Celebrate Our LPN/LVNs October 7-13, 2018

October 7 - 13 is LPN/LVN week and we are here to celebrate you and the essential role you play in our healthcare system. Nurses Announcements Archive

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Licensed Practical Nurses across the country are commemorated during the month of October. If you work with an LPN, make sure to recognize them with a banner, food and gifts during the week of October 7 to 13th. Let them know how much we appreciate them and all the hard work that they do.

LPNs supervise unlicensed assistant personnel, provide direct patient care, and education. Working under the supervision of a doctor or RN, LPNs can also insert catheters and IVs. Over the years, LPNs have been able to work in a variety of settings. They work in doctors offices, hospitals, nursing homes, and long-term care facilities (National LPN/LVN, 2015). We celebrate their dedication and hard work over the weekends, holidays and nights.

Americans are living longer which increases the need for long-term care. The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics tell us that the need for LPNs will expand by 25% during the years of 2012 and 2022 (National LPN/LVN, 2015). The evolution of the LPN is an interesting story and often unacknowledged.

Originally, the nurses would work in family homes taking care of sick people and also doing housework and watching children. That was in the 1800s, and in 1897, in New York City, a school named Ballard School began giving classes to these healthcare workers (History of LPN, 2014). Disease was widespread in the city, so the practical nurses went into the slums to educate and treat the people hands on. This is the essence of community health care. They realized that better sanitation was the key to improving New York's life from the inside out according to the article, History of LPN Field (2014). Eventually, in 1914, Mississippi was the only state that passed laws regarding LPNs.

Then in 1917, the National League of Nursing Education started the process of establishing standards for the practical nurse. When World War I rocked the United States, nurses were needed, however, after the war, many didn't return to the field due to the trauma that they had endured during the war. This added to the nursing shortage throughout the United States (History of LPN, 2014). History of LPN Field (2014) tells us that during the period of 1920 to 1940, most LPNs were found in the public health field. But then World War II came and once again the number of LPNs grew tremendously. At this point, they worked mostly in the hospital. By 1952, the nursing field was 60% LPNs, and licensure became required.

During the 1980s, the different levels of the nurse role went through professional scrutiny and as a result, many LPN roles transitioned from the hospital back into the community. Presently, LPNs practice in all roles across the healthcare spectrum (History of LPN, 2014). LPNs have had a varied past of experience and service. This week is your opportunity to be acknowledged for all of the hard work that you do.

My husband is an LPN and has been one for many years, so I realize what you go through. Long-term caretakers have a special heart that endures long shifts with aching backs. The care you give makes the patient's life better, and we thank you for that. Healthcare wouldn't be the same without you!

Are you an LPN? Tell us about your journey, where you work and what you value. Also, celebrate each other as we recognize you!

References: History of LPN Field. (2014).

LPNJobsHelp.comNational LPN/LVN Recognition week/ Dorsey Schools. (2015). Dorsey Campuses (Michigan Events).

BSNbeauty, BSN, RN

1,939 Posts

Great article! I was a LPN for years before becomi f a RN. I have much respect for LPNs. Being LPN first helped me tremendously in my nursing career.

SmilingBluEyes

20,964 Posts

Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

LOVE LPN/LVNS. Learned so much from them through the years. Our under-appreciated heroes do deserve this day of recognition.

marable

36 Posts

I was an LPN for 15 years prior to becoming an RN....Love LPN's....

rayshettabrown

45 Posts

Specializes in clinical setting,MS,ER,Short Stay.

I have been a LPN since 2009,work for Kaiser Permanente since 1994. It was a pleasant experience while as a Medical Assistant.

since being a LPN Kaiser has on numerous occasions tried to get rid of LPNs or convert our positions to Medical Assistant. Decided to go back to school to better myself and become a RN. I have learned a lot as an LPN. Currently work in Oncology and has been a great experience. I'm ready to move on. Been with the company almost 25 yrs and will leave rather than to be converted to an Medical Assistant and less pay.

midlife_nurse

37 Posts

Specializes in OR scrub/circulator, hospice crisis care.

I'm a ten-year LPN, with six years in my current job. I learn something new every day- today I learned that there's an LPN week!

Fiona59

8,343 Posts

Here in Canada, it's Nurse's Week in May. We are all nurses.

Specializes in Med/Surg,Geriatrics, Pediatrics, and Family Med..

I've been an LPN for 13 years and have never heard of this separate LPN week. I feel indifferent about it as it may facilitate the belief that we are not real nurses, but I appreciate the appreciation week.And I don't mind sharing,lol. No LPN here in the US that I know has any knowledge about this celebration. Have I been missing out all this time?

rayshettabrown

45 Posts

Specializes in clinical setting,MS,ER,Short Stay.

Awesome..

Specializes in wound care/rehabilitative care.

I am an LPN, a second career after many years in the medical field in various roles from front desk registration to patient education. I love being an LPN. I have learned so much in just my first year as a nurse, and only wish I had pursued a nursing career, well, a couple of decades ago. But facing forward, I've met so many young nursing students, and i make sure i encourage each one of them. They are the future!!!!

I am blessed to be in a hospital that appreciates and hires LPN's. Thank you for this article.

rayshettabrown

45 Posts

Specializes in clinical setting,MS,ER,Short Stay.

That's wonderful that you work a job that needs and appreciate LPNs.. I wish I could say the same.

Gastrointestinal Columnist

Brenda F. Johnson, MSN

61 Articles; 326 Posts

Specializes in Gastrointestinal Nursing.
I've been an LPN for 13 years and have never heard of this separate LPN week. I feel indifferent about it as it may facilitate the belief that we are not real nurses, but I appreciate the appreciation week.And I don't mind sharing,lol. No LPN here in the US that I know has any knowledge about this celebration. Have I been missing out all this time?

My husband is an LPN and had no idea that there was an LPN week.

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