Are LPN's/LVN's real nurses?

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

Here is a question I have been pondering. Is someone who has their license as a LPN/LVN considered to be a real nurse? How do most Helthcare professionals view LPN/LVN? When I get my LVN license will I be a nurse?

I know it says nurse in the title... licensed vocational nurse..... but are you considered by your colleagues to be a nurse? Does hospital administration consider the LPN/LVN to be a nurse? When you go out in public and someone asks what you are, do you say your're a nurse? Or do you say your an LPN/LVN?

Just thought I'd get it straight from the horses mouth :)

I'm attending school right now where they have a LVN program and I am so excited about it. Everyone in my class is striving to get into the program next year. But I keep hearing my mother say about someone else..... "Oh shes just a PRACTICAL nurse." As if the job the woman was doing wasn't important. :o

Thanks for any replies. You know how hard it is to get those repeating mother tapes out of your head. :chuckle

I'm from the Netherlands and our nursing education system is different, so I don't know the difference between an LPN/LVN and an RN. Can someone explain the difference to me?

In the Netherlands we have different levels, from level 2 to level 5 with levels 4 and 5 being the only ones allowed to call themselves nurses.

I'm studying nursing at level 5, which will eventually give me a degree in nursing that is just one level below a university degree.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would like to apologize for my previous post. It was rude, obnoxious, and uncalled for.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds stepdown ICU.

quote] Qoute from cutinurse removed per her request.

There are also some pretty unkept, sloppy LPN's. Many ADN programs do have more clinical hours. Ten times is really not the case!!!! How can you call someone you met in orientation an idiot?...doesn't seem like long enough to draw that conclusion. If you are so irritated why don't you go back for an RN program? Sometimes finishing first or being the fastest doesn't prove a thing. I see this thread closing soon........

Missy

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi pedinurse, I erased my former message because it was obnoxious and rude. You were very correct in your assessment of what I said. Please forgive my impulsiveness and insensitivity. If you could, will you just erase that big ugly message?

Thanks :o

Up Vote Up Vote ×
here is a question i have been pondering. is someone who has their license as a lpn/lvn considered to be a real nurse? how do most helthcare professionals view lpn/lvn? when i get my lvn license will i be a nurse?

i know it says nurse in the title... licensed vocational nurse..... but are you considered by your colleagues to be a nurse? does hospital administration consider the lpn/lvn to be a nurse? when you go out in public and someone asks what you are, do you say your're a nurse? or do you say your an lpn/lvn?

just thought i'd get it straight from the horses mouth :)

i'm attending school right now where they have a lvn program and i am so excited about it. everyone in my class is striving to get into the program next year. but i keep hearing my mother say about someone else..... "oh shes just a practical nurse." as if the job the woman was doing wasn't important. :o

thanks for any replies. you know how hard it is to get those repeating mother tapes out of your head. :chuckle

i was an lpn for 16 years.....yes, i was a real nurse then, as i am a real nurse (rn) now. i truly think that lpn's are underutilized at times.

true, as an lpn, there were things i could not do, due to scope of practice. but, i do not believe that made me any "less" of a nurse. i still care about my patients......worked the trenches. all those years gave me important information that enabled me to obtain my rn.

go for the lpn,and who cares what people say.

suebird :p

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds stepdown ICU.
Hi pedinurse, I erased my former message because it was obnoxious and rude. You were very correct in your assessment of what I said. Please forgive my impulsiveness and insensitivity. If you could, will you just erase that big ugly message?

Thanks :o

When you make comments like that it slams your own profession. Instead of sounding professional you sound jealous and quick to judge. If this is your first hospital job then you better slow down, step back, and definately refrain from the know-it-all attitude--that can get you in a real pickle if you do something the wrong way....then maybe one of those "idiot RN's" will be trying to rectify your error. A word of advice from an 11 year nurse ask questions and don't judge people by their exterior. When I took computer classes for various hospitals it took me longer because I wasn't aiming to finish first or impress anyone...I was aiming to remember and understand. I am glad you recognized your attittude as not a positive one!

Happy thanksgiving!

Missy

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have been an LVN for 30 years and have done EVERYTHING and I do mean everything that an RN does. I came from a little West Texas town that had very few RNs therefore we LVN's carried on. I have been a DON of an ICF III Nursing Home (that is when that let us be DON's), have been a DON for a 120 bed Assisted Living Facility, ADON at 3 different LTCFs, have recently switched to Pedi Home Health and love it. I DARE anyone to say to me"Oh, you're just an LVN" Because I guarantee you that don't want to be on the receiving end of what I would have to say. I have assisted in saving lives just like the rest of you. I have cried with families who lost loved ones, just like the rest of you. I am me. Me am an LVN and proud of it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

LVNs/LPNs are absolutely real nurses!!

Unfortunately my hospital is phasing out using LVNs. It really upsets me, because they are part of our team model of nursing and are very valuable to patient care!! I just hope that this trend reverses itself.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
LPNs are real nurses, but I always tell people interested in nursing to go ahead and become an RN. If there smart enough to be a LPN they might as well go for RN

And you know, people had told me this repeatedly, when they might as well just tell me how to run my whole life.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Half my RN nursing class was LVNs tired of being laid off while new grad RNs were being hired. I find it unfortunate that experienced and valuable nurses were being treated this way. There seems to be an unwritten policy of LVNs being "last hired, first fired". I also know that not all LVNs have the opportunity or inclination to become RNs and really shouldn't have to if they don't want to. On a final note, I would like to thank the LVNs that helped me in my nursing school clinicals.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My co-workers consider me a "real" nurse. I think it comes from the fact that I work my bum off, am always ready to help someone else, and I also *ask* for help and other opinions when I think I need them. It doesn't hurt that I'm pretty good at starting IVs (my former job included phlebotomy)!

I just wanted to throw that out there. Of course I feel that I am a "real" nurse. I also realize that I *don't* have the education that the RNs and BSNs do. They did do extra work and studies for that additional certification, after all!

I guess my point is, I have experienced nothing but respect for my license, from my other co-workers and from my patients, as well. I also make a point of showing respect to my co-workers, especially the RN who covers me for that night. I *always* thank him/her at the end of the shift, and I try to offer assistance to him/her during the shift. They put themselves on the line, covering me (just like you put yourself on the line, anytime you cover anyone), and they do have extra responsibility in covering me, since there are some things I can't do (can't hang certain meds, etc.). I appreciate it, and I make sure they know it.

Hope that helps!

Lori

Up Vote Up Vote ×

OK guys a LPN IS A NURSE A NURSE A NURSE

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment