How do I explain that I'm "JUST" a LPN ??

[NurseLoveJoy88]

My LPN pinning ceremony is in 9 days and I'm very excited and proud of my soon to be accomplishment, however I hate always having to explain to people that I'm just a LPN. People automatically assume I'll be a RN and when I mention LPN they have puzzled, disappointed look on their face. However, if I was to say I'll be a RN new grad, its just congratulations and no questions asked. I not only have to do this with strangers but my family and friends. I've been telling my family and friends for the last three years that I'll be a LPN one finished in july and they are still confused. I was talking to my dad today and he doesn't understand how I've been in school for nursing for 3 years ( including prereqs) and still don't have an AA degree. I told him that once I finish the rest of my prereqs and the last year for NS then I'll be a RN with an AA degree(ofcourse after taking boards). The only person that does understand what I am and what my goals are is my mom. My mom has been a LPN for 4 years and is now a RN, so she's been through similair. I'm just so sick of explaining to people that I'll be a LPN for the next two years or so until I get my RN. I feel like I've made a great accomplishment. To be 20 and a nurse is pretty darn ok to me. I also have plans to get my BSN as well. Thinks for letting me vent.

Now, my question is how do I tell people I'm a LPN with out having to tell them my whole life story of why I chose to become a LPN first rather then RN ? How do I also educate people the on the differences between LPN and RNs (under 10 seconds ) with out sounding like I've cut myself short ? And telling them I'll be a nurse, is never good enough... they always say: " so you'll be a RN" ? right after I tell them I'll be a nurse.

[Mollypita]

You've already received some good advice but I had to chime in as well. I was in the exact same situation years ago, also at a young age. I didn't get my RN until 2008, and it was my LPN that ENABLED me to get that without huge debt. Having a skill that can earn money when you're young is immensely helpful in every way. Congratulations!

[nerdtonurse?, BSN, RN]

Tell them what I'm telling them -- I'll be a "new" RN with 2 years job experience, and no loans to pay back. If they insist on being a horse's backside, I then tell them it took me 5 years to pay off my BA, and I promised myself that this time, it's pay as you go, or you don't go....

[floridanursemom239]

I agree...hold your head proud and HIGH! You go girl!!!

[AmbitiousNurse16]

You cant always worry about others expectations of you. If you are proud of you then thats all that matters

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I hate when that happens. Or, I get the comments that "Well, you are going for your RN, aren't you?" Or, when do I plan to be a nurse and I tell them I already am.

I admit to everyone that I am proud to be an LPN and have no intention of becoming an RN. To do so would be only from peer pressure, not my true desire. Lately, I have made it my business to say that I am a Licensed Practical Nurse (with great emphasis) because when I get through with teaching, caring and performing my skills, I want them to know that LPNs are competent, knowledgable nurses as well. I am a task oriented person who does wish to focus more on the nursing skills than paperwork. I am observant, I continue to read and update myself on as much as I can so that I can improve my practice. I made a careful decision when I chose which nurse I wanted to be and have no regrets.

If a person asks me in a respectable way, I mention some of why, but those who are rude and condescending...well, they get what they get. Be proud of your accomplishments because you WILL be a NURSE soon!

[Mariposa2009, BSN, RN]

Hey, I have to keep explaining to people why I am in "just" an Associate's degree program for my RN instead of a Bachelor's or Master's level program. And before that I spent years trying to avoid having to explain why I never finished my Ph.D. in Literature! It just never ends!

Just hold your head up high and say it was the smartest choice to make for various reasons and leave it at that!

I Know exactly how you feel. Whenever I tell people that I'm an RN, I receive the usual "I'm so proud of you" and "congratulations, that's great." However, when they ask me what school I graduated from and I tell them that it was "just" a community college. Their smiling faces change to confused ones and they say, "well, you're going to continue with school aren't you?" Like the 3yrs that I busted my behind is not good enough or just a big waste of time.

Anyway, Nursing student 19 keep your head up girl!!!!!!!! You have made a huge accomplishment and you should be proud of yourself. I'm proud of you!!!!!!!!!

[StNeotser, ASN, RN]

Oh geez. The N stands for nurse, right? Plus I have encountered a lot of patients who seem to think that nursing in general is some sort of six week training course you took at the hospital.

Be proud of yourself and realize that most people still don't "get" nursing.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Sometimes, LPNs get this even from RNs. I remember a discussion a few years ago where an RN stated "She isn't a nurse...she is an LPN"...duh?? Or, we hear "The Nurses and the LPNs"...etc... Sometimes, you gotta sigh and keep it moving.

[caliotter3]

Oh geez. The N stands for nurse, right? Plus I have encountered a lot of patients who seem to think that nursing in general is some sort of six week training course you took at the hospital.

