Do you feel the LVN/Lpn Is being left out in the nursing profession?

Brownms46 · Feb 15, 2002

I haven't been to the this board in several months, but it's like a soap opera! I come back and find the same crap being re-hashed. Geez..this is one of the reason nursing hasn't progressed much. We're too busy fighting among ourselves about who is more inportant, better educated/trained...so what!

If you're an LPN ..wonderful...if you're an RN that's great too. No matter what title you have it doesn't mean a thing if you're so hung up on your title you can't appreaciate someone elses accoomplishments, and contributions to this profession you have chosen. I have had and still have problems dealing with SOME RNs who make statements they shouldn't about LPNs. But I chalk it up to the source now. It took working with a great bunch of RNs and being treated as a professional to realize that ALL do NOT think alike. And THANK GOD they don't! For the last 6 mos. I have been in a dream state working with RN and MDs that valued ability, expeience and knowledge above title.

I've been fortuante to worked in MANY different areas of nursing, and have been asked back or offered a position in many places that were NOT LTC or REHAB. I have worked ICU,CCU,MICU,SICU, TRAUMA ER, NICU(where I started at), OB, Outpt surg, ambu care, etc, etc. ALL of these where travel assignments(except my beginnings in NICU), and I have had RNs, including HEAD NURSES and MDs offer to give me a reference. One MD made a remark that a very nice RN was generous enough to share with me. He said that HE WISHED I could stay there FOREVER as she is soooo on the ball!!! I was the ONLY regulary scheduled LPN on this unit! I was also given a Christmas bonus in the same amount as the other staff members. I could go on and on...but why bother! It won't change the minds of those who feel the way they do about LPN/VNs. SOME people have very closed minds and must belittle others to raise their own self importance.

I have been in this business a long time and have heard this ole arguement over and over again. I can only hope that one day we will be able to see each other for what we each can bring to the healthcare setting. There are MANY out there who realize they are NOT an island, and variety is what nursing is all about.

Thankfully I have had the pleasure of working side by side with them, and I'm the more richer for it.

nur20 · Feb 15, 2002

To my sisters LPN's. I don't usually respond to threads where someone is judging someone else because to me it is silly, childish and a total waste of time. When some people are disatisfied, unhappy or whatever what is left except to rain on someone else's parade. In some twisted way it makes them feel better. You see them scrambling everyday to climb the ladder higher and higher only to be disappointed and continue to complain when they get there.Im my personal opinion these people are fighting a personal battle as to whether they even want to remain a nurse.It is very hard for them to wrap their mind around the idea that anyone could stop their education as an LPN. Well to those i say, if that's what makes me happy, leave me alone and live your own life. Everyone has a scope of practice and if you've done that, your work is done.Don't let anyone rain on your parade.Some people are not satisfied with their personal or professional life or just life in general, so just do what you want to do and ignore the fact that they have a problem with it.Get your feedback from your patients and just know that you are valued and appreciated

Russ Dowling · Feb 15, 2002

What should I do? I'm just a plain, old guy!

nur20 · Feb 15, 2002

I'm sorry Russ, when i say sisters it means everyone that is an LPN. We have a common bond. It was all inclusive

**SKM-NURSIEPOOH, BSN, RN** · Feb 15, 2002

Dear Brownms46 & Nur20,

I just recently joined this BB (2/5/02) & thought this thread was still open for debate... Sorry if I dread-up any sore spots for you, but I needed to vent for I've had no one else with whom I could vent with before stumbling onto this site...:imbar But if this topic has been worn-out, why then is it still opened??? :confused: like myself, I know there's new member joining all the time who might also see this thread & want to participate. Should they too hold their tongue because they may bother or offend any long-time members whose had their say??? If so, then perhaps the senior moderator should close this thread... :rolleyes: In the future, I will observe the orginal post dates in order for this not to repeat...:stone

My apologies...:zzzzz

nur20 · Feb 16, 2002

SKM-NURSIEPOOH, please don't apologize, you have come to the right place to vent, we are here to listen and help where we can. I was just trying to say don't let it bother you when others belittle your position, look down on you or say mean things. We are bigger than that.Keep posting and keep venting

Brownms46 · Feb 16, 2002

SKM-NURSIEPOOH,

YOU have NO need to apologzie for anything at all! My comments were NOT directed at you by any stretch of the imagnation!

