canadian lpn not a "nurse"?

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Hello all,

let me begin by saying I am in the lpn program and loving it. The other day, I was told by a presently employed lpn that lpns are just NOT nurses. She firmly told me that the world "nurse" was protected by the resgistered nurse and was NOT to be used to describe an lpn. I was really surprised and hurt by this. All that I am putting into this I won't even be recondnized as a "nurse"? If this isn't correct, does anyone have some kind of legal document that I could read that tells me that I will be able to identify myself as a NURSE and not feel like I'm pretending to be someone I am not?

Oh, and I'm in New-Brunswick.

Thanks so much in advance.

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I think that that's an incedible stupid thing to say. I am also going for my RPN (Registered Practical Nurse) which is the same as LPN. As far as I can see, if we are not going to be nurses, then it should be taken out of the title. If you are going to spend money and time to recieve an education in the nursing field, and you recieve your diploma...YOU ARE A NURSE! You just never mind what that person said. Who needs that negativity?

You go Girl!

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Thank you very much for your reply. You gave me that answer I was hoping for. She said that the world "nurse" was protected by law by the registered nurse, so we HAD to go by "practical nurse" and never just "nurse".

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

RPNs are licensed by the College of Nurses in Ontario and are legally entitled to use the title nurse.I would assume it is the same for LPNs.

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As far as I know only reg. psych nurses, registered nurses and lic. practical nurses are the only ones permitted to use the title NURSE. Its a protected title in Alberta as well.

I remember being told in school that it was a protected title for those three designations but that families will use it to describe NA's, PSWs etc. because they see all caregivers as nurses.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

In B.C., as above, the title NURSE is protected. It is illegal for anyone other than a LPN, RN, GN or RPN to use the title. If you check on the BC College of LPN website, there should be a position statement on the use of the title of "nurse"

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on my first day of class, our professor welcomed us as student nurses and told us that we can proudly call ourselves nurses at graduation.

hth!

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It's like they don't have any pride around here The LPNs have been convinced that they are not "nurses". I wish I could have some kind of document I could print and put in my pocket so I could show the next RN or LPN that tries to convince me I'm not a nurse. hmmmmmmmm. :trout:

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It's like they don't have any pride around here The LPNs have been convinced that they are not "nurses". I wish I could have some kind of document I could print and put in my pocket so I could show the next RN or LPN that tries to convince me I'm not a nurse. hmmmmmmmm. :trout:

Just show them your diploma/degree;) I am sure it states "Nurse" on it!

Be very proud.

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:sofahider Please excuse my ignorance and not wishing to offend anyone, but please could someone explain to me what is the difference between LPN/LVN and RN?

Thank you

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LPNs usually attend college for four semesters so the education is shorter and less in depth than that of an RN.

Our eduation includes pharmacology, anatomy & physiology, courses in pediatrics, mental health, community health, geriatrics, and care of child bearing women.

The LPNs actual scope of practice is determined by the employer. I cannot hang or prepare IV meds in active treatment, but in hemodialysis an LPN can prepare and hang their own IV antibiotics. We cannot vaccinate or inject medications in anyone under five years of age (have no idea why the age restriction is in place). On most units that I have worked the IV antibiotics and the start of a blood transfusion are the only things I cannot do. I can set up for blood, monitor during the transfusion and discontinue at the end of the blood, however I cannot start the transfusion and if I observe that the patient is display a reaction I can stop the transfusion and notify an RN.

The difference is about $10/hour.

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

In Ontario it takes 5 semesters to become an RPN and the restrictions are about the same as Fiona stated for LPNs but we can give injections with no age restrictions.RNs are degree only and take 4 years.

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