LPN/RN Rumble

[BellaItalianaLPN]

Hello everyone!

I would like to know if anyone has had a similar problem to mine and how you handled it. Well, here it goes...

Last week, on break, I was talking to a friend of mine that works in the kitchen. I said something to the effect of, "Girl, you just don't know. I'm a Nurse so my feet are always barkin'." An RN that works on the same floor as me quickly turns around and snaps, "You're not a Nurse, you're only an LPN." I didn't say anything but I wanted to tell her that I am a Nurse and I wear that title proudly. I may have yet to go back to school to get Registered but I take care of the patients with the same, if not more, care than you do!

I'm just a little taken a back that RN's, the ones that I've encountered, don't respect us LPN's. Why are they are on their high horse and they think they are far more superior? Shouldn't we all ban together for the sake of great patient care instead of trying to form some "Hosptial Caste System". Sometimes I feel so undereducated when they act like I don't matter. I graduated High school and LPN school with a 4.0 and I also got a 1280 on my SAT's. I feel like I have to constantly reiterate that I'm not this complete ignorant Nurse that the RN's portray me to be. Ok, I may have only one year of post-high school education, but I wanted to start at the bottom of the totem pole and work my way up.

I feel that LPN's are being marginalized by the RN's (in my hospital. I don't want to generalize).

How can I handle this situation? I hate being emotionally weak because it really does hurt. Do you consider LPN's "not real nurses"?

[ann945n, RN]

People who put down others have their own insecurities they are trying to hide. I wouldnt let it give you the time of day or waste of your time, this RN obviously has some issues that do not concern you. Though its still hateful and hurtful to hear

[I1tobern]

You are never "just" anything, unless you allow yourself to be; I'm an RN with three years experience, and I can tell you that, I can't stand it when this kind of things happen;

Hugs to you; Don't let one person's bad attitude define who you are.

[RNOTODAY, BSN, RN]

Well, as far as I am concerned, SHE was the ignorant one!!! Her statement was patently false. LpN's *are* nurses.... ( I know you know that... lol)

Lpn vs RN is a whole other argument, but the point she was apparently trying to make was rediculous.... Now, if you were a CNA, and said you were a nurse, she would have an argument......but does she really think LPN's are *not*nurses?

uggggghhhh... some people....

[dekatn]

Things like this are just human nature, there is always going to be somebody out there in this big ole world that thinks they are just a little better than somebody else. You have to be comfortable in your own skin.

This reminds me of when I was in grade school, growing up we were poor as poor can get. My parents were divorced which was one strike against me because way back then, believe it or not, divorce was a taboo, people just didn't get divorced. I wore clothes from the dollar store, which were looked down upon by some of the higher class students, my dad was one of the towns finest, not police offficer, but alcoholic, when he worked he was a mechanic, or as the others called him, "a grease monkey". My mother was one of the most co dependent people I have ever known in my life, she married a man that abused us terribly, we didn't have the laws then that exist now to protect children from idiots and abusive people. If we did they didn't apply to the likes of us, I actually had a principle at school look at my wounds one day and just shake her head. Nothing was done.The other kids looked down on us because we just weren't "good enough". I should mention that my sister and I both had mostly straight A's through out school, but that didn't matter as far as class.It didn't matter how smart you were, but what you wore and where you came from, what your dad did for a living and how big your house was.

What I'm trying to say, is, it doesn't matter what other people say or think, it's what you are inside that counts, it's what you think and know that matters.

I had no encouragement from anyone to further my education, it was taken for granted that I would continue the legacy and work in a factory until I died. I broke the chain, went into nursing, the day I graduated, my family wasn't there. My husband and children were there, it was one of the proudest days of my life. I feel good about myself, that's what matters.

There is always going to be somebody out there that is going to try and bring you down and degrade you, make you feel less than a person. That is their own insecurities, not yours, they do this to make themselves feel good. Don't give another person that much control over your feelings. Be who you are and be proud of what you accomplish, whether it is LPN or MSN, regardless, you have worked hard to get where you are, don't allow someone to take that away. You know what you are that's all that matters, be proud and work hard you won't be sorry. Who knows what that other person is inside, all of us have insecurities we have to deal with, some of us just deal with them different. Obviously this person that made this comment to you, deals with hers by attacking others, she needs our sympathy not our anger. Good luck to you, be the best nurse you can be and I apologize for this lengthy tirade. I just get angry with all this I'm an RN your an LPN, I'm better than you crap.

