A LPN said too me...

Scarlette · Nov 17, 2001

Well said!

I'm a new grad and started a new job as an RN on a med/surg floor. I'm recently off orientation and when I went to my shift I told one of my co-workers "I hope you don't mind if I ask ALOT of questions" then explained my situation. She said "Ask any questions you want, but I'm not sure you'll want to ask me because I'm just an LPN." I said "What? Umm....you have tons of experience and just because it's says RN after my name and LPN after yours doesn't mean I know more than you. I value any answers you give me!! Please don't say you're JUST an LPN." She smiled and thanked me and I thanked her for allowing me to come to her with questions.

dawngloves, BSN, RN · Nov 17, 2001

I say this time and time again, I love working with LPNs! Most of them have been around for years and know more then me. I wonder why they don't go and become an RN. It's only one year.

To bad they are few and far between now.

RRMLPN · Nov 17, 2001

Just wanted to say Thank you to all of you . It's RN's such as yourself that us LPN's depend on for support . :)

mcl4 · Nov 17, 2001

Originally posted by dawngloves
I say this time and time again, I love working with LPNs! Most of them have been around for years and know more then me. I wonder why they don't go and become an RN. It's only one year.
To bad they are few and far between now.

I am happy to see the high praise of LPNs. I've returned to school to attain my RN after being a LPN for twenty-two years.

At one time, a LPN completed their studies in a year. Today, this has changed and it is almost two years in my state. Part of me agrees with your statement that the two licenses are so close to the amount of time required in school to attain them, that it seems like a better route to go to study for your associate nursing degree instead of a practical nursing diploma.

We have several new nurses on the floor and I've been happy to answer their questions. I also am happy to feel like part of a team and my years in nursing are respected by my coworkers.

I also have a great deal of respect for the staff I work with. They are a greatest group of nurses I've worked with throughout the years I've been a nursing assistant and LPN.

LynniNurse · Nov 17, 2001

The reason you hear "I'm just an LPN" is because that is how most RNs refer to LPNs. I've seen way too many RNs look down on LPNs regardless of the skills. Many BSN RNs come out of school thinking they know it all, but in actuality they don't even know how to administer meds to a PEG. Then it's usually the RNs that are in charge, the management people, they love the LPNs when it comes to budgets because the LPNs make so much less for doing the same job. But at the first given opportunity, the LPNs are put down for not being an RN. In light of the nursing shortage, I think the LPNs should be allowed to challenge the RN NCLEX. I think everyone would be surprised at how many LPNs would automatically be an RN!

ERNurse752, RN · Nov 18, 2001

I've never worked on a unit that utilizes LPNs, but I remember the LPN's in my Oncology clinical...they were the ones who took the time to answer my questions and teach me. :)