Do you find that you get more support from other nurses than your own friends/family?

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

I just graduated and the LPN program and am so thrilled and happy. I don't think anyone understands the severity of nursing school unless they're also a nurse. I noticed that the majority of people who have been happy for me (with their congratulatory comments) have been nurses, half are some whom I don't know, never met (people on here who have been great), and just nurses. I was at the bank the other day and was having small talk with a stranger - she happened to be a nurse and when I shared that I had just finished the program, she was very happy and so sweet. There are family members and friends who've known I've been in hibernation for 2 years and when they found out, they didn't say anything about it. For the record, I'm definitely NOT expecting to be the center of attention with this. I'm a private person... I rarely go social networks (i just had to post up some pics of the pinning for family members to see). I'm not expecting the whole world to drop to their knees about this (or maybe they think it's "just" an lpn program, so "no big deal") but I have to be honest: it's a bit disappointing that there's not even a simple "congrats", especially knowing what I've been through. I don't want gifts or praise but a simple acknowledgement that hell is over...for now :)

I had an instructor who said, "the people who will understand you most in your career are your fellow classmates. You will always have this bond for the rest of your career, past graduation. People who aren't nurses will never understand." I think this is true.... do you find this to be true also?

Thank you :) I'm learning that it's the nurses that really understand how "big" this is for me. In my culture, LPNs are somewhat looked down upon because it's not an "RN" and most people in my culture have graduated from an RN or BSN. It's been nice though seeing old classmates from pre-reqs and friends from other nursing programs be so nice. I know this isn't over and like many of you - would LOVE to take the lpn-rn-bsn path (please God).

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Specializes in Adult/Ped Emergency and Trauma.

You're in the right place! I have met some really awesome nurses on Allnurses that have forgotten more than I know about the Nursing Profession from any issue you have at work, to any current issues going on right now.

YES! I feel only a nurse can really understand what another nurse is feeling. I feel like nursing changes you to the bone. I think we deal with our problems differently, and only when we have made sure no one else needs our help with their problem (probably why we are seeing our co-workers get jaded and burn-out).

That said, I have laughed, teared-up, gotten angry, and learned complex formerly unknown information all within an hour on here. So when you can't grab a nurse's ear "out there," there is always a group just waiting to attack away at helping anyway they can. So, I hope you do warm-up to the idea of social networking at least on here, you won't regret it!

As to your Graduation, . . .CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! :yeah:You are a "NURSE!" The only "Just" you are is Just Awesome!!!!

You just completed something that many who want to finish, shy away, or are unsuccessful. Welcome to the one of the best, and one of the oldest professions in the world. If you ever need support, encouragement, or just an ear to share a part of your journey, -or- you want to complain- we will be here waiting. But until then, again, CONGRATS!!! and Good Luck!!!!!!!!

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Specializes in Rehab, critical care.

Congrats on graduating! That is a huge accomplishment, and not everyone makes it, or has the guts to be a nurse. A nurse is a nurse, whether LPN or RN. Title doesn't matter. I've seen LPN's that could walk circles around some RN's. It's a tough, but rewarding job :). I'm sorry that not more of your friends and family are congratulating you on your accomplishment. You are right, though....only other nurses truly understand what it's like to be a nurse.

While my family knew that nurses have stressful jobs even before I started school, i.e, my dad saying, "Nursing is a stressful job. Are you sure you want to do that?" lol. So, family and friends are clueless as to the level of responsibility and all that we do, but do realize nursing is stressful for the most part (just the other day, my mother-in-law was impressed that nurses did blood transfusions). She said, "Wow, that's huge," but that's not really a big deal to nurses. They don't realize that oftentimes we are the ones that get things ordered for the patient (or it wouldn't get done since the physician is clueless as to the status of the patient unless we call them with a change or need). Not saying physicians don't have a huge responsibility, they do, but just saying that we do, as well.

So, yes, you'll have that special bond with your co-workers. Family members (especially those who are not in healthcare) will not really know what it's like having frequent flyers or every 20 min-1 hour blood sugar checks for that DKA patient who is almost always MRSA positive lol, or what it's like to tell a family just shortly after their daddy's admitted and meeting them for the first time that they will have to make some tough decisions since daddy won't make it off that ventilator.

Best of luck to you! You'll be so excited to start your first nursing job, an exciting time! CONGRATS! :)

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I have noted over the years that a lot of nurses are married to police officers which makes me think that one of the major things they have in common is dealing with the public in not-to-be-spoken-of situations. Nurses are my best friends

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You're in the right place! I have met some really awesome nurses on Allnurses that have forgotten more than I know about the Nursing Profession from any issue you have at work, to any current issues going on right now.

YES! I feel only a nurse can really understand what another nurse is feeling. I feel like nursing changes you to the bone. I think we deal with our problems differently, and only when we have made sure no one else needs our help with their problem (probably why we are seeing our co-workers get jaded and burn-out).

That said, I have laughed, teared-up, gotten angry, and learned complex formerly unknown information all within an hour on here. So when you can't grab a nurse's ear "out there," there is always a group just waiting to attack away at helping anyway they can. So, I hope you do warm-up to the idea of social networking at least on here, you won't regret it!

