LPN = Life's Perfect Nurse?

Any experienced licensed practical nurse knows that plenty of uninformed people have made fun of the LPN acronym over the years. The intended purpose of this article is to foster positive regard for LPNs in a lighthearted manner. Nurses Announcements Archive Article

LPN = Life's Perfect Nurse?

According to at least one definition, a licensed practical nurse (LPN) is a nurse who has successfully completed a practical nursing program, and has passed the NCLEX-PN, the state licensing exam (Palm Beach State College, n.d.). LPNs have served as vital aspects of the healthcare delivery system in various countries for many years. In addition, a good LPN is certainly worth his/her weight in gold.

However, almost any LPN who has worked in the healthcare field will be able to reaffirm that he/she has seen and heard the cruel remarks about what the LPN acronym is supposed to 'really' represent. Some terribly uninformed people have said that it stands for 'Little Pretend Nurse.' Others have insisted that 'LPN' truly means 'Let's Play Nurse.'

The most shocking part of the story is the fact that some LPNs and registered nurses (RNs) who have problems with low self-confidence have also participated in the mockery of the LPN acronym. One LPN has stated that it stands for the 'Last Person Needed' after having been treated poorly by coworkers at her place of employment. Still, plenty of other nurses have giggled that 'LPN' means 'Licensed Practical Nuisance.'

It should come as no surprise that the nursing profession has a multitude of issues with the outer image that its leaders would like to project. After all, if several members of our own profession are engaging in unprofessional trash-talk about a certain type of nurse in our ranks, how does this truly reflect on us as a whole? This behavior does not paint a professional picture.

I can tell you with certainty that the spiteful comments regarding LPNs are not adding any luster or professionalism to nursing's image. In fact, trash-talking accomplishes nothing positive, and arguably places the nursing profession in a negative light. In a nutshell, we need to stop poking fun at each other. Others will not fully respect nurses until we completely respect ourselves.

Personally, I think that 'LPN' should stand for something more positive. Since licensed practical nurses frequently spend a whole lot of time with their patients and offer them care with a personal touch at the bedside, I think LPNs should be referred to as "Life's Perfect Nurses." I believe they have enough practical knowledge to provide comforting care and professionalism without becoming lost in the sea of political bureaucracy. 'Love Practical Nurses' is another pleasant representation of the LPN acronym since many patients, elderly residents, families, and others have grown to love the nurses who provide the lion's share of the bedside nursing care in certain healthcare settings.

We should do everything humanly possible to strive for respectful treatment of all people who secure employment in the nursing profession. Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants are all vital to nursing and should be treated accordingly. Even though attitudes do not change overnight, each little behavior modification can snowball into an avalanche of huge changes.

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TheCommuter

About TheCommuter, BSN, RN

TheCommuter, BSN, RN, CRRN is a longtime physical rehabilitation nurse who has varied experiences upon which to draw for her articles. She was an LPN/LVN for more than four years prior to becoming a Registered Nurse.

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Ya know what? We have a combo of LPN and RN where I work. In fact we have more LPN. Our LPNs ROCK!!! I totally respect them and never have I heard any RN disparage them. We are a solid team. Of course legally there are some things RNs must do and not LPN. This is the only reason my place has RNs at all...otherwise they would have all LPN ;)

Specializes in LTC Family Practice.

Love it...Life's Perfect Nurses:yelclap:

I truly believe that nursing is a collaborative field that involves a few aspects of nursing levels. With such a wide range of specialties and educational levels as well as experience, it is hard for me to see anyone as "less". We all have our place in nursing if we choose to be in it. What makes the difference is how you feel about your position. If you feel like an LPN or a CNA is less than an RN that is a problem because you are lacking the knowledge that is required for understanding how healthcare works. We all work together for a common goal, the patient.

Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Nice article. It makes me think of some of my classmates back in my BSN program who would refer to LPNs as "licensed bedmakers". I found it particularly offensive because one of my friends is an LPN and she is hardly a "licensed bedmaker". All I can think of now is that I would really hate to work with any of these people with that kind of attiude.

!Chris :specs: