LPN Bashing

[kwalker5]

I think the bashing stems from the fact that nursing is so fragmented. What other profession do you know where it's fragmented into 3 distinct categories, yet generalized by the public? When I ask people their profession, they say "I'm a nurse". Yet when probed deeper, you find out that they are an LPN or a CNA. In my own opinion, and if I were king, I would do away with the LPN curriculum, and require all future nurses to be RN, BSNs. Why?? Because when you raise the standards of a profession, you can command more money, and command more respect from the public as they know you went through lengthy formal education as opposed to a one year community college course.

Nurses whine and complain about their salary, lack of support, heavy assignments, etc. But they brought it all on themselves by having incompetent lobbyists and unqualified personnel in Washington, the ANA, and the NLN. Such regulatory boards are primarily run by women. The AMA is run by men. Look at the difference in pay and respect. Wake up, people! Raise the standards of your profession and let the public know we're not just professional butt wipers and glorified baby sitters!

Talk to your local state representative today! Demand new blood in the ANA and NLN! Make a difference in your profession! Go back to school and get your BSN or higher! RAISE THE STANDARDS!

[twells]

I think one of the greatest problems in nursing today is the attitude that "I didn't go to nursing school to empty bedpans". I consider the basic personal care functions my best opportunity to do a thorough functional assessment. I can rarely tell a person's status as well with a few questions and a stethoscope to the chest as I can from watching/helping to get out of bed and go to the bathroom.

LPNs strengthen nursing through their knowledge and willingness to provide care. RNs who cry that we aren't as influential as MDs because they're men and we're women weaken us.

[MarcusKspn]

While we are on the topic of everybody should be at the top level of their profession...

I think we should fire all the teachers that are teaching our children at our Grade, Junior and high schools. They are "only" B.S. graduates of whatever unimportant college they attented. Why should me have mere BSE teach our children if there are people with masters degrees, or even Ph. D.'s out there. By making every teacher have a doctorate degree we will ensure a higher level of performance at our school, and at the same time drive up the taxes we have to pay to teach our children.

Putting this little scenario aside.

By making everyone be an BSN RN is not going to make us have higher salaries, matter of fact they will go down. Basic principle of Economics. RIght now we have CNA's, LPN's and RN's (other states have CMA's, AUA's and everything in between). Right now if a facility wants to have that RN running around they have to find that one person that actually has the education required to be an RN. Since there are less of them they can demant more money. If everyone is an RN the supply of RN's is high, so you don't have to pay them that much. The one and only reason nurses don't get paid much is because we let them pay us so little.

And when you are sick and go to the hospital. Why would you want to pay $30 dollars to an RN if the only thing you ever needed help with is taking your pill and changing clothes, something the CNA and LPN could have done for $20 combined.

Why have soldiers, lets make them all generals. Why have McDonalds teenagers, lets make them all culinary chef's.....

Seperation is part of the job. We have PT, OT, and RT, lets just all make them just "T"s one of them could do it all and demand more money.

Sorry for my rant.

[Wavedancer]

I think it is silly! Its been around a long time and only silly people would do it.

[Sekar]

"In my own opinion, and if I were king, I would do away with the LPN curriculum, and require all future nurses to be RN, BSNs. Why?? Because when you raise the standards of a profession, you can command more money, and command more respect from the public as they know you went through lengthy formal education as opposed to a one year community college course."

My, My what a non-novel approach. It's been tried, it didn't work, there is no point in going there again. What exactly do think the "N" in LPN stands for? It stands for Nurse, as in Licensed NURSE. Unlike CNAs, LPNs are NOT nurse extenders they are NURSES. As someone who has been a LPN and has recently become a RN I can tell you straight out that a stance such as what you advocate is what has been damaging our profession. We can't expect others to take us seriously because we are mired in the "my school is better than yours" crap rather than pulling together. We can't get ahead because of infighting caused by well meaning, but mal-informed, statements such as the one above. Face it; most of bachelor's degree has NOTHING to do with Nursing. I remember the irritation I felt at having to take courses like Art Appreciation or History that had ZERO impact on my Nursing Skills. The really good LPN curriculums teach NURSING at the same level as the RN curriculums. Yes, I know, what I speak is blasphemy in the eyes of many folks who read these boards. But the truth is I learned NOTHING new, pertaining to Nursing, pursuing my BSN that I didn't learn in LPN school. We need to drop the pointless infighting and start pulling together as a profession.