As to your Graduation, . . .CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! :yeah:You are a "NURSE!" The only "Just" you are is Just Awesome!!!!

You just completed something that many who want to finish, shy away, or are unsuccessful. Welcome to the one of the best, and one of the oldest professions in the world. If you ever need support, encouragement, or just an ear to share a part of your journey, -or- you want to complain- we will be here waiting. But until then, again, CONGRATS!!! and Good Luck!!!!!!!!

Thank you! You have always been so encouraging and sweet on my posts. I'm grateful for that. Let's see if I can find a job now! Most LPN positions here in the area require "1 year experience", which sucks. Not sure if I should apply. I volunteered at a well known hospital (in the area) for years and have been CNA for years so not sure if that counts for anything. The LPN-RN bridge programs also require 1 year of experience as well. *sigh*

I think this pinning ceremony has been so significant to me because I've been trying to get into any nursing school FOR YEARS and been rejected so many times, year after year. Also, just this past year I was harassed at my preceptorship and gave me a glimpse into the real world and found out more about me... I never knew I had that much strength and low tolerance for BS. No disrespect to the male nurses but I also faced discrimination for being a woman. Most nurses at my preceptorship are males from other countries who did not like self respecting, confident ladies... I got so much crap from them. It was nice to have many of the females in management and even clinical instructors reassure me that I did nothing wrong. They say, "you know you're doing a good job when people are not happy about it." My journey as a nurse is just starting :)

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

Welcome to Allnurses, and welcome to the wild, wacky, and wonderful world of Nursing!!! :yeah:

Here is where you'll find support of all kinds. We're the ones who can commiserate when you just got through the Shift from Hell, who understand the dismay of taking home half a syringe of Dilaudid in their scrub pockets, who can have a perfectly normal discussion about trach suctioning while eating supper........and yep, who have the best collection of poop stories on the planet. :rotfl:

I hope your association with us will be a long and mutually satisfying one. Congratulations on your achievements, and enjoy!!

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Specializes in none.

Mazel tov! You made it now for the bad news. No one can understand a nurse except another nurse. No non nurse can understand what we do. What is important to us is not important to a plumber and they opposite is true. Don't look for congrats from your family non nursing friends. You won't get it. BUT when they are in trouble, you will be the first they will call and you better know everything about everything. If you don't, then you are just a dumb LPN, or RN, or NP. Nurses can understand other nurses. That is the reason for this board. So welcome, Fun Seeker and fasten your seat belt your in for a bumpy, fun ride.

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Specializes in Peds Homecare.

:yelclap: Welcome , and :yeah:congrats! I'm proud of you! LPN school was one of the hardest things I ever did. The day I graduated, I smiled the whole day! I'm sure you are smiling too!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Welcome to the crazy world of nursing. No one can really understand what we experience is another nurse.

No one else can really understand that the patient who urinated in his water pitcher, drank it to take his meds, claimed the water was spoiled and the shock of the nurse who went to get him fresh water realizing that the patient drank his own urine and the hysterical laughter from her co-workers.....but another nurse!

Congratulations! on your graduation.:cheers:

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Meh. I didn't even attend my own graduation ceremony. I remember being embarrassed when people would compliment me on getting a HS diploma. Maybe some of your family members just aren't the type to make a big fuss over academic achievements. Would they have reacted differently if you finished business school?

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Specializes in Adult/Ped Emergency and Trauma.

Hey, My first job wanted 2 years of experience. Yeah, I managed to worm into a Medical-Surgical internship at the hospital for new grads to fill the Job, but I applied to everything! I almost took a job at our University Medical Center as a clinic nurse in Pediatrics making just $13.50 an hour (w/benefits), until I got to squirm into that Acute Care position.

Lol, You will eventually find your niche. I honest to God can't believe I ended up in ED, Never even thought about ER, got pulled there, and fell in love. (I always joke one of them bit me on the neck)-because I am nocturnal now too, and sunlight is overwhelming sometimes, lol. I recommending reading a good nursing novel that your in the "Ranks" now. Echo Heron is awsome, and so are all the "Your First Year in Nursing," just to really "FEEL" it.

Congrats again, Your gonna love it. Just find what fits for you, and the rest will be EPIC!

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Specializes in HH, Peds, Rehab, Clinical.

Oh yeah!!! This summer my Dad had his carotid artery "roto-rootered" (his phrasing, LOL) and that evening I drove up to the hospital where he had it done to visit. His nurse was in and out, sweet as could be, my Dad just loved her. My Mom stepped out to get a new water or something and pretty soon she and his nurse came back in together. My sister and I were standing beside each other and the RN looked our way and said "which one of you just passed your NCLEX?" My sister looked at me and took a big step to the right while pointing and saying "her!". The RN rushed right over, gave me a HUGE hug and went on and on about what an accomplishment it was, how everyone I know must be so proud of me, welcome to the ranks, etc. OMG, she almost made me cry so was so sweet!! She, like me, got her degree a little later in life so she could REALLY relate to what it took to get to that point.

Turns out my Mom had bragged me up a little when she was in the hall, which is totally not her style AT ALL!!!

Awww, I get a little misty-eyed just thinking about that hug.....

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