Be proud of yourself and realize that most people still don't "get" nursing.

I have had more than one client in home health who actually give more credit and respect to housekeepers than they do nurses. I do not waste a lot of time trying to change their minds. Enjoy your graduation and good luck with your licensing exam.

[Moogie]

Sometimes, LPNs get this even from RNs. I remember a discussion a few years ago where an RN stated "She isn't a nurse...she is an LPN"...duh?? Or, we hear "The Nurses and the LPNs"...etc... Sometimes, you gotta sigh and keep it moving.

I think we've worked in the same facility!

I was the only RN working the floor at a LTC facility; the other floor nurses were all LPNs. My DON held monthly "LPN" meetings to discuss care issues and medication errors. When I started, I asked if I was supposed to attend these meetings since I was an RN. (Honest! I swear I wasn't trying to be a smart***!) After the first couple of times I gently suggested that they call the monthly meetings "floor nurse meetings" and they refused to do so, it started to feel downright disrespectful.

The worst, though, was that the DON and even one of the RNACs would sometimes refer to me as an LPN. Hey, not that I'm any better because I have a different kind of license and education but I worked damned hard for my RN license and my degrees. I earned the right to the title "Registered Nurse." I was paid RN wages, I was held to RN standards and I was expected to even provide coverage when there were no RNs scheduled. The RNAC, very young and inexperienced, was a little ditzy, so I can understand her gaffes. But the DON---who had far less education and experience than I---sorry, that was a gross lack of respect. I even approached her on it---said that her referring to me as an LPN when I was an RN (with a BSN!) bothered me, she looked at me like I was speaking another language. It simply did not register with her---or perhaps she didn't care. (BINGO!) BTW, the DON was considerably younger than I, had less experience and less education. Not nice! :angryfire

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I think we've worked in the same facility!

I was the only RN working the floor at a LTC facility; the other floor nurses were all LPNs. My DON held monthly "LPN" meetings to discuss care issues and medication errors. When I started, I asked if I was supposed to attend these meetings since I was an RN. (Honest! I swear I wasn't trying to be a smart***!) After the first couple of times I gently suggested that they call the monthly meetings "floor nurse meetings" and they refused to do so, it started to feel downright disrespectful.

The worst, though, was that the DON and even one of the RNACs would sometimes refer to me as an LPN. Hey, not that I'm any better because I have a different kind of license and education but I worked damned hard for my RN license and my degrees. I earned the right to the title "Registered Nurse." I was paid RN wages, I was held to RN standards and I was expected to even provide coverage when there were no RNs scheduled. The RNAC, very young and inexperienced, was a little ditzy, so I can understand her gaffes. But the DON---who had far less education and experience than I---sorry, that was a gross lack of respect. I even approached her on it---said that her referring to me as an LPN when I was an RN (with a BSN!) bothered me, she looked at me like I was speaking another language. It simply did not register with her---or perhaps she didn't care. (BINGO!) BTW, the DON was considerably younger than I, had less experience and less education. Not nice! :angryfire

First, I want to say that I have truly been enjoying your posts. You seem like a reasonable person who is not title hungry and tries to respect everyone. And, I repeat, I would love to had been one of your students or worked with you!

I agree that you should receive the recognition and respect for earning your RN title and would be insulted as well if regarded as less (and less does not mean insignificant). I am not one of the angry LPNs that strike at RNs out of envy and malice. Because I am not an RN, I don't know what their studying entailed (but hope that it was in more detail than ours...LOL) nor have I had their ultimate responsibility. Many times, I wonder what I would do if I were in some of the situations I have witnessed and believe that I would be so overwhelmed that I would not be effective. Not being effective is bothersome to me, so, I think that one should think carefully about their choices. Because I would be stressed out under that title, I believe it would not be safe for either my patients or collagues, so, I picked what I knew I can handle (and sometimes, I STILL wonder...). I would rather slice it to say that both, LPNs and RNs exist, so, rather than waste time with oneupmanship, I desperately want to collaborate to be an effective team.

I always said that the language should change...it should not be worded as "Nurses and LPNs" because it seems to denote that LPNs are not nurses. I would rather hear it as LPNs and RNs, or as you mentioned "floor nurses" and "charge/head nurses" as not to single out even the thought that LPNs are not nurses. Just because I didn't opt to become an RN does not make me a cop out or less than or not ambitious. I admit to my personal limitations because they are too strong for me to be effective in that role. Too many distractions for me and that, I believe is not safe or brings positive outcomes to the patient or the health care team.

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

SHort and sweet: flush that just down the john.

Your response is I am a Nurse, or I am a Licensed Practical Nurse. Why do you ask?

The give the distant look like my cat does when he sees "ghosts." And change the subject