LPN bashing...

Nurses General Nursing

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:( Why do people not consider LPNs "real" nurses?? I have been an LPN for 6 yrs and I am SO sick of hearing people always point out that RNs can do so much more than I. So, why doesn't anyone ever ask an RN.."When are you going to med school? Docs can do so much more than an RN. (prescribe meds, etc.)" I have nothing against RNs, will probably go back to school when my kids are older. I hope this post makes sense...just needed to vent some.
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It IS very frustrating! After I got my LPN, my family was always on my back to go get my RN. It always irritated me to no end. I can sure sympathize with this one. I finally started working on my RN only after I moved to a small community where the only jobs for a LPN was in LTC. I wanted more job options. I wasn't long in school before I really started to enjoy what I was learning, and realizing that everything I learned made me a better nurse. It's wonderful that you are planning to go back to school!!! You'll never regret it!

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Specializes in ER.

Sounds like plain rudeness to me. If you choose to be an LPN, RN, MD or housekeeper that is up to you. But some people would consider it a compliment to tell you you could do well in a position with greater responsibility. I know some LPN's who are so much better than the RN's I think it is a crying shame that they can't just be "promoted" but I suppose the paperwork has to get done (education wise). Anyway, just roll with it.

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As one who was a LPN earlier in my career, I can understand your frustration. There is nothing "wrong" with LPNs at all. I see it as an entry-level position in Nursing. As Canoe said, some people may see that you have plenty of potential to progress on to RN. If they see it any other way, shame on them! Some LPN's get enough challenges and fulfillment in their work environment that they are very satisfied with what they do. Others of us see that there is definitely a difference in $$ and more personal growth, and go on. Whatever you want and are satisfied with is nobody's business but your own!

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Originally posted by BelindaLPN

So, why doesn't anyone ever ask an RN.."When are you going to med school?

Actually I've been asked this several times as an RN! :)

Although I subscribe to "never say never" as life has a way of pushing you places you'd never thought you'd go...I'm willing to bet VERY good money that I will never go to med school...too much work, too much responsiblity, too little time for oneself.

A nursing degree often is a matter of how much time you have for school and what kind of school you prefer and what's available in your area...and I don't know why anyone would question the road someone takes!

A good nurse is a good nurse be it ADN, BSN, LPN or whatever!

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Specializes in LDRP; Education.

I myself, as an RN, have been asked even by my family why I don't return to school to be an NP with prescription privileges.

People view jobs as what they "do" and the more "authority and power" the better, or more important. I don't think it's that anyone intends to bash LPNs, I think it has to do more with the confusion of the various nursing roles and what a nurse generally does anyway. Don't take it personally. You are more in life than an LPN. That is just your job. Don't define yourself by what you do.

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Specializes in MS Home Health.

I don't know why people do that..........I have posted before I worked with a wonderful LPN who was my right arm......together we worked wonders.....

renerian

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Specializes in Hospice.

I understand totally. Although I am currently in school working on my RN, I am totally satisfied w/ my status as an LPN. I will enjoy the extra money, and it will open more doors for me.

I do get just a tad bit ill when someone calls and says "are you and Rn?" Ok foks i'm not stupid. LOL........but hey......ignorance is bliss they say.......:D

We do have a wonderful staff full of RN's. My night shift supervior makes sure that all new and newly hired RN's understand that without the LPN's they will fall flat on their face. She highly respects us and is quick to tell new RN's that she was trained by an LPN and they will be also.

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Originally posted by CATHYW

Whatever you want and are satisfied with is nobody's business but your own!

Ditto:)

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I don't know....I don't hear a lot of LPN bashing going on. I do think, however that a lot of LPNS think they are the "same" educationally as RNS but they are not. In NJ, LPNS go to school for 1 year, whereas RNS go to school for a minimum of 3 years. The preparation involved with becoming an RN goes a lot further in depth than the preparation involved in becoming an LPN. A lot of advanced practice nurses who were first nurse's aids, then LPN'S, then RN'S then BSN', etc. have told me that as they advanced in their educations, they developed better critical thinking skills and improved their interpersonal relations and communication techniques and opened more doors for them overall. I am disturbed by the comment from a poster about it being too bad that LPNS just can't get promoted to RN, without doing the work that it takes to get there. Practical nursing is a great entry level position and is a valuble stepping stone and experience but I don't know why anyone would want to stop there, if furthering their education is possible. It can only help you to become a better nurse.

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Originally posted by NurseDianne

She highly respects us and is quick to tell new RN's that she was trained by an LPN and they will be also.

Where I'm from... RNs precept new Rns... anything else doesn't quite make sense....

As for the original poster's comments... as others have mentioned... we are not our career choices... those who ask you such silly, improper questions regarding your career decisions require little, if any, credence. It's how YOU perceive your career and perform your work that matters... Don't give those folks a second thought. :)

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Yeah, I didn't get that either. Why would an LPN precept an RN? That's like a CNA precepting an LPN. Also, there seems to be a lot of RN bashing going on from the LPNS too. Could it be jealousy? Don't get me wrong...I would rather be taken care of by a good LPN than a bad RN, but if a person is bad at their job, that is a reflection on the individual, not the job title that they hold. Nobody can make you feel inferior, but you. If you are unhappy with your station in life then it is up to you to take the necessary steps to change it. If you ARE happy with your station in life, then why get upset about it?

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