[Wavedancer]

Also I will tell you what brings on this type of bashing.... When people say what do you do? or where do you work??? people say.. "I'm an RN" or "I'm an LVN", what I say is I'm a nurse..... it shouldn't matter a nurse is a nurse is a nurse.

[Q.]

Originally posted by kwalker5

I think the bashing stems from the fact that nursing is so fragmented. What other profession do you know where it's fragmented into 3 distinct categories, yet generalized by the public?

This is going to be my only post on this subject because these threads never accomplish anything other than people getting defensive, making assumptions, and listing off their resumes.

I wanted to comment that I agree with your statement above. In light of this I wanted to share an idea that was first espoused waaayyy back in 1961. It's a shame we haven't moved any further:

...nursing's failure to articulate a distinct (unified) function distinct from medicine, and other professions, has kept nursing on a dependent path. As a result, health admins, medical authorities, and health policies continue to push nursing down a path that has served nonnursing interests.

In other words, we need to NOT have so many levels in nursing. We need ONE. And only WE can change that. No one else. Until we move past the idea that we are there only to follow doctor's orders, we will never move forward. Until we stop cutting corners, we will never move forward. Until we take accountability for ourselves, we will never move forward.

[jschut, BSN, RN]

In my own opinion, and if I were king, I would do away with the LPN curriculum, and require all future nurses to be RN, BSNs. Why?? Because when you raise the standards of a profession, you can command more money, and command more respect from the public as they know you went through lengthy formal education as opposed to a one year community college course.

EXCUSE ME?????

I worked damn hard for my LPN and am a good nurse!

Just because I do not have RN behind my name does not mean I am any less of a nurse!

My standards are high for myself as a nurse and I don't like the insinuation that LPN's aren't as good as RN's.

We are all nurses, here to do the same job. RN's are more educated in nursing, but they do the same job as I do... we ALL CARE for our patients!

Now, as far as my 1 year Community College course...who are you to say I don't get respect because of it? I am still a nurse, aren't I? I still get respect, same as I did BEFORE I went through my one year college course. Getting respect is something one EARNS because of what they are as a person, not because of something they DO.

I suggest you re-evaluate your ideas and perceptions of nursing as a profession AND as a career.

Some of us are happy doing exactly what we do, and are proud to be called a LPN!

Thank you,

Julie LPN

[Wavedancer]

If an LVN is 1st responder to the code you just called on the 24 year old man...... you will glad that you are working with that LVN. When the CNA or what ever you all call nurses aides comes in with you to the 80 y o lady whos compound tib/fib fracture she just got climbing out of bed is bleeding all over your RN, CCRN, ABCD white shoes, you will be glad you work with that CNA. It is a team, you better practice it or you will be left alone when you need help. Help come in all letters.

[hapeewendy]

I think the biggest problem we have in nursing is not letting a topic die already....

this one has run its course

nothing productive has come of it.

I'm not shocked the other thread was closed, people wondered why it got so heated, well duh, the original post was called BASHING LPN's obviously that emotionally charged term was gonna get some attention

the catty nature of nursing swings both ways....

I've heard many RPN's "have at it" on an RN.

and Wavedancer I do agree with what youre saying, but for example last night I heard one of the RPN's saying she wouldnt do the vitals for the team because and I quote "Oh there is an extra RN helping out on the team why should I do the vitals?" and she's not the only one..... and by the way, the reason for said extra RN was to deal with a fresh transfer from the ICU

so yes we all have a role, we are all important, we are all there to work as a team, but the breakdown of any given team is not just the fault of bashing on the parts of RN's.

each division of nursing has its good and its bad

LPN, RPN's are no different

just as there are many bad apple RN's

its dangerous (and angers me greatly) to generalize that RN's "bash" LPN's , what do you think starting a thread called bashing LPN's would accomplish?

[Q.]

To Wendy:

[Brownms46]

:zzzzz