LPN to RN?

[Bess87]

Hi all!

I'm an LPN with a year of excellent experience (I work on a medsurge/oncology floor at a busy hospital). I always said I would stay an LPN, I had no desire to got for my RN, so on and so forth. But I never realized how LPNs are treated! I put in all of the work, stress and tears of nursing school to be looked down on by petients/fellow nurses because of 1 less year of training. I still have no desire to go for my RN...but have unwillingly started my pre-reqs (A&P, Micro, and Chem). Thoughts?

[libran1984, ASN, RN]

I, an LPN, work in a level III Emergency Department, and took report from a nearby ECF for a patient who already arrived. The big things that stuck out were these items: Hip fx 3 weeks ago and followed up with surgery. Currently, is having difficulty breathing. To me this sounds like a classic PE. The nurse on the other line wasn't sure what to make of it. I thanked her for calling and providing us with said information. I then shared this information with the primary RN taking care of this patient. That RN was shocked no one seemed to think of PE earlier at the ECF. The charge nurse said to the primary RN, "Its an ECF, what do you expect?"

The Primary RN lifted her notepad up to mouth and said, "Well, you know why that is, don't you? They're not real nurses"

I huff at the RN and say, "excuse me, I'm right here. I lift my badge up and point. I'm an LPN too."

"Well, I know that" she apologetically says. "That's why you're working here with us."

I begin to go on a giant tirade. "Its not all their fault they don't automatically think what we see as obvious. No one gives them the proper training. The nursing homes are so busy and chaotic no one gives them time to think like that! They would be just as smart and amazing as anyone of us if they worked here and we would be running around like chickens with our heads cut off if we worked there."

I storm off and go prepare for a PE protocol for this nice, frail, elderly patient

Because of ignorant comments like those and the general trend in my ER to diminish the value, I, an LPN, bring to the Department, I've applied to an LPN to RN bridge and hope to hear back before 10/05. I am a real nurse, and I'm better than that ignorant, new grad RN in every possible way! My experience and clinical knowledge blows her out of the water and I will have those RN letters behind my name to make sure everyone knows I'm not just her equal in title but when inspected more closely, my superior work and nursing skills will outshine her in every way!

[Bess87]

thank you! I have no problem being an LPN-I know what I'm doing, my patient care is superb-but some (definitely not all) RNs make it their job to be demeaning.

[Kimynurse]

Just my two cents, I'm a LPN on a rehab floor, of a LTC, and we would of recognized a PE.

I found your comment a little insulting.