I just started coming here regularly and have missed a lot of this discussion, but I've heard at least one person make mention to some people (including nurses) thinking LPNs aren't "real" nurses. Of course, a lot of you come to the defense of LPNs everywhere and mention LPNs you've worked with who are great and how they are nurses, etc.
I must have missed something along the way, though... Why do some people think LPNs AREN'T nurses? I know there are a few things we can't do that RNs can, but I think I've totally missed that side of the argument.
(I'm not trying to start anything here, but the one thread I've seen this in is about 25+ pages long and I don't have the time to read all of that )
I think that there are quite a few RNs even who don't even know LPNs exist until they actually get deep into the working world. Let's say you went to a major university, got your BSN (or BS with a major in nursing to be politically correct to all involved ), went to work at the hospital on say L & D, or NICU, or ER or some place that there usually aren't LPNs you could theoretically go quite some time without even knowing they exist. I think that ignorance is a large part of conflict.
I too read the post re: Did you feel sad about changing your name when you got your RN license? When I first read that thread, I too was taken back. But, I chalk it up to ignorance. How is one supposed to know if they have never been exposed?
When I was a new RN grad, my preceptor (a RN) was very disorganized and flustered all the time. Consequently, I felt the same ( on top of feeling clueless as a new gad). It was an LPN who helped me get organized and taught me "tricks of the trade" to work more efficiently. I was forever grateful and many times would go to her as a resource and mentor. LPN's ARE definitely nurses!!!!
Specializes in Med/Surg, Geri, Ortho, Telemetry, Psych.
I too read the post re: Did you feel sad about changing your name when you got your RN license? When I first read that thread, I too was taken back. But, I chalk it up to ignorance. How is one supposed to know if they have never been exposed?
Blessings,
Crystal
Crystal, I totally agree with you here. Plus, there are nurses from many different countries on this forum and they may not even use LPN's in their country. I totally understand that. Good point.
Specializes in Assisted Living, Med-Surg/CVA specialty.
I too read the post re: Did you feel sad about changing your name when you got your RN license? When I first read that thread, I too was taken back. But, I chalk it up to ignorance. How is one supposed to know if they have never been exposed?
Blessings,
Crystal
I went to an ADN program designed to get your LPN and your RN... You got your LPN after one year and after the second year, if you chose to continue on, you could get your RN.... now, in both of these years I have had at least one lecture dealign with the different types of nurses and other health care professionals. If an ADN program does this, shouldn't a BSN?
Honestly there is a good percentage of the general population who think the initials RN mean "real nurse." Hence when they see a LPN they do not consider them a "real nurse." There are also several position statements, some have been mentioned that only consider RNs as nurses.
The bottom line is that LPNs are legally licensed nurses in their state of practice. These position statements are just that--statements or opinions and not law.
)
HisHands, ASN, RN
177 Posts
I think that there are quite a few RNs even who don't even know LPNs exist until they actually get deep into the working world. Let's say you went to a major university, got your BSN (or BS with a major in nursing to be politically correct to all involved
), went to work at the hospital on say L & D, or NICU, or ER or some place that there usually aren't LPNs you could theoretically go quite some time without even knowing they exist. I think that ignorance is a large part of conflict.
I too read the post re: Did you feel sad about changing your name when you got your RN license? When I first read that thread, I too was taken back. But, I chalk it up to ignorance. How is one supposed to know if they have never been exposed?
Blessings,
Crystal