Do you say you're a nurse...

Nurses LPN/LVN

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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.

Hmm the poster wanted to know what each person called themselves (OPINION).

From the National Council of State Boards of nursing.

To me (opinion), they make a distinction between the two but I can see how the term "nurse" would apply.

See, I learned about LPN's today. :yeah:

https://www.ncsbn.org/nclex.htm

NCLEX Examinations

Under the guidance of its membership, NCSBN has developed two licensure examinations used by its Member Boards to test the entry-level nursing competence of candidates for licensure as registered nurses and as licensed practical/vocational nurses. These examinations, the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN examinations, are administered with the contractual assistance of a national test service. The NCLEX Examinations Department is also responsible for practice analyses necessary to support the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN examination development process. NCSBN has also developed and co-owns the largest competency evaluation program for nurse aides in the United States, known as the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program, the NNAAP.

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hmmm I don't recall saying anyone was smarter than anybody else...

I do recall saying I was trying to learn about LPN's though...

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Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.
hmm the poster wanted to know what each person called themselves (opinion).

from the national council of state boards of nursing.

to me (opinion), they make a distinction between the two but i can see how the term "nurse" would apply.

it is a fact that lpns are nurses not how you would see it "apply".

lpns are nurses period! that's it for me. i am not replying any longer.

whatever!

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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.

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

Hmm the poster wanted to know what each person called themselves (OPINION).

From the National Council of State Boards of nursing.

To me (opinion), they make a distinction between the two but I can see how the term "nurse" would apply.

See, I learned about LPN's today. :yeah:

https://www.ncsbn.org/nclex.htm

NCLEX Examinations

Under the guidance of its membership, NCSBN has developed two licensure examinations used by its Member Boards to test the entry-level nursing competence of candidates for licensure as registered nurses and as licensed practical/vocational nurses. These examinations, the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN examinations, are administered with the contractual assistance of a national test service. The NCLEX Examinations Department is also responsible for practice analyses necessary to support the NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN examination development process. NCSBN has also developed and co-owns the largest competency evaluation program for nurse aides in the United States, known as the National Nurse Aide Assessment Program, the NNAAP.

hmmm I don't recall saying anyone was smarter than anybody else...

I do recall saying I was trying to learn about LPN's though...

Read your own posts. That's all I am going to say

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I call myself a nurse because that is what I am a Licensed Practical Nurse .

Yes the word CNA has nurse in it but what is important is the word that follows it.....ASSISTANT. This means that a CNA assists a nurse not that they are a nurse.

LPN means: LICENSED PRACTICAL NURSE....ok? There is no Assistant after the nurse part nor is there anything else in those three little words that say that I am anything but a NURSE . So I don't get where I am misleading anyone by telling them that I am a nurse.

I have no problem at all telling people that I am an LPN but it really galls me that some people think that the title "nurse" should be reserved for RNs. Well, whatever :rolleyes: that is their problem because as far as my state board of nursing is concerned I am a nurse and I guess at the end of the day that is what really matters.

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Thanks guys, I don't think LPN's aren't nurses at all, I just wondered what what the common response. It makes sense to just say nurse, unless someone would understand or asks for which type of nurse.

What about school? Did you say "nursing school" when you were in LPN school?

I think Dgood is just uneducated about what training other jobs involve: using CNA's and comparing that to LPN's just shows she doesn't understand the process of becoming a CNA vs. LPN. An LPN is someone who's been through 12-18mo of school 5days a week. The RN program I plan on attending after I finish my LPN, is only 3 days a week with a clinical. I expect the RN portion to be "easier" because it will just be two semesters vs. the LPN program which is a solid year.

I think someone here mentioned how LPN's and RN's are like the military equivalent of being enlisted vs. an officer. You wouldn't tell an enlisted troop they were not a soldier, just because they have different responsibilities and roles.

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Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.
I know LPN's are licensed practical nurses but saying you are "a nurse" seems misleading.

So when I go into my patient's room and introduce myself as their nurse, would be misleading my patient? I know the RNs (who we have virtually the same role as) on my unit don't introduce themselves as "hi, I'm your RN today" likewise I wouldn't say "hi, I will be your LPN today". We all refer to ourselves as nurses, because we are! However if our PCT went in and introduced herself as the nurse THAT would be misleading.

Right now you may not understand the differences, but once you are in the real world you will find that in many situations the lines between LPN and RN are very blurred and there is not much separation between the two. I respect the differences and would never mislead someone into thinking I was an RN.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I refer to myself as the nurse. When I walk on a unit a a float I am asked "Are you the nurse up here today?" not "Are you the LPN or RN up here today?" If I am asked I will say I am an LPN.

I went to nursing school. I went to a school whose sole purpose was training nurses. It was quite literally NURSING SCHOOL.

I am in school now for my PA. In May I will be able to sit the NCLEX-RN. I'm taking an unconventional route and 4 extra classes that I don't need for my PA so I can get my RN. I had to get express permission from the department head and I had to test out of two fundamentals classes so I could bridge my LPN without adding an extra year to my deviation. Um....am I in nursing school or PA school?:bugeyes: Doesn't matter. I'm still me. No better or no worse than I was 5 years ago when I was just an undecided college student. :)

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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.

WOW! What ignorant and offensive statements! :banghead:

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Specializes in LTC, Medicare visits.

I prefer " I am THE NURSE " LOL. If strangers ask me I say " I'm a nurse", if they ask what kind I say, " The kind you want in an emergency". I figure after 20+ years, full time in different settings, never been sued or in front of a lawyer or judge for any of my nursing care and action- it says enough. I earned it, taught many new excellent nurses, both LPN and RN'S, even DO students. I have always been respected by my peers and I LOVE what I do and how well I turned out. Have a great day.

P.S. Miami night nurse -well said, did you notice the young student is also in FL? Maybe you'll get to orient them to the REAL world. just a thought.....:redbeathe

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Specializes in LPN.

It depends on who I am talking to, but I tend to specify "LPN" because so many Medical Assistants call themselves "nurses" that the word doesn't mean anything anymore. Although, I did once have a conversation with an MA who seemed to honestly believe she had even more education than I did. :no: Considering that I worked as an MA for 3 years before going to nursing school, I *know* that isn't true! Doctor's often encourage MA's in their offices to call themselves "nurses", so I think that leads to a certain arrogance in these circles.

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Specializes in NICU.

When I was an LPN, I'd introduce myself as a nurse; now I'm an RN and I still introduce myself as a nurse.

I liked the earlier poster who said, "I'm the kind of nurse you want in an emergency." Good answer.

And for the record when I was in nursing school, I'd say I was in nursing school, not "Registered Nursing School."

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