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.
Yes, I say I'm a nurse. Not a 'registered nurse', not a 'practical nurse', not a 'vocational nurse', not a 'BSN' nurse, not a 'MSN' nurse. There's a lot of truth to the old adage, 'experience is the best teacher', and that doesn't come with letters to add after your name. I do understand the problem that nurse practicioners and physician assistants have, and how they must get very tired of explaining their job title. I don't correct patients when they ask to see 'the doctor' that just examined them even if they don't hold a doctorate title. People were becoming doctors way before they all went to a credentialed medical school. Let the patients decide what we are.
As a rather tall male, I often get called 'doc', especially when there is a female physician/PA/NP on the floor; I quickly correct the error and go on my way, with a 'Nope, I'm the nurse, she's the doc' and leave it at that. Never had a problem there. Now, if only we could get the MD/PA/NP's to EXPLAIN TO THE PATIENT WHY THEY ORDER WHAT THEY DO AND WHAT MEDICATIONS THEY ARE GOING TO GIVE, I'd be a happy man. I do get a lot of satisfaction telling them to go back and explain to the patient what they are doing, and not in medicalese. (Ahhhhhh, now getting off my soapbox).
Thanks for the igreat idea of looking at LPN books, I'm sure the concepts are explained much better and without all the fluff.
...Are you trying to say they're dumbed down?
I am an Licensed Practical Nurse,I usually just refer to myself as nurse, but will clarify when prompted further. I have been a Hospital nurse up until recently. I work side by side with RN's. I understand the difference in roles, but there was only a handful of skills that the unit RN's could perform that I could not.
No, I don't remember ANYONE in my LPN class ever saying, "I'm in LPN school." And when I get into the LPN-RN bridge... I'm not gonna say, "Oh, I'm in Registered Nursing School!" I will probably say, however, "I'm in the LPN-RN bridge program" or simply, "nursing school"
However, while doing clinicals, a moment stands out in my mind, even today. Our class was in the lounge of unit we were on, when a Staff nurse came in. She revelled us with her memories of Nursing school, and was giving us all little helpful tips, when suddenly she got a confused look on her face. She leaned in to look at my badge that read : "SPN" and she rolled her eyes and started to walk away saying, "Oh well, you're only LPN students." she never spoke to us after that.
On the flip side, today I was taken aback by a new CNA working on my subacute unit. He was going on about how he is in PCT school. Someone asked what that entailed, and he replied, "Oh I'll pretty much be an LPN" :uhoh21: I just walked away.
And as for the "not too tired from the previous shift of mandated overtime" aspect, I haven't worked in a hospital, or nursing home for that matter, that had MANDATED overtime. I am called and asked if I want to work extra, but by no means is my nurse manager at my door dragging me, kicking and screaming, to the unit to work some mandated overtime.
Mandatory OT happens when there is no nurse to replace you at the end of your shift. Unless you have childcare issues that cannot be solved you are expected to stay and work.
It's becoming the norm in hospitals and care facilities in my area.
I say I am a nurse, unless I am with other medical professionals and here is an example why. The day I passed my boards I told my cousin I was officially an LPN and she said congrats, what is that, is that better than an RN?
When I was going to school to achieve my RN, I thought nursing school was extremely grueling. Now that I am an instructor for an LPN program, I am amazed how the students are able to absorb and implement so much information in such a short period of time (10 months). The content is much the same, our students are required to do care plans for every patient, and follow the same strict rules/regulations as RN's.
My colleagues and I often use an NCLEX-PN book when creating tests. My colleagues and I have a wide range of backgrounds; many worked as an LPN for years before obtaining their RN, others have their Associates, Bachelors, Masters and two have their Doctorate's. I will honestly say, there are times we cannot answer some of the questions from the book.
I am proud to be an instructor at an LPN school. And even prouder of the students.
I was once a CNA and now an LPN. I was taught in CNA class that the word "nursing" in Certified Nursing Assistant implies you are assisting the Nurse whether they be RN or LPN.
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
LPN/LVN take NCLEX LPN. The test content is differant I am sure but we still take the board exam so that we can be licensed in the USA. When I received my passing score on my NCLEX I received a license of Practical Nursing from the state of Georgia. I am a NURSE just the same as an RN is a NURSE just as MSN is a NURSE. I worked very hard to become an LPN as one of the instructors in y program of study said it best LPN students learn in 18 months whata RN students gets over four years. No I am not saying that we have all the leadership and management courses that a RN has but we are very well educated. The emphasis on LPN programs are your clinical/technical training. Many times the LPN will be agood resource for you when you finish RN school and go to work on the nursing floor in a hospital.
So when someone ask me what do I do for a living I say I am a nurse, and that is the truth of the matter.
I am also studying for my RN license simply because I do the same job in my hospital as an RN so that I can get e better salary doing the same job I am doing now, taking great care of my patients.
I say that I am "a nurse". if asked to specify, then i will. I was previously a medical assistant in a physicians office. Even though the doctors refered to us as their nurses, we could not call ourselves nurses. it is against the law. you must hold a valid NURSING license to refer to yourself as a nurse whether it is a LPN or RN. one thing that i did learn in nursing school that is very true is that "nurses eat their young" older nurses really will put you thru the paces and you have to earn their respect. sad but true.
Most people that are not in the medical field have no idea what the difference between an LPN and an RN is. I usually say "I'm a nurse" because I am. I am accountable to my board of nursing for everything that falls under my scope of practice. What I find disturbing is when non-licensed personnel who are not accountable to a state board, say they are nurses. I know that they are mostly just trying to alleviate the patients fears, but this is one of many reasons why responsible employers are starting to request that the actual nurses wear white-to make a distinction. Many other employers are just trying to save a buck by using unlicensed personnel and trying to give the impression that they have adequate nursing staff. There is a place for ALL the different disciplines, but employers should have greater accountability to provide adequate care, and that means having enough licensed personnel.
I asked the same question at one point. I was unsure and felt I was misleading ppl when saying a "nurse". However, I have been working as an LPN since Nov and now I say, "I am a nurse, when asked". If they ask specifics I will tell them LPN. I am proud of it. I work with several RN and am not treated any different than them.
DONERRN
2 Posts
Yes, I say I'm a nurse. Not a 'registered nurse', not a 'practical nurse', not a 'vocational nurse', not a 'BSN' nurse, not a 'MSN' nurse. There's a lot of truth to the old adage, 'experience is the best teacher', and that doesn't come with letters to add after your name. I do understand the problem that nurse practicioners and physician assistants have, and how they must get very tired of explaining their job title. I don't correct patients when they ask to see 'the doctor' that just examined them even if they don't hold a doctorate title. People were becoming doctors way before they all went to a credentialed medical school. Let the patients decide what we are.
As a rather tall male, I often get called 'doc', especially when there is a female physician/PA/NP on the floor; I quickly correct the error and go on my way, with a 'Nope, I'm the nurse, she's the doc' and leave it at that. Never had a problem there. Now, if only we could get the MD/PA/NP's to EXPLAIN TO THE PATIENT WHY THEY ORDER WHAT THEY DO AND WHAT MEDICATIONS THEY ARE GOING TO GIVE, I'd be a happy man. I do get a lot of satisfaction telling them to go back and explain to the patient what they are doing, and not in medicalese. (Ahhhhhh, now getting off my soapbox).