I would like to say

student-with-no-life · Apr 19, 2008

Thanks everybody - all I can say is I am so glad I am off the 7-3 shift, I don't do mornings very well and I have to leave my house by 5:45am to get to work in time, next week I am on the 3-11 shift then I hope to start my twelves(7p-7a) in a couple of weeks. I feel very fortunate to have this position, now just to learn the computer system where what paper goes where and all will be good.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Apr 19, 2008

Glad to know that you are working with a great team who respects you, and that the hours are what you want. Good luck!

nursienurse_81 · Apr 23, 2008

Sometimes I think RN's are unaware of the way LPNs are treated not because it doesn't happen, but because it doesn't happen to them. As an LPN I have been called a "Little Phake Nurse", a "Low Paid Nurse", a "Little Pretend Nurse", etc... So it does in fact happen. I would like to say to all the people who say LPNs should say they are LPNs and not nurses that there is infact a reason I say I am a nurse and not a LPN. When I say I am an LPN people automatically assume I am not intelligent enough to become an RN. I don't receive respect from doctors, paramedics, RNs, RN students (which I think takes guts) and some patients. I hate that I have a wealth of knowledge from being an LPN for years and people disregard it. I work with plenty of LPNs and RNs and I am telling you right now... BEING A NURSE MEANS HAVING THE EXPERIENCE TO THOROUGHLY TAKE CARE OF YOUR PATIENT'S NEEDS REGARDLESS OF WHETHER YOU ARE AN LPN OR RN... New RNs do not have the experience that old LPNs have...period. I think we will all agree that we have seen good/bad LPNs and good/bad RNs. Let's be real!

My husband is an RN (my mother is an LPN and my mother in law has her BSN) and he does not understand what the hurry is in me getting my RN. He would be perfectly content in me never getting my RN, because he doesn't see that much of a difference. However, I do. Being an RN means more money, more respect, and more doors of opportunity opening. I look forward to someday getting my RN, but it doesn't mean I haven't obtained priceless knowledge being a "little pretend nurse". I would just like to move up the career ladder, as I would recommend to anyone. Good luck to all everyone, RNs and LPNs alike!

nyapa, RN · Apr 23, 2008

OP, I'm so glad you enjoyed your first day, but you better change your name from 'student-with-no-life' to something more applicable now you are officially part of the crew:redpinkhe:nurse:

nursienurse, thats terrible the way you have been treated. Not all places are like that. I was an Enrolled Nurse (=LPN) for many years. A few things:

I have had a couple of Registered Nurse students in their first year. They weren't very impressed, but really, we nurses could provide them with just as much knowledge and time management etc for that time of their course.

When I did my RN course our lecturer gave us a lecture on cardiac enzymes. Most of us were Enrolled Nurses. She missed out troponin totally. We were literally screaming the word at her. She told us it wasn't important! Good Lord! Someone out of the group complained to one of the head lecturers, who duly came in and 'informed' us that yes, troponin is important. So, LPNs, don't put yourselves down.

As an EN many years ago, there was a lovely doctor on our ward who asked me to do something above our job description. I dared to say, "Im sorry, but I can't do that, I'm only an EN". The doctor frowned at me and said, "Don't you dare say that you are only an EN. I was one once!" I was gobsmacked! And I never said it like that again...

Jay