Do you say you're a nurse...

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

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 have read every page of this, and now I think we have all agreed that we want the same thing. So we can sit around this camp fire and let go of all the titles and give ourselves credit for what we all do. WE CARE...in any way we choose and in what ever manner we think we have to, but WE CARE. This in it's own way, makes us nurses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in I think I've done it all.

I think if there were as many LPNs as RNs, or more, there really wouldn't be these issues. I still think it's apples and oranges, different titles, different job descriptions, and we all should be working as a team.

I have noticed in my lengthy career that the RNs who have to lord it over everyone that they are such are the ones that are very insecure about themselves and are not as able on the floors as other RNs, the ones who just jump in and do their jobs as part of the team. The title is a kind of shield to them. This is not said to inflame anyone, it's just my personal observation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, Pulmonary.

I always love it when people say, "Are you a full fledged nurse?", meaning RN. LPN's used to be the CNA, and older people have a problem differentiating. However, this day and age, nurses are nurses. I am proud to be an LPN, I have it on my badge and no one has ever asked me to leave their room in the ER because I am not an RN. My RN's never say that I am just an LPN, and they treat me with the upmost respect as I do them. I do everything they do but push IV meds. I can hang IV's, premixed meds in IV's and piggyback separate packaged antibiotics. I draw blood, put in IV's and NG tubes. I do everything. I know my scope of practice and so do the RN's, if anything if there is something I don't know or can do, they snatch me up and say, "Let me show you how this works because I know you are going to bridge to RN soon." My boss shows no differentiation between the two titles and if she hears someone make a comment she quickly lets them know we are all nurses. When I walk into work everyday my RN always says, "Thank god you are here, we are knee deep in patients and I need help." The quality of work you do and the initiative to learn to improve patient care is all that matters.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PeriOp, ICU, PICU, NICU.

The fact that LPN's are nurses shouldn't even be a question on this board.

I will never forget "Donna" the bright-eyed nurse who took me under her wing and taught me so much in my first few weeks as a nurse (recently). Best nurse I've met to date. She's an LPN, and although I'm an RN and push IV meds for her and hang blood, I could never stand a chance next to her. She's my hero! :redbeathe

To me, titles mean nothing. Both LPN's and RN's are the same in my book-different scopes of practices.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatric.

I have been a LPN for 11 years and have just graduated with RN BSN. I have always considered myself a nurse as a LPN. I work under my license not the RN's the test is different but the expereince with both the PN and RN NCLEX is the same. Somewhat differenet content but the emotions and feelings tied into the test is mind blowing for both sets of nurses. A nursing assistant is not to be confused with LPN's their duties are definitely different as the RN duties are different. Each title buidls on one another. I would never say as an LPN I can do what an RN does because the training is different but when you work on a job for a long period of time you figure out how to do some of the RN required duties just by experience but still you would need the proper training to do such. As a LPN I learned lots of things and deciding to take that route as oppose to just jumping into RN was definitely a good choice in the long run.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg.

I have noticed, for whatever reason, that most LPN's say I'm a nurse and most RN's say I'm an RN. I say be proud of who you are :nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER/Observation,med-surg,geriatrics,.

Here in Florida I took a course and I push Meds [ not narcan/versed/orsome cardiac drugs] and I also transfuse blood products. It always amazes me how different each state is-I can also take out picc and mid-lines. Unfortunatly there is alot of that RN/LPN stigma here but I respect the RN's immensely and I let them know it.:igtsyt:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU, PEDS, M/S, DOU, ICU, REHAB.
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.

Wow.

I am an LPN. I am a nurse, it is a proper title. Because the general population does not usually understand what an LPN/LVN, practical or vocational is, your still a nurse. There is nothing misleading about it.

It's annoying when you have to clarify to people who don't understand the difference.

The difference is 1 yr of school.

In reality, it's not the title that matters. Whether your an RN, LPN or a CNA, it's who you are, what you do and how you care for your patients. If you don't do it well, what's the title worth?

Example: If a patient calls her CNA, "her nurse", she must being doing something right. However, if she told the patient that she was "her nurse", that would be misleading, because she is not "licensed", then there would be legal issues...https://allnurses.com/forums/images/smilies/nurse.gif

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Making the Pt laugh..

How about the patient who says, "Oh you are a male nurse, thats nice". Translated from 1950-70's Australian, "So you are the orderly helping the nurse". No I am a Nurse just like that cute little blond over there....except not cute, not blond, alot older and a lot bigger!

:banghead:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, Acute care.

I am an LPN and work with alot of RN's the only thing I don't do is spike blood. My co-worker's are very supportive of the LPN's they work with, I do not think I have ever had someone say Oh your not an RN.......I am a nurse and that is how I inroduce myself to my pt's, I am also in nursing school but I do not say I am in Registered Nurseing School.......:saint:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment