Licensed practical..what?

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Just wondering, in general, does anyone else here have any issues at their work or in their community as not being recognized as a "real nurse". It is starting to bother me to no end. "Are you a nurse or an LPN?" they said. When are you going back to school? Oh you wouldn't know, you're "just" an LPN. I've even heard stories of housekeeping staff saying that LPNs are not real nurses and that anyone she hears saying so she corrects them! A doctor couldn't even address me as a nurse, they referred to me as "that person looking after (enter patient name)" UGH! I feel like this whole thing has taken a shot at me. I worked extremely hard for 2 years in school, wrote the national exam and was very proud of myself the day I became a nurse. Fast forward a few years later and now a days, I feel guilty saying I'm a nurse cause I feel like I'm lying and that somehow that title is only reserved for someone with a degree.

Anyone else experiencing this? How do you deal with it? I find it hard to ignore.

People are just so mean for putting anyone down!
fixed that ;)

I've heard some stuff as a CNA lol - "She just wipes orifices all day, what does she know?" Well, I can also strip and make an occupied bed in 2 minutes ;) and I can take a mean set of vitals.

It doesn't matter where we are on the ladder; to some people we'll always be "Just a _______" - what really matters is how we respond to that. I try not to get into pissing contests with people when they put me down as it doesn't serve any purpose. I just keep doing the one thing I'm in the building for: my job.

I might be just a CNA to some, and some may be just an LPN/LVN/RN/BSN etc. to others~ the list goes on.

But it's totally rad because I'm doing something I enjoy, and the people that put me down have no bearing on my life whatsoever. Sure, in the moment it stings; especially in the case of nurses (at all levels) since you've put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into obtaining your licenses. I can understand that the lack of respect is upsetting, but don't let that moment sit with you, and be sure to treat those under you with kindness.

As a side-note though; the only ones who have given me crap for being 'just' a CNA are the ones most insecure with their position. lol

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