Do you say you're a nurse...

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or do you say you're an LPN when talking to people? Is it common to make a distinction? I know I have friends who say "I'm and RN" when people ask what they do for a living, but it is standard to distinguish between the two, or do most people just say "I'm a nurse"?

When I start LPN school in August, will I say "I'm in nursing school" or does that imply I'm in RN school?

Sorry, probably a dumb question but I just wondered what is normal.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I usually make the distinction, as I am not ashamed of the LPN/LVN designation.

Some of my LVN coworkers say, "I'm a nurse." That's very true, because they are nurses. However, most people in society associate being a nurse with the RN designation, so I typically clarify that I'm an LVN.

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Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.

It depends on the setting and who is asking the question. If it's a stranger I will usually just say "nurse". I don't feel like I need to elaborate more than that, because it would confuse most people. Other times I will say "LPN", that's usually to people who ask or to people who have a knowledge of health care professionals.

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Specializes in LTC, Urgent Care.

I usually just say I'm a nurse. I'm not ashamed of being an LPN either, but it does get a bit annoying when someone wants to clarify nurse by RN or LPN

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Specializes in LTC.

I usually just say "I'm a nurse". But, a couple of week ago at work and elderly lady asked me if I was the nurse and I said "yes", and she went on to ask if I was a RN or LPN. I said, "I'm a LPN, but I studied real hard!". She laughed and she has trusted my judgement ever since. I try not to get irritated at people who ask because most don't understand what it takes to be a LPN. Sorry, that floated off subject some. Please refer to the first sentence.:D

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I know LPN's are licensed practical nurses but saying you are "a nurse" seems misleading. Right now I'm in "nursing school" for RN. If I was in LPN school. I would say I am in a "practical nurse school."

There is also "nurse" in certified nurse assistant, but they are still nurse assistants not "nurses".

I think people should refer to themselves with proper titles.

EXAMPLE >>There is an ARNP here where I work and everyone calls her doctor...how annoying.

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Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.
i know lpn's are licensed practical nurses but saying you are "a nurse" seems misleading. right now i'm in "nursing school" for rn. if i was in lpn school. i would say i am in a "practical nurse school."

there is also "nurse" in certified nurse assistant, but they are still nurse assistants not "nurses".

i think people should refer to themselves with proper titles.

example >>there is an arnp here where i work and everyone calls her doctor...how annoying.

then you should say i'm in "registered nurse school". why would it be misleading if an lpn student says "i am in nursing school"? it is infact a nursing school for practical nurses just like your school is for registered nurses.

why are you even using the analogy of "nurse" in certified nurse assistant? lpns had to take the nclex as well and lpns are indeed nurses.

you don't think lpns are nurses?????????

please don't turn this thread to rn vs lpn thing.

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Not trying... just giving an opinion.

Question: Do LPN's take the same exact NCLEX?? I thought it was and LPN NCLEX (can't remember what it's called).

PS> I'm not trying to be smart, I'm trying to learn about LPN's

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I know LPN's are licensed practical nurses but saying you are "a nurse" seems misleading. Right now I'm in "nursing school" for RN. If I was in LPN school. I would say I am in a "practical nurse school."

There is also "nurse" in certified nurse assistant, but they are still nurse assistants not "nurses".

I think people should refer to themselves with proper titles.

EXAMPLE >>There is an ARNP here where I work and everyone calls her doctor...how annoying.

You need to educate yourself. I don't want to be disrespectful, but your statement shows your lack of knowledge.

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Not trying... just giving an opinion.

Question: Do LPN's take the same exact NCLEX?? I thought it was and LPN NCLEX (can't remember what it's called).

PS> I'm trying to be smart, I'm trying to learn about LPN's

The fact that LPN's are nurses is not something subject to your opinion. It is a fact. We are Licensed Practical Nurses. You (if you graduate) will be a Registered Nurse. We do not take the same licensing exam. But we are licensed by the same Board of Nursing.

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Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.
not trying... just giving an opinion.

question: do lpn's take the same exact nclex?? i thought it was and lpn nclex (can't remember what it's called).

ps> i'm trying to be smart, i'm trying to learn about lpn's

it is called nclex-pn for practical/vocational nurses and nclex-rn for you.

i agree with the previous poster about you needing to educate yourself.

lpns are licensed nurse!!!!

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I've been a nurse(an RN) for almost 20 years. LPNs are nurses!!!!! They pretty much do the same thing an RN does. The only difference is an RN went to school longer and has to cover an LPN but that doesn't make them smarter!!!! I've worked with alot of LPN's that would blow most RN's out of the water. And I've noticed over the years that the RNs with the "I'm better because I'm an RN" attitude are new RNs and have yet to learn that they can learn alot from an LPN

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