Just let me be...

Published

This is not a rant. This is not meant to cause any trouble. It was just on my heart and I thought I would share. Please feel free to add a line of your own :)

Can't you just let me be happy to be a LPN?

Is that too much to ask?

I went to nursing school too.

I took the NCLEX and became licensed too.

Just because there is no R in my initials, I'm not nurse enough for you?

I served our country...

I have 2 college degrees and my nursing diploma under my belt...

But the pants are still too big for me to fill you say.

Because I don't have RN behind my name.

I didn't learn enough in school, I don't work at a hospital.

I get payed less and chastised more.

And my own state's nursing organization doesn't give me support.

Can't you just let me be proud to be an LPN?

Don't I take care of the sick and make a difference in human lives?

Just because they're old, they don't matter as much as you or I?

I can't do an initial assessment...

I'm not allowed to hang blood ...

I didn't go to nursing school for as long as you.

But at the end of the day, they call me nurse too.

What makes a nurse, really?

Is it in the letters in our title?

Is it in the money in our checks?

Is it in the specialty we choose?

What happened to respect?

We are all nurses...allnurses

I just chose a different path than you.

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Specializes in CCM, PHN.

If you feel so compelled to complain, whine about and defend your choice to be an LPN, you don't exactly sound proud OR happy. You sound wounded, unhappy and defensive. About your choice to be an LPN. EMPHASIS on "your choice."

I'm so tired of LPNs crying about being LPNs. Seriously. I love LPNs and think they're great! But so many around here have a such a chip on their shoulders because they're not as educated as RNs or WHATEVER. Guess what? The truth sucks! You aren't as educated as an RN! What, isn't that obvious? You might be a better, more experienced nurse, sure! I know lots of LPNs who could nurse CIRCLES around RNs. But circle away.....you still don't have as much education. If you have a problem with that (or have a problem with OTHER people having a problem with it), then get back to school and fix it. Crying about other people's "RN" isn't putting it after your name.

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The LPNs I work with are mostly hugely experienced and knowledgable. The RNs are almost all even less experienced than I am - at 1.5 years experience, I'm an old-timer. You can guess who I'm turning to first most of the time if I have a question!

An LPN forced me into becoming reasonably proficient at blood draws. Another taught me how to actually get a catheter placed when not dealing with a 25 year old with an epidural.

So I have no issues with LPNs, and feel bad that, with their experience, they're getting paid less than I am for EXACTLY the same job. I just wish that there were more resources for LPNs who do want to transition - my state offers virtually nothing.

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If you feel so compelled to complain, whine about and defend your choice to be an LPN, you don't exactly sound proud OR happy. You sound wounded, unhappy and defensive. About your choice to be an LPN. EMPHASIS on "your choice."

I'm so tired of LPNs crying about being LPNs. Seriously. I love LPNs and think they're great! But so many around here have a such a chip on their shoulders because they're not as educated as RNs or WHATEVER. Guess what? The truth sucks! You aren't as educated as an RN! What, isn't that obvious? You might be a better, more experienced nurse, sure! I know lots of LPNs who could nurse CIRCLES around RNs. But circle away.....you still don't have as much education. If you have a problem with that (or have a problem with OTHER people having a problem with it), then get back to school and fix it. Crying about other people's "RN" isn't putting it after your name.

Wasn't whining or complaining. Sorry it was too much for you to handle :sarcastic:

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Specializes in Adult Internal Medicine.

Be proud of what you are and what you have accomplished.

It sounds like you aren't letting yourself be happy. You don't have to justify yourself.

When you say things like "I went to nursing school" and "I took the NCLEX" you are comparing yourself to RNs by apples to oranges comparisons. Try saying I am a nurse and I am licensed to practice to the full extent of my scope. No comparisons necessary.

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Sometimes it is hard to be the odd one out.

I work with an ambitious group of young and ambitious nurses. Where I work, if you have no ambitions to become a CRNA or go to NP school or work on your masters for a management position, you are the odd one out (slacker).

Where do I plan to be in ten years? Hopefully still in bedside nursing.

In my unit that makes me feel like you describe.

I almost need to justify my decision.

