller city, in the rural area, who was accepted without any problem into the degree course. Not everybody had the option to sell up, and move to a country town to go to school.

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