I Wish I was a Real Nurse not a LPN

dannyc12 · Sep 16, 2009

It appears you have let others dictate how you view yourself. I would advise you to stop that immediately.

Work hard, be a competent nurse and you will earn respect. I understand this is easier said than done.

Good luck!

ballerinagirl · Sep 16, 2009

start taking the 'real classes' one at a time from your local community college. It's cheaper that way. In the meantime, your clinical experience can help you get through the school. I"m not an RN yet but hoping to be.

If you are headed in that direction, you will eventually gain respect. But I agree-- LPNs aren't as respected as RNs and for a good reason.

The problem is -- there's a nursing shortage -- you would think that there would be efforts to help LPNs become RNs but I've found that it's not as easy to go from LPN to RN. May as well just start the RN program and do 2 yrs. Of course, RN programs are all impacted, so it's not exactly that easy either.

Good luck to you.

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · Sep 16, 2009

I wish that I had a magic wand to take away the bad feelings you have about being an LPN.

I don't know you, I don't know your skills, but you are a human being, and I hope that you will be able to find some love for yourself someday.

Being a "real nurse."......you are one.

You just have to believe it.

I really, truly wish you the best.

Much respect,

Jo

sleepyRN2 · Sep 16, 2009

first of all, you must quit this defeatist nonsense. no way you'll do this; rather, off you go to an accredited school to do some of your prereqs---finish even if you have to tackle them one by one. you'll be so surprised by the end of your prereqs that you've grown much more than you can imagine when you begun your trek. but you won't stop there, of course---you'll continue by filling out a nursing school application form. wait patiently until accepted in one nursing school, where you will learn to apply what you've learned from your prereq days. you won't believe how amazing how things are interrelated in the grand scheme of things. it's going to be a lot of fun, as learning should be. you are already a nurse---an LPN for goodness sake. i don't exactly know what you are complaining about.

GilaRRT · Sep 16, 2009

I do not think it is a matter of "not being a real nurse." Now that you are in a different environment, you see some of the pitfalls and limitations of your license. Unfortunately, RN's and nearly every other provider will have limitations and pitfalls related to their license level. Rather than put your self down, focus on your strengths and learn your new environment.

Additionally, I find many patients really do not care about licensure level unless you go out of your way to make it a big deal. Most patients are happy with competent and compassionate care regardless of the providers level of license. Obviously, there always exist exceptions. This also applies to many doctors. Many doctors simply do not care about nurse education, licenses, or even specialty certification. If you do a good job and have self confidence, most people will treat you with respect.

In addition, it is not a new concept to let students get in on the action so to speak. This is nothing against you, it is simple getting these students experience. We should all advocate for this to occur.

It sounds like you are having some adjustment issues to your new position along with self confidence issues. Work to adjust and start focusing on your strengths. I guarantee, as a RN I have been told I am not as good as a doctor, PA, NP, insert any number of providers, more times than I can remember. Your struggles are not unique to your level of education. We all struggle with these problems to some extent.

In fact, I am going through a major struggle with the nurses I work with over my new career choice. I can turn tale and run with a hurt ego, or continue to be proud of what I want to do.

SaraO'Hara · Sep 16, 2009

Ahem. LVN/LPNs are not real nurses? You need to step back, take a chill pill, and think about how YOU view yourself, not how others do. If you stand up for yourself, people will respect you.

I'm sorry, but I want to smack anybody who suggests that we didn't work as hard for our certifications, or that we can't perform our jobs as well as RNs can perform theirs. I'm not suggesting that we can do everything an RN can, but there is no reason an LVN cannot be an excellent nurse.

Lacie, BSN, RN · Sep 16, 2009

I agree with the previous poster it's the situation you are in and also how you may be viewing yourself. You are a REAL NURSE. I have worked with many LPN's that could work circles around most RN's I have worked with including myself. In fact when I left a job to be the DON at another job the first person I recruited to the new job was an LPN and a real nurse! I was honored to work with her and in fact she was the very person who helped introduce me to Dialysis when I first entered that area of nursing. I have always valued her and any other LPN I have worked with. Exhude your own confidence in your abilities and they will see it. It may take time but it will show. Never down play who you are and what you are worth by others weaknesses. Dont feel forced to go to be an RN but do it for the right reasons that you want to do and not because it's what you feel others would or do expect of you. :heartbeat

AOx1 · Sep 16, 2009

I also agree with the above. The board of nursing views you as a nurse. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but although I am working on my doctorate, there are still those who don't respect that I am a nurse and enjoy it. I frequently get comments of "Why didn't you become a doctor?" I was actually accepted into medical school but declined after a lot of time spent thinking about what I wanted for my life. I am pleased with my decision, and that is all that counts.

Although our scope of practice is different, LPNs also serve an important role. I have known LPNs who were inept, and LPNs who were extremely bright and talented, just as I have known RNs and physicians on both ends of the spectrum. If you would like to further your education, do so! Even if you choose not to formally advance to a higher degree, continue to learn and progress in your role as an LPN. We all have plenty to learn in this world. Just knowing that I am trying my best to always be an avid learner gives me confidence.

It sounds as if you need a new challenge to help you think about yourself in a different light. If it's any consolation, education just makes you more educated, not necessarily more intelligent or a better caregiver. I pursue my education because I always want to learn something new, not because I am dissatisfied with who I am or what I am currently doing. I hope you will reconsider the value of an LPN in the healthcare system. I would also venture to say that some of the least compensated and respected jobs (nurse, teacher, social worker) are some of the most valuable in bettering the human condition.

Fiona59 · Sep 16, 2009

Think about how you are presenting yourself.

In the last decade, I've never once had a surgeon refuse to discuss their patient with me because I'm an LPN. Our surgeon's don't know who is registered and who is licensed, they just know who are competent nurses on their wards. They value our experience in caring for their post op patients.

Were you given a reasonable orientation period to your new role? Were your skills mentored and brought up to speed?

Stop the self defeating attitude and have some pride in yourself.

Diaper, RN · Sep 16, 2009

Please don't let anyone to put you down. I've seen many LPN/LVN are great nurses and I see them as 'real nurses' ! Please believe in yourself and I'm sure you can be a wonderful nurse :)

heathert_kc · Sep 16, 2009

I think it is unfortunate that you feel so bad about being an LPN. I am an LPN and I love it, but I am working on furthering my education; I will eventually, in the not too distant future, be an rn. I don't think there is anything wrong with it, for me it is just a stepping stone, but for others it can be a life long career. I think the way LPNs are perceived varies depending on the facility and individuals themselves. I have worked in different environments: home health, ltc, and corrections. Never have I felt as though I was truly looked down upon. As a charge nurse at a nursing facility (my current job) I do the exact same job as other nurses, both rns and other lpns, and the lady who often works nights shifts the days I have off has a bsn; we all do the same job.

Perhaps you need to find a position where you are respected for what you are " a nurse". Or if it is really your dream, go back to school, though it might take a while and require a lot of time and effort on your part, do it; take basic prerequisites at a local community college.