LPN = Life's Perfect Nurses

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I'm sure that you all have heard the negative comments made about LPNs. Some people call us "Little Play Nurses," "Low Paid Nurses," and "Let's Pretend Nurses." A small handful of RNs have mentioned that we're incapable of thinking critically, and so forth. I think it is time for some positive feedback regarding LPNs, because we do occupy an important place in the healthcare system.

Since we frequently spend a whole lot of time with our patients and can offer them care with the personal touch, I think we should be referred to as "Life's Perfect Nurses." I believe we have enough practical knowledge to provide comforting care without becoming lost in the sea of bureaucracy. Does anyone agree, or wish to comment?

Specializes in L&D, Orthopedics & Public Health.
:twocents: Hello! According to recent studies, the nurse spends 1.7 hours out the 12 hour shift with the pt. All the other time is spent documenting, hunting down supplies/doctors!! What a shame. I am an R.N. and in nursing school I was employed as a nursing student/cna on a post cabg unit. I believe the cna's get to spend the most time with the patient. If you want opinions on critical thinking skills, I believe an lpn who has been practicing for multiple years has developed critical thinking skills. However, comparing a newly grad lpn and a newly grad rn, I believe the newly grad rn has the upper hand on critical thinking skills. This is because lpn tech schools focus mostly on accomplishing an actual task, and less on disease process. I do know one thing for sure, from doctors to housekeeping- it takes them all!!:thankya:

I have to disagree with you on the new grad LPN and RN critical thinking skills. The university that I received my PN from also has a BSN program and here where I live, majority of the employers have stated that they would much rather hire one of us LPN students over the BSN students due to the fact that we have to complete so many more hour of clinicals than they do. They've stated that the BSN students have the book smarts, but the LPN students have and show the street smarts. That we showed more energy and want to learn and take on tasks that the BSNs didn't. I do beleive that it depends on the school that you go to, how it was taught to you and what kind of person you are, not the credentials behind your name. :twocents:

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Specializes in been there, done it.

Hello, I could not resist posting a comment. I've been an LPN for 20 odd years and never have I been as frustrated as I am now. Here's where the frustration part takes place. I work in a hospital where they are trying to go all RNs,(they tried this before and it didn't work). I'm a darn good LPN and I have a wide range of experiences. But because I have LPN behind my name they have practically told me I am worth nothing to them in the hospital setting. I've worked with many RN's and there have been many who can't start an IV or put in a cath or even do a tube feeding and guess who they've asked. ME! and I've confronted them on it. The excuses i have received are "I don't know how", "I don't have time" (like I'm just standing around) and even "that's your job." I've even had them turn around and ask me what I think about a pt situation, relay it to the DR. and get the credit. So yes there's a fine line between LPN and RN. A few more months and what the board of nursing tells you can and can not do, so what, if you still can't do the job. Just how hard is it to push an IV meds (i use saline to flush an IV). I think they should allow LPNs (those with over 10 years of work history) to take boards if they pass, great you got a RN ,if not, no harm done. Don't disregard my work history, it's worth as much as 2-4 years of school and then maybe there wouldn't be a RN shortage. You gain insight from school and knowledge from your training. Please I'm not knocking RN's but I am knocking the institutions that are belittling the LPN's. I didn't get into nursing for the money but because I cared and wanted to make a difference and not be maded the difference because of my education. Please don,t say Idon't know what I'm talking about beause I have many family members who are RN's and the first thing out of there mouth is the money. Am I:nurse: making a Difference?

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Why not have ALL nurses start with the LPN curriculum? Anything extra for RNs would be taught AFTER the LPN portion. I know some RN programs do this, but many do not. If all programs did that, though, it would be much clearer to everyone where the education for RNs and LPNs differed. And it would be easier for LPNs to progress to RN because all RN programs would directly build up the LPN curriculum creating more consistency in bridge programs.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I've decided to take the path of least resistance, which involves pursuing the RN licensure. Although I'm finding opportunities, flexibility, and income with my LPN/LVN designation, I realize that some members of society will always bestow more credibility upon the person whose license has more rank on the professional food chain. At 27 years of age, I am still fairly young. If I intend to stay in this field for another 30 years, I will need to do so with the 'RN' title.

A few weeks ago, one of my patients had a hatred for LPNs. He even spit on an LPN who was providing care for him, which caused her to cry.

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Specializes in Hospice, ALF, Prison.

Whada ya think about this for another slogan?

LPN's Put Care into Nursing.

:redbeathe

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Whada ya think about this for another slogan?

LPN's Put Care into Nursing.