[VIXEN007]

I am in an RN, ASN program. I have a B.S. in something else. I plan to go for an RN, MSN after graduating. I would never treat anyone like that. I would never tell a housekeeper, you are just a housekeeper. I think that people who do that are insecure and just mean. I believe that LPNs, RNs, LVNs, are all nurses. I do sort of wonder why M.A.s are referred to as nurses instead of assistants.

That is where the real issue is. I have been a patient and I would take an experienced LPN over an inexperienced RN whatever anyday. In the end, the patients are what matter. I thought we were all supposed to be taking care of the patients and each other and not being spiteful.

[VIXEN007]

Sometimes an Osteopath will tell me, "I am just a D.O." I always ask them why do they belittle their hard-earned status? I think people should speak up more. You can whip someone's butt politely and with a smile on your face.

[MissPiggy]

Some of the best nurses I have ever met were "just" LPN's

For sure. I feel that we are all colleagues and that anyone who discriminates must have some kind of insecurity. Hang in there.

[withasmilelpn]

I would have a lot of fun at her expense. Like next time she needs assistance, 'why don't you get a nurse for that?". If I was feeling vindictive and spiteful that is, I might even have a conversation with another supportive RN how isn't it crazy how some RNs think LPNs aren't nurses in front of her. Just kidding- sort of! Depends if I'm in that kind of mood. (And if I really didn't like her!) Usually I just calmly educate people about the true difference regarding scope of practice and educational requirements. You'd be surprised how many RNs are not truly aware of what our scope is. Also, alot of times, it is the facility itself that puts limits on what we are allowed to do, not using us to the best of our abilities (which I feel is shortsighted on their part!) I've even educated the management, producing our and the RNs scope. I love telling people, hey surprise, I went to college too, first for English/Art then Nursing after I discovered I really liked caring for people as a CNA. $ reasons steared me towards an LPN program, so I know first hand many of the differences in curriculum. LPN school is boot camp nursing, really. I know many would be surprised at how difficult it can be. RNs definitely delve deeper into A&P, but much of what we do doesn't require that truthfully. (Although I enjoy that part of nursing and try to keep myself educated!) Hold your head up high and don't worry about her ok?!

[banditrn]

This 'LPN versus RN' debate has been discussed ad nauseam on this website and, frankly, it is making me want to vomit.

I am an LVN who has worked very hard to attain that particular title. I provide nursing care to the best of my ability, attempt to be nice to my patients, and seek out opportunities to learn new things. As long as I am not doing anything to hurt my patients or coworkers, I wish to be left alone.

I fully know that I am not an RN, and am not attempting to validate myself by saying that I can run circles around them. The scopes of practice have differences that I can respect and appreciate. There's no need to insult or verbally accost those who are perceived to have lesser education. Nursing will always be splintered because of the constant game of upmanship, where one nurse is always belittling other nurses in a caustic manner. I seriously doubt that nursing will ever experience the same unity enjoyed by other professions.

I like your attitude! I fail to see why anyone should feel the need to apologize for being an LPN. Back in the old days as a new grad at the hospital, some of the older LPN's guided and showed me what to do - I'd have been lost without them.

Over the years, I've met a few lousy LPN's - and just as many lousy RN's. And in the past year, working in LTC, I have come across some super LPN's who have my total respect!!:flowersfo

[TNUp2Jen]

I agree with someone here that said this is a neverending battle. As a student nurse, there was always "one bad apple" that would make some comment like, "you're only a student, what do you know". I'm sure the janitorial staff gets hit on like this a lot, along with the people who work in the cafeteria or at the receptionists desk.

I think the best thing about this is that it can force to look at how you treat people and remember how badly you felt when someone looked down on you "just because".

[SaraO'Hara]

She then proceeded to tell the patient that if she didn't calm down she was going to restrain her.

Nevermind all the other cockamamie things that nurse did.... I do believe that threatening a patient with restraints is assault.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

Eleanor Roosevelt said "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

I work with an LPN who has worked on my floor for 33 years and has forgotten more than I will ever know, probably. I routinely ask her for help because I know that she knows more than me.

There are lousy LPNs, lousy RNs, lousy housekeepers, lousy cops, the list could keep going. Hold your head up and be proud of what you are.