I'm a real nurse!!! Thank you!

Nurses LPN/LVN

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Specializes in LTC / Correctional.

Just wondering if anyone else gets subjected to this line of questioning:

Q: Where do you work? A: LTC facility.

Q: Are you a nurse or a cna? A: I'm a nurse.

Q: Are you an RN or LPN? A: I'm an LPN.

Q: Oh, are you going back to school for your RN? A: :madface:BITE MY TONGUE!!

The best one yet, oh you're just playing nurse....... REALLY??!!

HOW RUDE CAN PEOPLE BE? RN or LPN status probably would be much less important if I was caring for your family member.

FYI~~~~> I AM A REAL NURSE!!!!!

Specializes in Home Health, Education.

Amen to that! I'm also tired of constantly having to defend my career choice. The title says it all-Licensed Practical/Vocational NURSE-I like this level of patient care and have no desire to move up the nursing ladder. Don't let other's remarks get you down. Hold your head high and provide the best care you can for your patients. Your work will speak for itself.

While purchasing a car last year the salesman asked me what I did, I told him I was a nurse. He asked me if I was a "Real Nurse" (RN) or a "Pretend Nurse" (PN), he found his joke hilarious. This is why hes a car salesman.

what a jerk.

At my pinning ceremony last summer the faculty talked about how we should keep going to our RN and beyond etc... In general this is fine to say but the way they said it was a little insulting to LPN's and a few of them realized this and tried to make up for it.

I am still in school and will be an RN soon but my sister was in the audience is an LPN and has NO plans to get her RN degree. She is happy and I found myself angry at the faculty speakers for insulting LPN's (esp. my sister)

Sad but this was nurses insulting nurses

Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

There was one clinical instructor in my program--thank God I never had her--who called LVNs (well, LPNs in that state) "little pretend nurses" and that their job was solely to hold the bucket the patient was vomiting was in while the "real nurse" (RN) did the nursing care. I've never been a LVN but that statement ****** me off. It still ****** me off especially now that I've gotten to work with several pretty darn good LVNs that have taught me a thing or two or twenty.

IMO, someone asking if you are going to pursue your RN (or higher) is not necessarily their being insensitive or belittling your value as a LVN--I think it's natural for others to be curious about what plans if any that nurses have for advancing their career. Now if they are making disparaging remarks about you deciding to remain "just" a LVN, IMO that's messed up.

And for someone to call LVNs "pretend nurses" or otherwise devalue them as a nurse is really messed up.

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

When I was an LPN the med-surg unit I worked on nicknamed all the LPNs (and there were about 4-5 of us at the time and about 20-30 RNs) "little play nurses" or "lets play nurse". I was initially insulted, but the unit was pretty close knit and I learned it truly wasn't meant to be mean.Now, I did get irritated trying to constantly explain my title to patients and visitors who often thought I was not a real nurse or that I was more like a CNA.

Specializes in LTC.

OP I agree. I have received the same comments. Its' disgusting. Becoming a LPN first was a dream come true, RN is icing on the cake. I have heard the little pretend nurse comments and it burns me up!!!!

Specializes in Oncology.

I feel the same way when people ask me of I'm going to go to medical school next when they find out I'm in NP school. I've worked with some awesome LPNs. It sucks to have someone devalue your career. Keep up the good work!

Specializes in Dialysis.

The only comment that I have had directly from a patient came when I was about to put his IV in. He asked me if I was nurse and of course I said yes. The RN there was like yes if anybody can get it she can. At that moment I got called away because one of the RN's had a difficult IV that they wanted me to attempt because none of them could get it after several tries. As I'm getting up to leave he says "So who is going to put my IV in I want a "real" nurse not one of those little "play" nurses. What are they called, LPN's?" I politely stepped back around the curtain and said to him "I am an LPN and a very "real" nurse. Thank you." He had no idea that I was an LPN because of how highly everyone spoke of me but the stupid look on his face was priceless!

Specializes in Peds Homecare.

My screen name says it all. I've been a member here since 2000.

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Just to add. As a ADN grad I got.....so when are you going back to get a real degree. When I did go back it was because I needed a BSN to be a flight nurse. I never had any desire to leave the bedside. I love being at the bedside. As I grew older and remained at the bedside I started hearing about going back for my masters to remain in "management" and did I not have any "ambition" to "better" myself to which I always answered that after 30 years at the bedside I didn't see what getting a masters would give me to stay at the bedside supervision and education.

That I was saving money for my children's education when the graduate high school in three years and I was happy doing what I was doing....to which inevitably "The Look" came across their face and I actually heard comments " Oh, so you aren't the ambitious type....how sad....." Really??? After 33 years soon to be 34 years at the bedside in critical care and emergency medicine I am willing to bet I can outnurse many nurses regardless of their "degrees".

I learned much from a LPN when I was new grad, on nights, and "In charge" of 32 patients. If it wasn't for Louise teaching me my butt would have been hung out to dry to many times to count. I thanked Louise everyday for saving my butt and I think her to this very day. Thank you Louise for making me a better nurse (RIP). I wouldn't be the nurse I am had it not been for her teaching and patience. We as nurses will never "better ourselves" as long as we continue to toss each other under the bus like we do....to "better ourselves" we need to treat each other better.

I just graduated from Nursing school in Dec. I was and still am excited about helping the sick and the well for that matter. So I pose this question to the ones that toot up their noses at us. If you or your loved one stopped breathing would it matter if I was an LPN or an RN? God has a plan for each and eveyone one of us and it is with him that we take each step So whether you plan on going higher or not lets be

the best "NURSES" we can be.

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