Apologizing for being "just an LPN"

pagandeva2000, LPN · Apr 5, 2007

I'll get flamed for this, so I'm putting on the asbestos scrubs right now..
Nursing has evolved over the centuries. Back in Flo's day, it was a job no-one wanted. The military used to take wives along to care for soldiers in Wellington's day.
Flo made is respectable for women to take up nursing. Her training methods were practical. Skills that nurses needed. Yes, there was deference to doctors (and men in general due to the era).
Since the '70's at least in my neck of the woods, the BScN has been the "goal". The degree nurses I work with all want to wind up in management, and a few have admitted that they don't know why they need a degree to be a bedside nurse.
The PN graduates of today have skills that RN diplomas and hospital trained nurses of the '80s.
It almost seemed that a vocal few in RN associations have managed to restructure the education system of several nations in the goal of a "degree holding nurse".
Nursing today is attracting a diverse body of personnel, but I'm disturbed by the number of second degree students who never wanted to be a nurse but have found their original degrees did nothing for them in the real world. These nurses in my experience want nothing to do with bedside nursing and want to go straight into management or become a nurse educator.
Well, the world can only use so many managers and educators. Perhaps its time to rethink the degree and reserve it for experienced nurses who want to go into management or educate other nurses in the hospital setting.
Get's fire extinguisher ready...

I totally agree. Nursing has opened so many doors for people to walk straight into administration without a lick of bedside experience. Most other degrees may not offer the same rate of pay that an RN can obtain. Because many of them are really turned off by the bedside, not all of them can properly advocate for the floor nurse...even the associate degree RN is not always considered by administration from what I have witnessed. And, I have to agree again that back in the days of Florence, the skills were PRACTICAL. I wouldn't say 'simple', but basic and to the point. Even the science courses were not as evolved then as they are now, and what they considered was presenting signs and symptoms and how to deal with them accordingly. It is the regulatory agencies that have ruined nursing to me with their ridiculous demands on endless paperwork (most of them lies, because most nurses don't have time to follow their own care plans or anyone else's for that matter) that can land our rumps in court if not careful.

linzz · Apr 17, 2007

I was talking to a BSN student recently and this student said, "I have no intention of doing any bedside nursing at all, when I finish this program, I am going to get my masters so that I can sit at a desk in public health."

PedsRN-07 · Apr 17, 2007

I am an LPN to be ...graduating May 17.. Cannot wait.. the reason why I went the LPN way was because the RN required too many pre-reqs and it would take me too long to finish with the waiting lists, plus I have a baby and husband, and need a job asap ... After I graduate I will be working hopefully at a hospital which would pay for my RN schooling and guarantee me a position. I heard that if you are an LPN, and later become an RN, you should get paid more than the fresh starting RN, because of your LPN experience working (which is fair)... so that is a good thing.. and as an LPN we are learning more of the "technical" skills and procedures, whereas RN are learning that plus more of the "theory" side and IV's, that is basically the main difference between the 2. I am glad that I got my LPN first even though my goal in the beginning was to become an RN for sure. When I go do the LPN-RN program, My RN classes would not be as hard because I would have experience working as an LPN. I only have 2 more semesters in obtainin my RN degree which is only 8 credits per semester, that will allow me to keep working full time. I'm so excited to become an LPN in a month :loveya: GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!

RN BSN 2009 · Apr 17, 2007

You can always bridge later!!

Lovely_RN, MSN · Apr 17, 2007

I am completing the LPN portion of my nursing program right now and I can't wait to get my license. I have already been told by non-nurses who are hung up on titles that it is better to be an RN but I could care less about what they think. Most of these people don't even know what they are talking about any way, they can't tell the difference between a CNA and a NP!

As for people who are in the health care field who can tell the difference? Well who asked them anyway! Are they living your life? Paying your bills? NO! So why should you care what they think?

My mom has been an LPN for over 20 years (2nd career) and she has told me many times that she has no regrets and no desire to be an RN. She loves what she does for a living and has told me many times that she likes nursing but does not want the additional responsibilities of the RN. My mother has never lacked for a job and even now that she is over 60 she still has agencies offering her work.

I am going on to get my RN but I am grateful that I will have an LPN license first that will allow me to gain some much needed experience before I am thrust into having all of the responsibilities of an RN.

*JMHO*

I honestly think that nurses would be better off if there was less snobbery about titles. I will even go so far to say that I think that RN turn over would be less if RN's gained some experience as CNAs and LPNs before going on to RN. I've been a CNA so I know what it is like to work in a hospital and LTC but let's say that I hadn't? What is better to go to school for 1 year no pre-req's and find out that nursing is not for me or spend 1 year on pre-req's 2 years on classes and then find out nursing is not for me? Even worse, go straight for my BSN, acquire student loan debt and then find out it's not for me?