:redbeathe

I appreciate the sentiment :D but doesn't that sorta imply that other nurses (RNs) DON'T care as much? :eek:

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Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.
I appreciate the sentiment :D but doesn't that sorta imply that other nurses (RNs) DON'T care as much? :eek:

yes it does .. i am a RN and i care very much for my patients... i was a LPN along time and understand where all the LPN's are coming from.... but being a RN now i haven't changed caring for people because i am a RN ... i do all i can for my patients to make their hospital stay comfertable and go well..

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Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.
Hello, I could not resist posting a comment. I've been an LPN for 20 odd years and never have I been as frustrated as I am now. Here's where the frustration part takes place. I work in a hospital where they are trying to go all RNs,(they tried this before and it didn't work). I'm a darn good LPN and I have a wide range of experiences. But because I have LPN behind my name they have practically told me I am worth nothing to them in the hospital setting. I've worked with many RN's and there have been many who can't start an IV or put in a cath or even do a tube feeding and guess who they've asked. ME! and I've confronted them on it. The excuses i have received are "I don't know how", "I don't have time" (like I'm just standing around) and even "that's your job." I've even had them turn around and ask me what I think about a pt situation, relay it to the DR. and get the credit. So yes there's a fine line between LPN and RN. A few more months and what the board of nursing tells you can and can not do, so what, if you still can't do the job. Just how hard is it to push an IV meds (i use saline to flush an IV). I think they should allow LPNs (those with over 10 years of work history) to take boards if they pass, great you got a RN ,if not, no harm done. Don't disregard my work history, it's worth as much as 2-4 years of school and then maybe there wouldn't be a RN shortage. You gain insight from school and knowledge from your training. Please I'm not knocking RN's but I am knocking the institutions that are belittling the LPN's. I didn't get into nursing for the money but because I cared and wanted to make a difference and not be maded the difference because of my education. Please don,t say Idon't know what I'm talking about beause I have many family members who are RN's and the first thing out of there mouth is the money. Am I:nurse: making a Difference?

this post goes both ways , i worked with LPN's who ask me to do everything for them.. start IV's and hang 0.45% and do their perpheriphal draws and take full advantage of me being their charge nurse.. i find it disgusting and think i am their personal lackey ... they treat me as if i have nothing to do.. even though i am the only RN doing all the pushes for LPN's on other hallways.... i also had a LPN scream at me last week because i didn't jump at her will to do something for her.... i told her i am busy and will do it later.. she was ******... this is my parttime job

so this post goes both ways.... there is good and bad people in everyjob... now in my full time job i am charge nurse at a hospital , where i work with 6 RN's ( we donot hire LPN's ) and all the RN's do their own work and i never hear a peep from them...

i have nothing aaginst LPN's and have been one for 22 years before becoming a RN... i love most of the LPN's i work with and think they are awesome.. but i have also been taken avantage of by LPN's by expecting me to do their work because i am a RN....

the LPN's i worked with the oher day saw i was very busy i had 3 people getting blood .. and they still asked me to start their iv's and hang the stupid iv fluid .. they sat on their butts.. i told one of them " hang your own iv fluid" and she stormed up and said your the RN .. i said " do it yourself" after and hour of talking on her cell phone .. she did...

i find some( i stress some ) of the LPN's i work . lazy and needy.... just like the RN's you worked with.. the world is made up of all kinds...

i love you all , and i am sorry if i offended anyone... i do love you all ...and i respect you :yeah::heartbeat

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Specializes in been there, done it.

I NEVER MEANT TO KNOCK ANY NURSE REGARDLESS OF TITLE, I WAS HOWEVER VENTING A LITTLE BECAUSE I DID WORK THE OTHER NITE WITH A SORRY NURSE WHO HAPPEN TO BE A RN AND I HURT MY BACK.:sniff: BUT A THOUGHT DID OCCUR TO ME. WITH THE SHORTAGE OF NURSES MOSTLY RNS IF THEY DID AWAY WITH ALL LPNS FORCING US TO CHANGE PROFESSIONS, IF THERE WAS NO LPN WHAT DO YOU THINK IT WOULD DO TO RN PAY? I THINK IT WOULD DROP BIG TIME, SUPPLY AND DEMAND WOULD NOT BE THERE. YOU WOULD WORK FOR WHAT THEY OFFERED BECAUSE EVERYONE WOULD BE THE SAME, EXCEPT FOR EXPERIENCE AND THEN ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS CONSIDER THE COST OVER EXPERIENCE. RAISES WOULD BE LESS BECAUSE AS WE ALL KNOW, HOSPITALS FOLLOW SUIT. THEN WHAT IF THEY MAKE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 2 YEAR AND 4 YEAR DEGREE? THE 2 YEARS WOULD BE TREATED THE WAY THE LPNS ARE BEING TREATED. THERE ALREADY MAKING A DIFFERENCE NOW, IT JUST NOT MADE KNOWN YET. ANY FEED BACK ON THIS THOUGHT?:typing