I also wondered WHY this thread was stilll open. You have made an excellent point . I posted to this because I was a little awe struck that this topic was still going after such a long time. I just wish that whom ever started the thread would end it. Believe me...I took NO offense at anything you posted.

**SKM-NURSIEPOOH, BSN, RN** · Feb 16, 2002

Dear Brownms46 & Nur20,

Thanks!!! :roll

tigger2sassy · Feb 16, 2002

To all LPNs:

Have been reading this thread, am not surprised by the responses-- have been an LPN for about 18 years and have worked in different states so it has been a variety of experiences

most of the LPNs have become stagnant over the years, there are ways that we can do something about that stagnation.

I recently made a definite decision not to go for my RN after struggling with this for so long-- have decided to be the best little LPN that i can be-- I further my education on my own through books (my husband has a hard time keeping me out of Barnes and Noble) and a lot over the internet-- spend a lot of sleepless nights on the internet because I am not going to remain stagnated-- education is the best way of getting the job done-- some day i will hope to leave a legacy to other nurses with the research and skills that I have learned throughout my career as a nurse-- stand up and be counted-- there is nobody else that can do the job the way we can -- compassion, persistence, and a whole lotta love for your patients can do wonders-- recently joined the NFLPN on the national level-- I will have a voice because i have the determination to care about the nursing profession-- I challenge any LPN to unite and make your voice heard-- get the extra education it will come in handy-- above all, be true to yourself. Take the world as it is, not as it ought to be

night owl · Feb 17, 2002

You're only as professional as you feel. Walk with your head held high because you ARE a major part of the nursing profession, and please don't think anything less. You are a nurse, your license tells you that. You worked hard for it, you earned it and you have the right to be called a nurse. You deserve the respect that goes along with the title, "Nurse." You are NOT just an LPN, you ARE an LPN. You are NOT the best little LPN you can be, you ARE the BEST LPN you can be. A PBN, a professional bedside nurse. You have been educated to function at the bedside of the ill, the injured and the infirmed. Be Proud of that. Don't use belittleing (sp?) words as "little"LPN, or "just" an LPN. We'll NEVER get the respect. Some nurses here have to respect themselves more than what they are saying. Change your thinking process right here and now! And if you come across anyone who refers to you as ANYTHING less, PUT THEM IN THEIR PLACE and let them know that! Tell them, "Excuse me, but I am a nurse, and I do deserve the respect that comes with the title. I save butts, I take care of some butts, I've even smoked some butts (and I don't mean the kind you inhale), but by no means do I kiss butt!"

I once had someone say to me that, "You're just a glorified aid, a professional bedpan slinger." My reply? "Oh you mean a Licensed Practical Nurse. Yes, as a nurse that's one of the tasks that I do well for people who cannot sling their own bedpans. I am proud to do it, and I do it to the best of my ability. I also do a miriad of other things incase you haven't noticed!"...Be Proud of who you are...

Russ Dowling · Feb 18, 2002

Nur20, I was just being impish. I'm

Russ Dowling · Feb 18, 2002

Just joshing, Nur20, I was being impish. I'm VERY proud to be part of the LPN "sisterhood"! I was very lucky when I was working on the floors. I only very rarely experienced the "only an LPN" attitude. Oddly, most of them came from people I worked with, and they were people who I got along with very well!

One was a case manager who I really liked working with; she expressed surprise when she found out that I and one of my co-workers were LPNs. When I asked her why she was surprised, she said, "Because you carry yourselves like RNs." Of course, we IMMEDIATELY asked her what THAT meant. The look on her face was priceless. After much back-pedaling, she apologized, and realized she had unconcious assumptions about LPNs. It didn't change our working relationship, and I still respected her, but it was an opportunity for us to educate her.

People are asking why this thread is still open. In my opinion, it's because the problem still exists. LPNs come in here, perhaps for the first time, and see a place where they are respected, where their opinions have value, and where they can vent. I don't think we should discourage them. No one will support us until we support each other, and I appreciate the mutual support that I see in here. Now, if only we could translate that support into political action!