Miss Ivy · Apr 17, 2007

I just graduated as an LPN. I am 43 yrs old, married with 4 kids. I became an LPN because my mother in law, who has been an RN for well over 50 yrs suggested that I take this route to see how much I like being a nurse before I invested alot of time and money in an RN program. It was great advice. I work in a pediatric office and I absolutely LOVE what I'm doing. I am currently in a psychology class, inching my way toward that RN but I'm starting to re-consider and just stop at being an RN. I was in the position where I didn't have to work while getting my LPN certificate. But now, I work 3 days a week and have to balance work along with my family responsibilities. It is much harder for me now. And as I said, I really like what I'm doing. I haven't given up my plan to be an RN but I no longer feel that sense of urgency.

And I had one person look at me, while I was still in school and doing my clinicals who loudly said to me "Oh, you're going to be an LPN - a Let's Pretend Nurse"! Boy, did that get my blood boiling!

jode2 · Apr 19, 2007

I agree! We may be lower paid nurses but it does not mean we are less of a nurse. I have more clinical and work experience than half the RNs I work with. I worked hard to become an LPN. I am proud to be an LPN.

You are an example of the exact same mentality the OP refers to. Why should we have to make up an excuse????? Some of us just don't want to be an RN, pure & simple and should not have to explain ourselves.

moodychick, LPN · Apr 20, 2007

I, too, have always felt the need to apologize for being an LPN. I've been doing this for 35 years and I'm sick of it!!:barf01: But, now, after 35 years as an Emergency Room NURSE, I have been told to go back to school or lose my job. Since I have no choice because I love ER, I am going through EC to get my RN. It's difficult to do and work full-time; but, I must. It seems a shame that such wonderful nurses should have to put up with such degradation!

DeeDee143 · Apr 20, 2007

Ill be graduating next month and I get the same reaction like" oh so your not going to school to be a RN" its gets to a point where I just want to say that a RN is not only a nurse. I too explain the difference 1. pushing meds through a IV 2. managing. not too much difference. I believe there is the word "nurse" in (LVN/LPN)

dumas36 · Apr 21, 2007

I understand exactly what you mean I started school originally to become a foreign language teacher. I married and decided to have children I took classes at night when I could to get some general education classes out of the way. I have three kids and of course demands and expenses of a family. I decided to go the LPN route because it was shorter, a year and a half. The RN program only accepted once a year with a waiting list. I knew a girl that had been trying for two years to get into the program. The LPN program accepted 2 times per year had a smaller easier access campus with a very educated exceptional staff who really cared about educating us. Since I had taken general education classes that were transferable to a 2 year degree I only need 21 hours and plan on finishing online to get my RN. My husband after talking with an RN he happened to Know from doing security work at a hospital, he is a cop, told him that LPN's were glorified CNA's . I am not speaking ill of CNA's they do a wonderful job in making things better for patients, I was just apalled at her lack of professionalism. We were trained just like an RN in fact the only difference in myself and an RN at this point is that a 2 year degree has 6 core nursing classes. The LPN has 3 of the core nursing classes provided all general education classes are the transferable ones. I plan on taking advantage of the tuition reimbursement plan to get the rest paid for. My husband was embarassed and told me I had better get my RN, of course he didn't mind asking me to pay the mortgage on my lowly LPN salary. He's no longer here and my little salary has given me independence. LPN's are doers we jump in and get it done. Chin UP Always!

scholar · May 2, 2007

I do not agree with your logic at all. There is such a great need, and to say that a LPN does not fill that need is crazy, and uninformed. To read what you wrote tells me a lot about you. You mentioned money foremost. Is that what true Nursing is all about? For all the LPN's out there, there is absolutely NO reason to make any excuse for why you became a LPN. Be proud of your achievement. All you LPN's out there need to teach these people how to treat you. RN's need to respect LPN's, period.. I said my piece. PEACE

The only reason why I said come up with a short excuse is because it is bothering her. I didnt say that Lpns doesn't fit a need. I mentioned money foremost b/c that is how the real world runs. Gas is expensive, the cost of living is expensive, etc is EXPENSIVE. I could be wrong but are their any RNs out there who would still do what they are doing on a CNAs salary? And if any rn says they would. Do you have a husband/wife? Would you be willing to work full-time nights/weekends holidays? Are you all ready rich? Are you a nun or priest?

I have bills like everybody else. Money is a motivational tool. It is not my only reason for pursuing nursing. If that were the case i would not be pursuing nursing. RNs are not the highest paid workers. MDs Surgeons, Business Administrators, engineers, famous musicians. Chemists dental hygienists make more... Now im done! peace in..

pagandeva2000, LPN · May 3, 2007

What is interesting is that we are nurses when it suits them, other times, we can be considered as glorified nursing assistants.