An issue of Disrepect

P_RN, ADN, RN · Jul 27, 2008

You have my respect, because the N does stand for Nurse and that IS what you are.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Jul 27, 2008

One of the hospitals up here regularly advertises that they have jobs for "nurses and LPN's."

Yes, it offends me.

rn-jane · Jul 27, 2008

You also have my respect, with or without your masters. I work with LPN's and we are all part of a team. In truth there are sone LPN's I would prefer to work with versus some Rn's that appear to be clueless with some aspects of nursing.

vivibonita · Jul 27, 2008

I'm a fairly new LVN, and have gotten the same kind of disrespect at the LTC facility I work at... and the funny thing is that it comes from othre, more experienced LVNs, or LVNs that couldn't pass the NCLEX-RN when they decided to move to this country to work as nurses. It is sad, to see that kind of disrespect from your collegues, maybe is because the career is ruled by women, competition, or something else but there should be more camaradery (sp) in this career.

Why can't we just get along? :cry:

Peace :monkeydance:

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jul 27, 2008

What beguiles me is that there are many RNs that think that all LPNs should either die with the desire to become an RN, or that we should be planning to work on it real soon. I have had some say that I need to become a nurse (Huh??).

I love to read about diseases, anatomy, medications, etc...I read books that explain the essentials of these things very often, because as I gain more experience, I can correlate much better. I do this because I love it, and I have a knack of explaining to patients what is happening to their bodies and why the treatments are as they are prescribed, as simply as possible, without losing it's meaning (this is one of the reasons why I love this site...I get the answers to things that have plagued me for some time). I have had people say to me "What do you want to know for? You don't plan to become an RN". Well, why shouldn't I know?? Maybe I can remind you, or maybe a broader observation can help save a person's life and our licenses! I even plan to sit in and audit an anatomy class, not for the grade (I earned that already-on a college level at that), but, because NOW, I understand it more and am listening to absorb, not to memorize. Once, someone said to me that I should become an RN, not for myself, but the community so I 'can serve them'. I go to health fairs to teach, take continuing education courses to hone in on what I didn't understand or to update myself, I hang out at allnurses every chance I get and I read my textbooks like bestsellers. Of course, I am giving to my community in the way I feel most comfortable. I am not going to go back to school to please anyone else.

I know all about the fact that RNs have wider and broader options in their career with their additional education, can specialize and are referred to moreso than I. But, I am not interested in what they do, and their additional responsibilities...period. Like you, I am not an underachiever, I function better with essential facts and can piggyback on the fundamental education provided in the LPN program to learn with avid fascination.

Listen, anyone worth their salt knows a good NURSE when they see one. Blow them off on a tissue and enjoy what you do. You have my respect and you mirror my feelings to a "T".

Katie82, RN · Jul 27, 2008

I just returned home from my daughter's LPN Pinning. She is in a program that will allow her to stop after one year as a LPN or continue on for a second year to RN. She is scheduled to begin the second year next month. During the first 2 semesters she took the same classes in the same classrooms as the RN students. She had an 8 week class in summer to "catch up" on all the things she would have missed in the second year as a RN student, just in case she wanted to stop now as a LPN. Unfortunatly, she had to "share" the ceremony with students who had just completed a 13 month "Accelerated" RN program. Now that's one that blows my mind. How can anyone feel competent as a RN after 13 months? I would be interested to track these students for the next 5 years to see how they compare to the 2 or 4-year students. LPNs have come a long way, and I know many that are as competent as RNs I work with. Unfortunatly, they are not considered "professional" nurses by many agencies. So unless you are planning on another career track like the poster, why not do another year in school? I would never allow my daughter to stop now, only because I know how limited her options will be.

Jules A, MSN · Jul 27, 2008

What beguiles me is that there are many RNs that think that all LPNs should either die with the desire to become an RN, or that we should be planning to work on it real soon.

As a guilty party to bugging you about considering your ADN please know that it is meant as a compliment to you, not an insult to your license, same as when I urge super sharp CNAs to consider nursing school. Hopefully as a former LPN and a staunch supporter of LPNs you know that I don't mean even the slightest bit of disrespect. I'll try to remember how it might come out sounding next time I'm tempted.

:redpinkhe

tearose2750 · Jul 27, 2008

AS, I have so often experienced and witnessed, the goal for good working relationships between RNs and LPNs is not for the RN to assume the necessity to "enlighten" and "educate." One never knows the exact knowledge base nor educational experience of another. When, I speak of disrespect, I am talking about the assumption that one feels superior merely based upon the initials behind their name. Do not assume that all LPNs need nor want career advise. The idea is to work in concert with all health care providers and respect the unique gifts that we all bring to the work place. Invading a persons personal space with uninvited advice acts to invalidate and undermine them and this is DISRESPECTFUL.

shelly304 · Jul 28, 2008

I recently had an NP pat me on the back and say, "Sweetie, you really should think about going to college and get the BSN next to your name, you are really a smart girl." Like she was speaking to a 10 year old.

I am a really smart girl!

I hold a BS in Equine Science and an MS in Equine Reproduction. I worked in that industry for 25 years and then decided to pursue nursing.

**One never knows the exact knowledge base nor educational

experience of another**

How so true!

My husband, with a pierced ear, hops on his Harley every morning and rides to his office....where he practices family law!