Attitudes towards LPN's

[emt... rn student]

Hi, I am a nursing student, and after year 1 of my RN, Ive realized I can't afford to finish RN so I'm doing the 2 year LPN course instead. One day I do hope to upgrade but for now it will just be LPN. I've been reading alot of discussions on here and alot of what i read is people (RN's) talking about how bad LPNs are and how unsafe they are. I don't want to end up in a career where I have no respect from my colleagues. I thought we were all nurses, and although RNs do have a greater scope of practice what is the purpose of disrespecting LPNs?

Thanks

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Regrettably this thread only goes to show that its not a just US problem or just a Canadian problem:

- Nurses spend a lot of time eating their own.

- Nurses spend a lot of time looking down at other nurses with different levels of education.

Here in the US it is more than just RN vs LPN, it's also RN vs RN (ADN/BSN), in the past it was almost any nurse vs diploma nurses... Its also BSN vs MSN and now with the doctorate level of training we add a new level of argument....

My experience in the past as a floor nurse: If the unit secretary, the orderly, the CNA, the LPN and/or RN did not show up/did not pull their load my night usually went worse than necessary. Unfortunately when my night went bad I was not the only one suffering.

When we all get along and do our jobs the patient benefits.

I have to agree there. I don't think this rift will ever heal 'globally' between different levels of nurses. There are many that can appreciate the differences, but then, there are some that will always feel that they can do without the other. I guess my attitude is that if we can't come together, then, don't interrupt my groove for making an honest living.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

You know I was really excited to find this forum until I started reading this thread. Granted, not all of you are negative, but some are. Ack, I am done.

Let me just say, at the facility I am at, I train RNs trying to come in on the floor.

I will agree that the biology, A and P, etc are there in the RN's education, and that is great and I have the due respect for them.

But ask me in the hospital if I want a new RN to administer a med or insert a cath, or an experienced LVN, give me the LVN.

We were trained in the skills. That was our focus and most of us are pretty darn good at it. Geez. Arrogance.

I agree with you. I have found that no matter what the education is...may it be LPN or above, the new grad is just that...a new grad that needs experience. And, we can learn from everyone.