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Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.
I NEVER MEANT TO KNOCK ANY NURSE REGARDLESS OF TITLE, I WAS HOWEVER VENTING A LITTLE BECAUSE I DID WORK THE OTHER NITE WITH A SORRY NURSE WHO HAPPEN TO BE A RN AND I HURT MY BACK.:sniff: BUT A THOUGHT DID OCCUR TO ME. WITH THE SHORTAGE OF NURSES MOSTLY RNS IF THEY DID AWAY WITH ALL LPNS FORCING US TO CHANGE PROFESSIONS, IF THERE WAS NO LPN WHAT DO YOU THINK IT WOULD DO TO RN PAY? I THINK IT WOULD DROP BIG TIME, SUPPLY AND DEMAND WOULD NOT BE THERE. YOU WOULD WORK FOR WHAT THEY OFFERED BECAUSE EVERYONE WOULD BE THE SAME, EXCEPT FOR EXPERIENCE AND THEN ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS CONSIDER THE COST OVER EXPERIENCE. RAISES WOULD BE LESS BECAUSE AS WE ALL KNOW, HOSPITALS FOLLOW SUIT. THEN WHAT IF THEY MAKE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 2 YEAR AND 4 YEAR DEGREE? THE 2 YEARS WOULD BE TREATED THE WAY THE LPNS ARE BEING TREATED. THERE ALREADY MAKING A DIFFERENCE NOW, IT JUST NOT MADE KNOWN YET. ANY FEED BACK ON THIS THOUGHT?:typing

no problem i think there is "sorry" people in every profession ... thats the point i was trying to make.... No there is no difference in the way a 2 year RN is treated different than a 4 year RN .. we both take the same boards and are RN's ... there is a difference in LPN boards .... A RN is a RN wether 2 year or 4 year.. the pay is the same .. in my state.... i don't think the pay is much different between a 2 year and 4 year in most states....

Our hospital is now getting magnet status and we asked them about being a BSN or ADN and they told us in our meeting after meeting ... that they don't care as long as you have a RN license...

in the hospital i work we get a raise every 6 mos and a yearly retention bonus of $2,400.00 due in november.. i get another raise in dec... sign on bonuses for RN 's is $5.000.00 day shift for one year and $10,000.00 night shift...

Nursing is great industry we will never be out of work as many people are and we all get paid good... i made great money as a LPN , and i loved being a LPN but i wanted to get paid for all i did ... i was doing almost the same thing as a RN for $11.00 less an hour..

took 5 years for nursing school , had a set of twins ( to make a total of 6 kids) during school and kept on truckin....i am happy being a RN i enjoy my job and i must admit i am grateful for not having any money problems and we are having our pool and spa put in next summer.( finally)

RN's and LPN's work very hard in school and yes LPN's are Life's perfect Nurses and i know many RN's that are Life's Perfect Nurses ... :yeah::nurse:

oh i don't think they will ever not have LPN's .. the hospitals maynot be hiring .. but there are lots of jobs out there for LPN's it is not a dying breed

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Specializes in been there, done it.

MY, MY, KIZZYKATLOVE, 6 CHILDREN HOW IN THE WORLD DID YOU HAVE TIME LET-A-LONE ENERGY TO GO BACK TO SCHOOL? I THOUGHT ABOUT SCHOOL SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I LIKED ONLY 4 SUBJECTS TO BE ABLE TO GO INTO THE RN PROGRAM BUT I GOT PREGNANT BACK TO BACK, HAD SOME PROBLEMS AND WELL NOW I WOULD HAVE TO REPEAT EVERYTHING AND WELL NOW I WOULD LOVE TO GET INTO COMPUTERS/ELECTRONIC SOMEWHERE IN THAT AREA. THERE IS REALLY GOOD MONEY IN THAT TOO. BUT IF YOU GOT ANY SECRETS......PLEASE SHARE?!!...........:bow::D:clown:

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Each title is overworked, in my opinion, and I have seen RNs disrespected as equally as LPNs. This may be why there is a pecking order...who knows?? However, because I observed this for many years, I didn't think that becoming an RN would end the nitpicking, petty, backstabbing and belittling experiences that all members of the nursing team, may they be LPN, RN, or CNA experience.

I believe that a person should become an RN if they have learned and experienced all that they can, and they see an end to the road where the only way for more opportunities and advancement is to become an RN. Even if it is for the money, that is fine! But, I don't think that a person should become one just to earn respect, because that must come from within, first and foremost! I support the friends that wish to become RNs if I see that they feel stagnated. There are some friends that wish to pursue it that are failing miserably as LPNs...those, I shudder at the thought of them acquiring more responsibility because they are irresponsible and unsafe practitioners.

Bottom line is to do you. Just be safe and understand the role of the RN.

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