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.
I'm a RN and I don't mind telling people that since I worked so hard for the title. It's not an elitist thing either...I'm proud to be a RN. Why shouldn't I be?
You should be proud of your accomplishments. Anyone who works in the healthcare field and stays in the healthcare field should be proud. We are on a whole underappreciated. We work holidays, weekends, long shifts, subject to any and all diseases, get verbally abused by patients and doctors, we work our butts off...so we should be proud. But most of all, I am proud of the fact that when I leave work I have taken really good care of my patients, amongst all the craziness, I provided good care. I am proud of that. Any nurse (LPN or RN) who does a good job should be proud...because the fact of the matter is that this is not an easy job for anyone. Physically demanding and mentally challenging it is not for the weak at heart. But I can't imagine doing anything else. Not to mention... how many other jobs are there where you literally never stop gaining knowledge. It's really quite amazing. Think about it...if you took away all of your nursing knowledge how much less you would know....it is truly extraordinary how much nurses need to know... We have every right to be proud!!!!
I'm a RN and I don't mind telling people that since I worked so hard for the title. It's not an elitist thing either...I'm proud to be a RN. Why shouldn't I be?
You should be proud! Most certainly getting your RN is an amazing thing.
This thread is not about downplaying the RN title nor is it about empowering the LPN. To me, this thread is about claiming the title nurse that is legally appointed to both the Practical or Vocational and Registered Nurse. A nurse is a nurse.
On a side note: Some people are happy to be CNAs and that is their career. They are not nurses, but they should be proud to be nurses aides. That is an awesome accomplishment.
Some people are career LPNs and choose not to go forward. They are nurses and should be proud to use the term LPN or nurse at their discretion. Some ADNs are career ADNs and should be able to use the term nurse or RN at their discretion. Some BSNs are career BSNs. Perhaps they started at the Associate level and bridged, maybe they did an accelerated program from an unrelated field, maybe they went directly to a four year school. However it happened, they earned that BSN. They can call themselves RN or BSN interchangeably and the LPN or ADN should not feel compelled to downplay their title because they do not have the four year degree. Whatever our aspirations in life, we should be happy and not have to feel like we are less than because we did not go as far educationally as someone else. Some people are content in their place in life, and that is what is really important. It is all good!
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
I'm a RN and I don't mind telling people that since I worked so hard for the title. It's not an elitist thing either...I'm proud to be a RN. Why shouldn't I be?
There is no reason not to be proud of being an RN. It is very true, you worked hard to earn those two initials behind your name. What we are saying is that we also worked hard at becoming and being LPNs, and we should be proud, also. We earned the right to be called nurses the same as the RNs have, and most of the ones I know are simply saying that we are nurses in our own right.
You should be proud of yourself absolutely but don't down play anybody elses tile in the process it just so happens that you got to your RN a little faster than most people would like to but give credit where credit is due once you had to get something called a LICENSE from the STATE BOARD OF NURSING HELLO that title should be RESPECTED lpn or rn you are a nurse,How would you like it if someone told you RNs dont matter go be a nurse practitioner then what =, there are always higher levels of education in every field some people choose to pursue and some are content with what they are.
You should be proud of yourself absolutely but don't down play anybody elses tile in the process it just so happens that you got to your RN a little faster than most people would like to but give credit where credit is due once you had to get something called a LICENSE from the STATE BOARD OF NURSING HELLO that title should be RESPECTED lpn or rn you are a nurse,How would you like it if someone told you RNs dont matter go be a nurse practitioner then what =, there are always higher levels of education in every field some people choose to pursue and some are content with what they are.
I say I'm a nurse. I took the state boards and as long as that last letter in the title that I have worked so hard to get says "nurse", than that is what I am. When people have a question or need me for something on the floor (be it to speak with a family member of a resident via phone or face to face, or to speak with others involved in the care of a resident) they ask for the nurse, not the registered nurse, not the licensed practical nurse, not the advanced practicing nurse, But the nurse :-)
When I am busy at work handling the same patient load that an RN is and doing basically the same thing that the RN is doing and using critical skills thinking and judgement for the welfare of my patients and I am asked that question- I respond, "I'm a nurse." Because, I am. Making a distinction at that point and at that time is needless and ridiculous to me.I know my boundaries as an LPN and proudly work within them as an LPN on staff. Under normal circumstances, and in a different setting,I do make the distinction and proudly respond with all that I have learned at this point- "I am a Licensed Practical Nurse." i am not ashamed of that title and am not misleading anyone when i respond that I am a nurse. I am presently continuing my education to Registered Nurse. But being an LPN has only made my clinical skills and critical thinking skills that much stronger for my next step in the nursing field as RN.
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.
I had a lot typed here, but I've cleared it all out, because I'd probably get kicked off this forum if I posted it.
I'm a NURSE, but apparently without the RIGHT letters behind my name.
Talk about 'open mouth, insert foot'. I want an apology.
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.
Well, I say I'm in nursing school. Our program was designed for PN exit after 2nd block. In other words...as soon as I finish block 2 I will be doing whatever it is I need to do to get my LPN. HOWEVER, I will continue to be in the program and (hopefully) graduate as an RN while working as an LPN.
...and YES I will consider myself a nurse if I get my LPN (and if I get my RN) as I consider all LPNs nurses. Like other posters have said, I would only specify if asked to.
yikes!!!! it is these "superiority" attitudes that make working conditions between rn and lpn's ugly. we are ALL nurses...Lpn's give nursing care, why are we even questioning whether to call ourselves nurses or not? We are licensed NURSES...NURSES.
Specializes in LTC,OBGYN,MED-SURG,Family Practice,Etc.
I say I am a nurse.I went to liscense practical "nursing" school.I took the NCLEX-PN (practical "nursing")and I have a liscense for a practical "nurse" that is recognized by the State Board Of "Nursing". So I feel like I have every right to say I am a nurse.CNA titles end with "assistant" so there is the difference.And Be proud of what you are you earned it!!.And to the CNA's I am glad you guy's are there when I need help,you are like us you work hard but sometimes do not get the recognition you deserve.The medical field needs all it's members from M.D. to NP to RN's to LPN's to CNA's to MA's and all the others inbetween.
Most certainly getting your RN is an amazing thing.
Nacki, MSN, NP
344 Posts
I'm a RN and I don't mind telling people that since I worked so hard for the title. It's not an elitist thing either...I'm proud to be a RN. Why shouldn't I be?