Family Members

Coloradogrl · Dec 31, 2006

I am really sorry that happen. I am in LPN school right now & I am already getting some "flack" for not really wanting to be a NURSE! It really kills me that this happens. Maybe the daughter should bring her a** down there take her mother home & care for her so she isnt in the "bad company" of all the LPN's running around!

jamangel · Dec 31, 2006

Ignorance is bliss? I work at several hospitals and facilities in my area and only one of the hospitals, the detox center and the correctional facility list my title as nurse or staff nurse on my badge.

Trauma Columnist · Dec 31, 2006

Ya know, I'm an APN and had the same thing happen to me the other day. Wife of one of my patient actually called me the b-word! Talked to me like I was some piece of dirt - I've never even spoken to this person before...this was all due to something which I wasn't even involved in!

I'm just about done with families too!

The Limey · Dec 31, 2006

I'm sure her goal of the day wasn't to deliberately anger you. Remember that disease affects family members as well as the patients, and it's our jobs as nurses to also care for them; a patient's illness is always harder on the family members than it is on the nurse caring for the patient.

I guess what I'm trying to say is: Forgive and forget.

jimthorp · Dec 31, 2006

That was probably the worse a family member has ever made me feel.

It will probaly we worse at some point in your career.

I would have responded by giving her my name and title then asking if there were any specific questions regarding the care of her mother she would like me to answer and leave it at that.

jschut, BSN, RN · Dec 31, 2006

I am currently a LPN and have been asked if I'm allowed to give shots! LOL!

Whatever.

My own Mom had asked me when I was in college, "When I was going to be a nurse?"

When I replied that I was a nurse already, she would say, "Well you know what I mean."

It happens, and yes, it gets worse.

LPN's are nurses, and in my book, some I have worked with are more qualified than some RN's I have worked with! LOL!

Just hang in there and let it go, there are worse things to worry about.

babynurselsa, RN · Dec 31, 2006

First word of advice. I personally make it a rule to NEVER let a patient hand me the phone to talk to a family member. If they are on the phone then they can do their own talking. Now if the family member is at bedside I will speak with them and offer explanations.

In either event I would have very quickly informed the family member past stating my level of licensure. " This conversation is irrelevevant to your family members care. If you have any questions regarding your family member I will be happy to try and answer them. Otherwise I have patient care to provide."Don't let them get you down.

Good luck

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jan 1, 2007

People are ignorant...they assume that the LPN is working with a limited knowledge base and because of the advertisements of "Get a REAL nurse", the thought of the LPN is perceived as being 'less than nurses'. It is not about the title, but the action of the person. I have seen RNs do less care than I have, and I have only been a nurse since June, 2006. One time, I saw a BSN do something really stupid, and had to go to sort of cover her dumb action and when I introduced myself to the client as an LPN, she was totally shocked.

I can really go into the rants and raves, because it is a personal peeve with me, as well. I didn't (and still don't) want to become an RN. For me, it is too much responsibility, and on a personal level, it is not worth the headache to me. The RN is human as well, and too much emphasis is placed on that two letter title, and I can imagine how stressful it can be for the RN, especially if she is new into the field. I have had many people ask me when I was going to become a nurse and it infuriates me to no end. I am where I want to be and I don't let my LPN title define who I am...I try my best and allow my actions to do it for me.

vonxojn · Jan 2, 2007

Thanks to eveyone that replied to my post. I was so upset and felt degraded that night. I haven't even told my husband or my friends about the comment. I didn't want them to feel sorry for me when the lady (and I use the word sparingly) making the comment. It felt good to just get it off my chest. Thanks everyone. Next time I'll let them know my name and title, NOT my business.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jan 4, 2007

My job at the hospital has a library that is giving away old nursing books from the 80's and I picked up a book on nursing history. It mentioned that the RNs felt that they worked really hard for 4-5 years to earn 'the cap' and to wear white and felt disrespected that a person can enter into the field for a few months of training and that there was no difference in appearance between the two. At the time, these practical nurses were a bit more 'floor ready' and there was resentment for that as well.

From a personal standpoint, I am glad that more people were able to enter the field, even with a bit less education. Nursing, period; can be a rewarding experience, and while I can certainly understand that the RNs may want to differentiate themselves from us, I would not let anyone tell me that I am not a nurse, because I am. Less skills, maybe, less theory, sure...but, NURSE, I am.

MsLady06 · Jan 4, 2007

I'm sure her goal of the day wasn't to deliberately anger you. Remember that disease affects family members as well as the patients, and it's our jobs as nurses to also care for them; a patient's illness is always harder on the family members than it is on the nurse caring for the patient.
I guess what I'm trying to say is: Forgive and forget.

I agree. You cant take what people do and say to you personal.