Having Trouble telling people I'm an LPN

Nurses General Nursing

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so i'm an lpn. when people ask me what i do, i say i'm a nurse to avoid having to give a long explanation! then they ask me what i'm going to school for and i say nursing, so they're like huh??:confused: so then i really have to explain what i do, i try my hardest to but people still dont understand what lpn's are :smackingf. most people have a notion that lpn's: dont give meds, are not ''certified'', cant give injections, the list goes on. and then people really dont think i'm a real nurse because of 1)my age, then 2)the fact that i became a nurse through my hs. my question is how can i explain to people what lpn's are while showing them that yes, we are ''real'' nurses!!???:uhoh3:

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I wouldn't have an issue saying that I am a nurse, and that is it. Of course, you have those who will continue with "Well, are you an LPN or a 'real nurse' " and for them, I say that we are BOTH nurses.

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Specializes in Licensed Practical Nurse.

"I'm an LPN and am in school to become an RN" will probably elicit about a thousand questions more than you feel like answering ;)

Yes it does, Believe me I've said everything you guys suggested, I guess some people are so confused about the differences of RNs and LPNs they just keep asking me what the differnces are! I have a friend who doesnt even know what RN means, LOL!! huh!

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When they question you about your age just tell them you're a fast learner. If I were being taken care of by a 19 year old LPN I'd just think they were super smart to get their education done so early. I'm about to finish my pre-reqs and apply to nursing school. I'm crazy nervous about it and the fact that you have done so well gives me faith it's possible to thrive.

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Specializes in Licensed Practical Nurse.

i would just say "i'm a nurse. i'm going to school to get a higher nursing degree." you don't have to go into the lpn/rn explanation if you don't want to. or be blunt, like suesquatch stated. you're really saying the same thing. or to make the explanation simple, just say that rns have more education than lpns, but both do most of the same duties and leave it at that.

none of this will be a problem anymore once you become an rn.

gracias!!! i will use this ''i'm going to get a higher nursing degree'' perfect, thanks, too bad couldnt figure this one out!!:idea:

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Specializes in Licensed Practical Nurse.

thanks everyone!! happy holidays!:icon_cool:

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Why go through all of this?

"I'm an LPN. I'm going to school to become an RN."

Perfect answer. Don't be ashamed of yourself. Stand proud!

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Specializes in Addiction & Recovery, Community Health.

See...Even the RN's are showing respect for your LPN. That speaks volumes.

Like I said..I'm just starting nursing school for LPN and may never make RN, although I will try. But at my age I have kids and big financial responsibilities so I really admire you. So do these other nurses.

Stick with these boards too. Everyone here is very supportive and will answer your questions.

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Specializes in ICU, M/S,Nurse Supervisor, CNS.

I know exactly what the OP is going through because I've experienced the same thing. I went to a vo-tech high school studied practical nursing. Upon graduation, at age 17, I took my boards and became an LPN and went right back to school for my RN. I was asked these same questions about what an LPN is and how it differs from an RN also. I never became frustrated because I was proud of my profession and always willing to educate someone else on the LPN role. I just explained it very basically and simplistically without down playing either nurses' roles. I enjoyed answering these questions and usually the person I was speaking with appreciated the new info.

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Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.

i feel you. i am still an lpn student and man there has yet to be

a first person to tell me "wow great you're going to be an lpn."

i always feel the need to explain to people that i am going for the rn as well afterwards.

i had a thread here as well about this and got some good advices but "they" still get to me sometimes.

most of the time it is my relatives/family friends who are the worst, specially most of them are bsn nurses.

i just can't wait to hear "oh you're only an adn rn?" next once i become an rn. :lol2:

oh well!!

happy holidays everyone!!!

angel

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agl

If you had a grandpa like mine, you could get a PhD or DNP and a prestigious job with all the perks and you would still hear from Grandpa, "Why didn't you become a doctor? Do you like emptying bedpans all day?" You can't win with some of them!

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Specializes in Gyn Onc, OB, L&D, HH/Hospice/Palliative.

Be Proud ( Lovely Proud Nurse) LPN :heartbeat :nurse:

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I know many people who became nurses as teenagers.

I also have trouble explaining my degree to people. I really would rather not play the 20 questions but a lot of people are curious.

It usually starts out when they see my scrub top, which I wear all the time.

Are you a tech?

No, I'm a nurse.

LPN?

RN.

(surprised and somewhat suspicious look)...Oh, where did you go to school?

(oh boy, here we go....) Excelsior College.

Where's that?

Albany, New York.

You went all the way to New York for school?.....

It's gotten to the point I just say yes and cut it short.

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