Just let me be...

Nurses LPN/LVN

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.

Specializes in ER.

I say if you are happy being an LPN, then be an LPN and stop worrying about what other people think of you. If you are unhappy being an LPN(which it sounds like you are) then go back to school and get your RN. Till then, quit ya whining.

Specializes in ER.
Why don't we "just go get our RN and stop complaining"? Lack of ambition? Laziness? Take a moment and really look at why some of us don't. I have applied to 3 different bridge programs. These programs only take 20 or so students a year out of 200 or so applicants with special consideration given to former students of that school and residents of the county the school is in. Saying it is competitive is an understatement. How about the fact that some of us have families and don't have the time in our schedules to attend classes? How about lack of money because we are low man on the totem pole? Please remember, it is not that easy for everyone to "just go get our RN". We are looked down on, it is a fact. It is degrading and the more people encounter it the more it hurts.

It sounds like you look down upon yourself. " Nobody can make you feel inferior without your consent" . If you are content with being an LPN, then why do you care what other people think?

Specializes in ER.

PS Why does there have to be a ******* contest? The LPN has their role and the RN has their role. These posts always turn into an RN bashing session. Don't hate.

Well, as I am fond of saying, anecdote is not the singular of data. I'll see your tales of mahvelous crusty old LPNs bailing the resident or the new RN out one dark and stormy night, and raise you a dozen truly horrifying anecdotes about situations that were mis-read and mishandled by LPNs whose ignorance of physiology, assessment, and intervention was truly breathtaking.

What I learned of LPNs in my first year out of school from the ones I worked with was that they were completely task-oriented, felt empowered to be mean to patients whose demographics or diagnoses were distasteful to them, they were absolutely uninterested in learning anything new, and were unwilling to take any responsibility for their screw-ups because they weren't in charge and the RN was supposed to take care of problems. Fortunately for my professional development, after that first year I worked for 7 years in an all-RN environment, and the care was exemplary.

Some years later I had occasion to teach in an LPN-to-ADN program when my ADN program put one together with a large hospital that was phasing out LPNs. The hospital put a boatload of bucks into paying for sixteen LPNs to take this program at no cost to themselves, and was going to give them their years of seniority in their new RN positions to boot. We worked very hard to make this program a success; it was taught at a lower level than the generic students' program, and we offered extra time for tests, free tutoring, extra office hours, review sections... the hospital gave them extra days off for school and all... And what happened?

You never heard such ***** and moaning about how mean this was, how they didn't want to be RNs, they didn't want the responsibility, this was too much learning, if they wanted to be RNs they'd have done it in the first place, they hate this. So much for opportunity. Of the sixteen, only four or five made it halfway through, and I think only 2 passed NCLEX RN. The others lost their jobs because they were either too stupid to learn or couldn't be bothered to learn what they needed to keep them.

Generalities? Sure. But no less so than these other rainbows-and-unicorns "we're all on the same team so we're all of the same value." Horsepucky. If that's not you I'm glad to hear it, and I am aware that this is the LPN/LVN forum I'm posting on. But let's not be self-delusional, either.

Oh boy...thanks for everyone's input, but this thread has turned into exactly what I didn't want it to be. I am nowhere near the wounded, sad little puppy that some of you seem to have suggested, so please don't feel sorry for me;) I am very accomplished in my life, and nowhere near lazy. I have two degrees on top of my nursing diploma...if that makes me lazy then so be it. I wasn't trying to offend anyone or degrade any nurse (RN or LPN), I was simply saying that some people are happy being LPNs...not because they are lazy, or lack ambition. Being happy in your career shouldn't elicit remarks such as "why don't you just get your RN?"

Specializes in CCU,ICU,ER retired.

wow just wow What bitterness.

Specializes in ER.
Oh boy...thanks for everyone's input, but this thread has turned into exactly what I didn't want it to be. I am nowhere near the wounded, sad little puppy that some of you seem to have suggested, so please don't feel sorry for me;) I am very accomplished in my life, and nowhere near lazy. I have two degrees on top of my nursing diploma...if that makes me lazy then so be it. I wasn't trying to offend anyone or degrade any nurse (RN or LPN), I was simply saying that some people are happy being LPNs...not because they are lazy, or lack ambition. Being happy in your career shouldn't elicit remarks such as "why don't you just get your RN?"

YOU started it. I also believe that the belief that LPNS are lazy and lack ambition is YOUR perception. I did not see one post on this thread that stated that. Stop being so defensive and if you enjoy your current position as an LPN than continue to enjoy it and *** what anyone else thinks.

Specializes in CCU,ICU,ER retired.

I was a LPN for 38 yrs all in critical care units and ER's. I did my job, didn't complain about not being a RN. I respected the chain of command and who was in charge, i worked as a team member I was never ever lazy. I loved my job... every job. I am still close friends with the RN's I worked with They respected me as well. As for the nurses who have such low opinions for LPN's You apparently have never met a good one.

I'd like to think we value patient care workers from all levels of education and preparation, from the PCT or CNA to the NP or CNS. Each has their important, unique role on the health care team and brings their own brand of expertise to the clinical setting. All are worthy of respect if they perform with professionalism and compassion. Each, no doubt, worked hard to attain their knowledge, skills, and manner of caring.

I'm sure it can seem like you're being devalued when you hear "are you going on to get your RN?" I can think of lots of reasons why that would become very annoying and perhaps be interpreted as implying you're not a "real" or a good-enough nurse. Like the NP or CNS, you're just a different kind of nurse with a different scope of practice.

I'd like to think we can value and appreciate the additional knowledge and skill to be gained through advanced degrees and certifications, and accord them the respect they deserve, too.

Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

I was a CNA, then LPN, and finally ADN. The only reason I ever ask a LPN why they don't continue is because I see something in them that would make them a great RN. Some people are just content to do their job, but there are those who go above and beyond. I could really care less if you are content with being a LPN with 2 other degrees. I'm sure most could care less that I have an associates degree and am content with that. We too hear "Why don't you get your BSN?". Well, it's simple really..... I don't want to and everytime I take another class towards my BSN, I hate it even more! So, I'm content and your content. Sounds like another great day!

Specializes in Psych, Med-Surg, utter confusion, chaos!.

Well personally, I could care less what anyone thinks. That doesn't mean I'm not a caring person, only that I am focused on myself, and not everyone else. Since it's my life to live, I play by my own rules and tend not to get caught up in the who-thinks-what issues. You can only control yourself. Do what makes you happy and don't worry about all the labeling.

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…”

~Dr. Seuss

“There are two ways to live; you can live as if nothing is a miracle; you can live as if everything is a miracle”

~Albert Einstein

“Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet.”

~Bob Marley

I thought the original post was almost poetic... Not feeling bad about ones LPN status... I am an LPN, and after earning my BS in Biology n entering a MS program that I decided against, I chose nursing. LPN path to get me back working quicker. While working as an aide I had MORE education than most of the ADN nurses just not the right kind. We are all on our own paths for different reasons..

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