Why do so many people insist that LPN'S AREN'T REAL NURSES!!??

pickledpepperRN · Sep 16, 2006

Originally Posted by ckben
I think that kind of attitude is really sad. I have a bachelor's degree in nursing, and from my point of view, the ONLY thing that determines whether you are a good nurse or not is the kind of person you are. Not your education or your license, just your personality.

I must apologize. I misread this to mean that a caregiver could be a good nurse without a license to practice nursing.

Now I see you meant LVN/LPN/RN .

Absolutely all nurses!

DusktilDawn · Sep 17, 2006

Why do so many people insist that LPNs aren't nurses? Because the ANA said so.
It's 1965 "Educational preparation for nurse practitioners and assistants to nurses: a position paper," stated that vocational education should be for the training of "assistants to nurses".
That position paper advocated the complete elimination of diploma programs and the removal of the title, nurse, from vocational programs.
And, it is widely taught in nursing schools. I myself was told, in 1991, that "The role of LPN/LVN as nurses would be eliminated within ten years."
So, thank the ANA and the Ivory Tower for this jewel of propaganda.
~faith,
Timothy.

Unfortunately the same attitutes and divisions are prevalent within Canada's nursing organizations when it comes to LPNs/RPNs.

moodychick, LPN · Sep 17, 2006

Hi,

I've been an LPN for 34 years; and now, at the ripe age of 56, I'm attempting to get my RN. I can tell you that for all of the 34 years of nursing at the LPN level, I always ran into someone who didn't think an LPN was a nurse. These people ran the gamut of current nurse manager to an Na or two. I have to say I've been in informal discussions with a nurse educator and several RN's only to have the nurse educator turn her back to me and address the others as if I didn't exist. It's been a long 34 years; but, hopefully, when I get my RN. I won't act the same way. I will appreciate any LPN's working with me!

mamason · Sep 17, 2006

I worked with an LPN on a cardiac floor. She pretty much pulled the same weight as the RN's did. She was a good nurse. Some of the other RN's would make snide remarks about her not being a RN. I thought it was horrible. THey thought that since she was a LPN, then she should get a heavier pt load than the RN. Didn't make much sense to me but, I was a new grad at the time. The new manager, who was a previous LPN, got rid of her on some ridiculous charge of violating an employee's privacy. It was BS and everyone knew it was. It was a shame. I recently ran into her at another facillity. She actually took care of my mother after a knee replacement. When I realized that she was in charge of my mother's care, I knew that my mom was going to be in good hands. And my mother recovered nicely from her surgery. The LPN stated that she is happy now in her new position and her company treats her well.

So, yes, I think that LPN'S are REAL nurses.:wink2:

walkiez · Sep 17, 2006

Would the LPN'S out there consider a 'Dental Nurse' a real nurse? What defines a real nurse. It's often hierarchial; an RN of 3-4years training to obtain a degree doesn't want to be compaired with someone who attended school for

Not many patients even know the difference between an LPN and RN. To them, a nurse is a nurse.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2006

Im not sure what to think about this post ....If the dental nurse is a LVN or RN then yes, but an assistant then no. You cant call yourself a nurse if your not one legally. Thats kinda common sense. Everyone works hard in their nursing program whether it be 1.5 yrs or 3-4 years.. PLEASE lets dont get started on comparing the LVN and RN profession ...I dont think I have the strength:banghead:

Would the LPN'S out there consider a 'Dental Nurse' a real nurse? What defines a real nurse. It's often hierarchial; an RN of 3-4years training to obtain a degree doesn't want to be compaired with someone who attended school for
Not many patients even know the difference between an LPN and RN. To them, a nurse is a nurse.

pickledpepperRN · Sep 17, 2006

I had to look it up.

It seems a "dental nurse" is called a "dental assistant" in California:

http://www.nhscareers.nhs.uk/nhs-knowledge_base/data/4671.html

They are not licensed, they do not function independently. The supervising dentist is responsible for knowing their competency.