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Obviously, you have never been a LPN or you wouldn't have written such a digusting post. I was a proud LPN and know many proud LPNS, however it is a complete nuisance to have RNS as yourself degrade LPNs. I'm so tired of RNs thinking they are smarter and better than LPNS because of extra education. Well, let me educate you. I have seen many LPNs save a RNs' butt because the RN was too incompetent. I rather have a LPN take care of me who is competent than a RN with "more education". Education does not save lives honey but experience does.It is not so easy to "go back to school" when you don't have the circumstances to do so. I feel sorry for any LPN or anyone that has to work with such a narrow minded individual. This is truly sad. I'm happy to be a RN but I was proud of being a LPN despite negative comments. To the OP, continue to hold your head up high and know I totally understand how you feel. I've been there.

If you feel so compelled to complain, whine about and defend your choice to be an LPN, you don't exactly sound proud OR happy. You sound wounded, unhappy and defensive. About your choice to be an LPN. EMPHASIS on "your choice."

I'm so tired of LPNs crying about being LPNs. Seriously. I love LPNs and think they're great! But so many around here have a such a chip on their shoulders because they're not as educated as RNs or WHATEVER. Guess what? The truth sucks! You aren't as educated as an RN! What, isn't that obvious? You might be a better, more experienced nurse, sure! I know lots of LPNs who could nurse CIRCLES around RNs. But circle away.....you still don't have as much education. If you have a problem with that (or have a problem with OTHER people having a problem with it), then get back to school and fix it. Crying about other people's "RN" isn't putting it after your name.

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Specializes in CCM, PHN.
Obviously, you have never been a LPN or you wouldn't have written such a digusting post. I was a proud LPN and know many proud LPNS, however it is a complete nuisance to have RNS as yourself degrade LPNs. I'm so tired of RNs thinking they are smarter and better than LPNS because of extra education. Well, let me educate you. I have seen many LPNs save a RNs' butt because the RN was too incompetent. I rather have a LPN take care of me who is competent than a RN with "more education". Education does not save lives honey but experience does.It is not so easy to "go back to school" when you don't have the circumstances to do so. I feel sorry for any LPN or anyone that has to work with such a narrow minded individual. This is truly sad. I'm happy to be a RN but I was proud of being a LPN despite negative comments. To the OP, continue to hold your head up high and know I totally understand how you feel. I've been there.

Hey, read my post carefully. I said I know LPNs who are way better nurses than RNs and I LOVE LPNs! And I didn't degrade LPNs.....the OP did a great job of doing that! I only tell the truth: RNs have more education. Does that make RNs smarter or better nurses? Sometimes. Sometimes not.

What I'm sick of is LPNs crying and whining about BEING LPNs. If the letters on the totem pole are THAT much an issue in your life, then do something about it! If you're sick of getting guff from RNs, you have to post woe-is-the-poor-misunderstood-LPN sob stories, or find yourself constantly on the defensive about your choice, then FIX it.

I work with some brilliant LPNs who whine constantly about their status, who would BREEZE thru ADN or BSN, but CHOOSE not to. I guess they'd rather play victim and complain instead. I'm really tired of it. Either be happy with your choice, or quit whining defensively and change it. I'm well aware you're a great nurse, probably better and smarter than me. Here, here's a gold medal, you smart nurse you.

I don't degrade LPNs - I degrade people who choose a path, then cry about it and do nothing to fix it.

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If you feel so compelled to complain, whine about and defend your choice to be an LPN, you don't exactly sound proud OR happy. You sound wounded, unhappy and defensive. About your choice to be an LPN. EMPHASIS on "your choice."

I'm so tired of LPNs crying about being LPNs. Seriously. I love LPNs and think they're great! But so many around here have a such a chip on their shoulders because they're not as educated as RNs or WHATEVER. Guess what? The truth sucks! You aren't as educated as an RN! What, isn't that obvious? You might be a better, more experienced nurse, sure! I know lots of LPNs who could nurse CIRCLES around RNs. But circle away.....you still don't have as much education. If you have a problem with that (or have a problem with OTHER people having a problem with it), then get back to school and fix it. Crying about other people's "RN" isn't putting it after your name.

Wow you completely missed the mark.

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Specializes in Med-surg.

5... 4... 3... 2... 1...

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Wow you completely missed the mark.

Sure did. Lol

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Specializes in Medical Surgical Orthopedic.

I always say that people have a pecking order- just like chickens. We're constantly comparing ourselves to each other to see where we fit in. And often, when we care, we encourage each other to reach "higher". It's nothing to take personally ...it's just the way people are wired.

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