Are LPNs nothing but a "set dressing?"

[Ms.RN]

according to a study "supply, demand and use of licensed practical nurses,

employers should examine how the work of licensed nurses could be allocated safely and reasonably, so that rns are not overwhelmed and lpns can practice to their full scope of practice. although lpns cannot directly substitute for rns, many tasks traditionally completed by rns can be accomplished by lpns, with appropriate training.

excuse me? i personally find this offensive. so what this is saying is that we lpns are low graded workers to reduce the burdens of rns? at my workplace, lpns have exactly same number of patients as rn's, we do exactly the same work as rns. the only thing that lpns cannot do is start an iv, but here in my state, even a patient care aides (cnas) can start an iv if they were trained so its nothing special previliges that rns have. i guess lpns are like what arnold schwarzennegger stated as " a set dressing" huh? how nice

[nuresnia]

I work in a hospital where I can do any thing a RN do except hang blood after the blood is hung I monitor the blood. There are no charge nurses the unit secetary is a LVN and she functions as a charge nurse would. Keeping up w/the lab work contacting Dr.'s Monitoring the work load the only thing the LVN cannot be a supervisor and the Lvn get paid quiet well the pt load is the same RN to LVN ratio . I am preparing to attend RN school, I was even the Wound Care Coordinator , untill new CEO was hired and wanted a certified RN

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

We RN's don't get the respect WE deserve, either! We don't get it from doctors, patients, OR LPN's and CNA's, oftentimes. It's not just LPN's getting the bad treatment..........and...

This is why i always say it goes both ways.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Indeed it does, Marie. I can't agree more.

[nuresnia]

I work in a hospital where I can do any thing a RN do except hang blood after the blood is hung I monitor the blood. There are no charge nurses the unit secetary is a LVN and she functions as a charge nurse would. Keeping up w/the lab work contacting Dr.'s Monitoring the work load the only thing the LVN cannot be a supervisor and the Lvn get paid quiet well the pt load is the same RN to LVN ratio . I am preparing to attend RN school, I was even the Wound Care Coordinator , untill new CEO was hired and wanted a certified RN

[SmilingBluEyes]

I work in a hospital where I can do any thing a RN do except hang blood after the blood is hung I monitor the blood. There are no charge nurses the unit secetary is a LVN and she functions as a charge nurse would. Keeping up w/the lab work contacting Dr.'s Monitoring the work load the only thing the LVN cannot be a supervisor and the Lvn get paid quiet well the pt load is the same RN to LVN ratio . I am preparing to attend RN school, I was even the Wound Care Coordinator , untill new CEO was hired and wanted a certified RN

I would say, hat's off to you. You are doing something that will enhance your marketability and controls your own destiny. Way to go!

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

I mean, i've had people, (and a couple from here, actually) when i've vented about being treated as less than zero because of the title, tell me to go back to school as the answer to others' ignorance, THEN wonder why it offends me. I could get a doctorate, and it still wouldn't change their ignorance or opinion. They'd have to want the change in the first place.

I, myself, am well aware LPN and RN are not the same job (duh). They may have some common ground, but it is not the full parallel, and should never be assumed to even be close.

Although, sometimes the answer the answer stares you right in the face. Someone says "and then some 'smarty' RN comes along and tries to convience them that they need to go back to school" then turns around and says "LPN's do not get the respect they so rightfully deserve".

Gee, WONDER WHY THAT is???

Be respectful, get respect (duh, again).

[NurseJacqui]

Get over it,graduate nurse. Serioulsy I am tired of hearing LPNS complain all the time . I think you are reading into things and I think it is your own insecurity or dissatisfaction with your title thats making you so upset. RN'S and LPN'S are NOT the same. This is not to put the LPNS down but its just to say if you are not content with your station in life, then go back to school and further your education.Otherwise please stop whining and looking for something in some article to complain about. You can teach a monkey to start an IV. There is more to nursing than performing physical tasks.