If I'm not mistaken it is similar to a medical assistant. In California ONLY a registered nurse (RN) or licensed vocational nurse (LVN) may be referred to as a nurse.

http://www.rn.ca.gov/forms/pdf/brn299.pdf#search=%22California%20nurse%20title%20protection%2C%20name%20tag%20law%22

A Dental hygienist is licensed with similar education options as RNs. They clean teeth, teach, administer ordered medications and teach.

OB_or_NICU_hopeful · Sep 17, 2006

I honestly don't know too much about phasing out LPNs, but in my area I would not get hired in my desired area with only an LPN. It's just a fact. It honestly seems like you need a BSN to do anything at this point.

It seems that LPNs are forced in to LTC facilities around here.

grace90, LPN, LVN · Sep 18, 2006

Please do not denigrate another health care profession, in an attempt to elevate nurses. Physical therapy has its own challenges, and the PTA programs teach a lot more that "walking patients around the unit or exercising".
Saying that PTAs just walk people is like saying that nurses just hand out pills willy nilly,per the MD orders.

I agree. Thank you for saying so!

PANurseRN1 · Sep 18, 2006

I agree. We diminish our profession every time we belittle our colleagues.

parrotmom · Sep 18, 2006

Have to say this same vein of discussion exists in a lot of health care professions. I have heard the LVN phase out rumor just as I have heard they are getting rid of EMT-Intermediates (don't exist everywhere) and everyone will need to be a paramedic. The public either compare EMT's as ambulance drivers or have watched too much TLC and thinks everyone is a paramedic. LVN's provide a valuable service and definitely runn rings around many new RN grads. here in OKlahoma they do primarily long term though there are one or two in the ER and several in each department excepting OB at the small hospital here in our town. That all being said, most metro areas in this state do not use LVN's in the hospital setting, messes up their clinical ladder I guess. I say hooray for LVN's, we can not do this without them. Incidentally, 2 semester program at the votech in Oklahoma as is a medical assistant. The healthcare director at the vo tech here told me they train the MA's to work in dr's office/clinic and LVN's for floor work and warn them that LTC will pay better around here than at the hospital.

Midwest4me · Sep 18, 2006

Lowly paid nurses, Licensed Pathetic Nurses, Limited Practice Nurses, etc etc. Whatever you want to call them , I love them. They got me through my first year, continue to be my best friends, and gave me great job references when I left.
I learned quickly what the different technical aspects were of our licensing (the biggest came down to central lines and iv pushes). I developed a very open relationship with the LPN's on nights where they would come to me with the things they were unlicensed to do and in exchange I could ask them to do just about anything for me anytime. They really hated always having to beg an RN to do something for them prior to me being hired. I just made myself available to them.
They really bailed me out a few times as I was on a serious learning curve being new. These LPN's all had 16-30 years experience where my experience was counted in days/weeks/finally in months. None ever hesitated to help me as I never hesitated to help them.
With this I found that their school also taught a whole different type of approach to nursing. RN school is very technical. They try to teach about caregiving etc, but the LPN school here really digs in on a personal level and these nurses have a whole different mindset about the patient that the RN's just dont' get. (It's a bedside manner thing that I can't find the words to explain)
The other thing the LPN's never seem to have is an 'attitude'. They aren't afraid to ask for help, they never act better than anybody, and they are really just down to earth friendly people. Is it any wonder I got along best with them?
Other RN's would gripe when they were put in 'charge of ALL the patients' because they were assigned to nights with only LPN's. It is true that I had to learn what I was responsible for regarding the LPN's patients but the truth was, she was caregiving on her own license. I told my manager that she could assign me with the LPN's anytime.
Perhaps they are Life's Perfect Nurses.

Bless your heart!:wink2: What a nice, supportive post yours was---thank you--I especialy like your last statement. I haven't encountered too many negative comments toward me as an LPN but when I do, I hasten to also add my additional education (BS, Psych)---guess I feel I HAVE to (which is sad).