Are LPN's really nurses in the eyes of RN's

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I am an LPN and would like for all of the RN's to be honest and answer this one question. Do you as RN's really consider an LPN a nurse? Please reply and explain why you answered yes or no. Thanks so much for your opinions.

Specializes in ED, ICU, PSYCH, PP, CEN.

I am an RN who has worked with fabulous LPNs who have taught me a lot. Like another poster said, BSNs look down on ADNs.

The nurse that calls you "play nurse" should be disciplined for creating a hostile work environment for you. She is unprofessional and very out of line.

Specializes in Acute Care Psych, DNP Student.
I am an RN who has worked with fabulous LPNs who have taught me a lot. Like another poster said, BSNs look down on ADNs.

The nurse that calls you "play nurse" should be disciplined for creating a hostile work environment for you. She is unprofessional and very out of line.

I don't think all (or most) BSNs look down on ADNs.

Specializes in Home Health.

Oh My GOSH, YES!!!! LPNs are EQUAL to me in my facility except they cannot do "shift assessments". I have only been a nurse for 2 years and there are LPNs on my floor who know WAY more than I do. I cannot imagine that in some states, LPNs are merely "glorified CNAs" or so I have heard,

Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice.

I'm in LPN school and I work as a nursing assistant. Unfortunately, on my floor, the RN's don't consider the LPN's colleagues, and PN students are basically crap.

Honestly, in a career like nursing I think experience counts for more than education. A LPN with 10 years experience could kick my butt any day. They have seen more, been exposed to more, had more time to sop up information.

Specializes in Peds, OB-GYN, CCU, ER, Corrections.

Excellent point. My clinical coordinator actually said to my face that if I wanted to learn anything I needed to go to RN school. I just got so excited at the sight of a little support. Thanks for checking my stride.

I am an LPN and would like for all of the RN's to be honest and answer this one question. Do you as RN's really consider an LPN a nurse? Please reply and explain why you answered yes or no. Thanks so much for your opinions.

with all due respect, this question is just plain silly.

of course lpn's are nurses.....duh. (again, meant most respectfully).

i'm just trying to make sense of the question.

whether it's an rn or anyone who tries to belittle your role, that type of ignorance conveys more on them, and reflects nothing on you.

no matter where you work in your lifetime, ignorance will always prevail in some.

i know lpn's who i would entrust with my life.

there are rn's who i wouldn't entrust with my pet rock.

it's not about what you are, but rather, who you are.

anyone can be a nurse.

but not everyone can or will possess the unique qualities that separate the horrible vs the avg vs the good vs the best.

and those qualities (only unique to you) transcend all initials, all titles.

always be proud of 'who' you are.

anyone can be the 'what'.

leslie

Specializes in High Risk In Patient OB/GYN.

Sometimes it's the other way around too. In my facility a large number of the RNs and LPNs do not regard the BSNs as "real nurses" because they have no floor experience and only do paperwork.

Thanks everyone for your input. The reason I have asked this question is because i feel very disrespected on a daily basis, because i am not an RN. And to the nurse who replied no one ever offers to do something for her while she is doing pushes or whatever for an LPN, I have to say shame on them. I would have been happy to help you out. I don't believe this is a silly question. I just think its strange all of these nurses are saying of course your a nurse when so often i feel like i have to defend my title. I have always been told i have really good nursing skills, but when i was working at the hospital some of the nurses were not very kind. I have all of my pre-reqs done for the RN program and can not wait to finish school. The only reason i chose to get my RN is because i feel so limited as an LPN and unfortunately disrespected by other nurses. Thanks again for your input and I really do feel like im a nurse when im at work nursing. :thankya:

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I get mixed responses to this. While many may say that LPNs are nurses, actual experience shows that many do not consider us to be nurses. I don't concern myself with what people think of us, but what they are bold enough to SAY. There is an RN I work with that told me she was actually intimidated by me because I am articulate (her words) and asked me "Why don't you go to nursing school?" and I told her "I already did go to nursing school" or another one said "You don't want to be a nurse?" Heck, I already am. I do not have a great deal of experience right now because I have only been a nurse for one year, but, I continue to read, take continuing education classes and am currently working on doing per diem in med-surg and the ER to gain that hands on experience (I currently work in a clinic).

These nurse wars are annoying to say the least. It does not make sense that there are three entry levels to enter into the nursing field and the lines are blurred in terms of responsibilities. I KNOW that I am a NURSE. No one has to tell me this, and I will not apologise for deciding to be an LPN.

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Sometimes it's the other way around too. In my facility a large number of the RNs and LPNs do not regard the BSNs as "real nurses" because they have no floor experience and only do paperwork.

I have heard that a great deal, also.

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