[SmilingBluEyes]

I mean, i've had people, (and a couple from here, actually) when i've vented about being treated as less than zero because of the title, tell me to go back to school as the answer to others' ignorance, THEN wonder why it offends me. I could get a doctorate, and it still wouldn't change their ignorance or opinion. They'd have to want the change in the first place.

I, myself, am well aware LPN and RN are not the same job (duh). They may have some common ground, but it is not the full parallel, and should never be assumed to even be close.

Although, sometimes the answer the answer stares you right in the face. Someone says "and then some 'smarty' RN comes along and tries to convience them that they need to go back to school" then turns around and says "LPN's do not get the respect they so rightfully deserve".

Gee, WONDER WHY THAT is???

Be respectful, get respect (duh, again).

I am sorry----I must be perceived as ignorant. Because, I don't get why being told to go back to school is so offensive for those who feel they are doing the same thing we are yet lack the pay for such work. They say it all the time here---LPNs do practically EVERYthing RNs do yet lack pay and respect.

I also see ADN's sometimes saying BSN's don't deserve more pay. I am not one of those ADN's, however. To me, more education and more responsibility SHOULD ABSOLUTELY MEAN MORE PAY and RESPECT.

Suggesting one go back to school is not meant as a putdown to LPN's. Or ADN's (I am one). It's meant as a possible solution to the problem as they (Or I may) see it.

Now, as far as "respect" goes, well, good luck. LPN's, get in line with the rest of us nurses. If anyone here got into nursing for the "respect" , he or she is likely to be sorely disappointed at one point or another.

Like you said, even PhD's can lack for it. Just look at the lousy pay and treatment of teachers AND RNs who teach or are professors.....it's not a new thing, and not limited to LPN's or RN's who lack baccalaureate degrees, either.

I do agree on that to get respect, we need to give it, Marie. You are so right there.

[NurseJacqui]

I find it amusing that some LPNS believe that the only difference between them and RNS is the ability to hang blood or start an IV. That being an RN merely involves performing a few extra tasks. There is so much more to it than that. This resentment that LPNS seem to have towards RNS seems like nothing more than jealousy. They want the "respect" that comes along with being an RN(believe me...we dont get it either) but they dont want to do the work that it takes to get there. If you are an LPN and you work to the best of your ability within your scope of practice and you are good at your job, than whats the problem? Get over it

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

Bottom line respect (in a human sense, first and foremost) should never have anything to do with the level of education anyone has received.

I'm not even saying that we do the same work for less pay, i KNOW better than that, because it's not even true. There's a hell of a lot more to the difference than just that.

More education = more pay? Sure, it only makes sense to pay someone more who has more education, but to respect them more than others just because they have that education? No. It's what the person chooses to do with and use that education that deserves, or doesn't deserve respect.

My going back to school for my RN is not going to change someone else's mind about an LPN, was my point. They will always think what they want to, unless they would like to change that.

(On a side note, i'd like to see that monkey start the IV, seriously.)

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

This resentfulness that LPNS seem to have towards RNS seems like nothing more than jealousy.

The resenting is going both ways, apparently. :stone

[SmilingBluEyes]

Bottom line respect (in a human sense, first and foremost) should never have anything to do with the level of education anyone has received.

(On a side note, i'd like to see that monkey start the IV, seriously.)

"Respect" as I mean it, pertains to career, not in the sense of respect for "humanity" and equal rights as human beings.

Profession-wise, more education and responsibility absolutely, without a doubt, should net more respect and pay. Nursing is one of the few true professions where this is not true much of the time. BSN's don't get paid more than ADN's most of the time. And RN's are not always making that much more than LPNs, nor are they much more respected (if at all) by anyone among our ranks or outside them. Just look at how we are the butt of so many media jokes and how quickly we are dismissed by doctors, administrators, patients and the public. Where else but maybe teaching, can someone with a professional degree be treated so disrespectfully and not paid what he/she is educated and skilled to do???!

And yes, I would like to see a monkey start an IV, too, but I get the gist of what the other poster was saying. Nursing is about a HECK of alot more than "technical skill"; any experienced nurse should agree on that.