I have been an lpn for 13 years now, I am a successful lpn living in an rn world. I know you guys can appreciate this one. I have to share it with someone. I am a nurse manager and am responsible for many RNS . Recently in the past two years, another lpn and I have managed our floors, held people to task. And we were defiency free last year, and received no G tags this year. And according to our company we have done better than anybody in our company. WE are just little peons. Corporate came in and said we need to get our rns . But yet none of the other SNF's with rn unit managers has accomplished what we have. I think a good nurse is a nurse that does the following, care, think , react, and have good documentation. And always research , and ask if you dont know. I am going to school to get my RN . But I feel I will be the same nurse I have always been. I just can legally say someone is dead. how nice. I get to do an rn pronoucement. I just think the good lpns . Cause we all know just cause your a nurse, doesnt really make you a nurse! To all you lpns out there , keep your chins up and held high ! love you all!!!!!!
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
What does the initials "BC" stand for? Was curious about that in order to comprehend the conversation a bit further.
I think that the point of frustration for LPNs is that it is perceived that one has not really become a *nurse* until they have obtained their RN. And, LPNs, traditionally, have been viewed as less than competent, not as knowledgable or not even counted.
My best friend is an RN and because of our friendship, she is very sensitive to LPN insults because our friendship. She told me a few days ago that she went to a floor (she is an admission nurse) and heard the RNs complaining that they were short of staff. An LPN was administering meds and she asked the RNs how many staff did they have. They counted themselves and the CNAs and my friend said "Well, you have an LPN administering medications and doing fingersticks" and their quoted response was "Oh, she doesn't count". Does anyone think that the LPN who heard that response felt great that night?
Also, I do support the idea of LPNs advancing to RN if they want to...which is the key difference to me. One should not be made to feel that because they have chosen not to, that they are failures as people, do not contribute positively to the health care team or are not worth acknowledging.
I do get the point for sure, about the advantages of becoming an RN...more mobility, better variety of job choices, etc, and it is okay to mention that. What I am hoping for is that the deep setted passion between the LPNs and RNs prevent us from communicating in a positive manner in this forum. Let's try use this resource to better understand comprehend and work more effectively with each other.
BC is the abbreviation for British Columbia, Canada's most western province.
I understand and have experienced the deep seeded conflicts between varying levels of nurses. I work hard to communicate effectively with the entire team and to do the best I can for the patients in my care. And that also means understanding what each professional does so that the care can be coordinated efficiently. And if an LPN is greater at a certain aspect of care than I am, I have no problem admitting that. LPNs are highly trained and educated to work within their scope of practice, just as RNs are. We need to mutually respect what each does.
I'm sorry that your friend had to experience such terrible disrespect. LPNs indeed are an integral part of patient care and should be recongized for their great contributions to patient care. Some nurses aren't up to date on the value of each type of nurse so we need to *kindly* remind each other what it is we indeed do. It should never be out of malice, but of understand. Always.
Specializes in LTC, Neurology, Rehab, Pain Management,.
The RN/LPN "us against them," has been ongoing and will go on forever. What is truly boils down to is knowing what is legal in your scope of practice and being competent and safe. Unfortunately all walks of health care personnel become complacent and this is unsafe. I've witnessed the new employees want to kiss up to the boss and look good, while trying to do less work, or doing less of what they don't like doing. I've seen the elder's in nursing who make the most money, but are getting so physically unable to handle keeping up with the pace, that they can't seem to afford to retire. Then, there's the rest of us taking up the slack for everyone else and not getting recognized for our hard labors. When was the last time your boss said to you, "good job?" The only time we hear anything is when we've done something wrong. Not the 90% of what we do right. It's exhausting, but nevertheless has helped me to build a thick skin.
As an LPN who is now going for my RN on line (please don't laugh) I know about the world you speak of. I have found my world (long term care-converted to rehab) a very challenging world. I know I will never be the Trauma nuse on E.R......but I want to be more than I am now! TPN!! in a rehab/long term care setting? YES! I want that training and knowledge! As a LPN supervisor, I do almost all of what the R.N's do who work beside me! It is time I stepped up and ask for the job I do and get the pay! LOL
how nice. I get to do an rn pronoucement. I just think the good lpns . Cause we all know just cause your a nurse, doesnt really make you a nurse! To all you lpns out there , keep your chins up and held high ! love you all!!!!!! 
pagandeva2000, LPN
7,984 Posts
What does the initials "BC" stand for? Was curious about that in order to comprehend the conversation a bit further.
I think that the point of frustration for LPNs is that it is perceived that one has not really become a *nurse* until they have obtained their RN. And, LPNs, traditionally, have been viewed as less than competent, not as knowledgable or not even counted.
My best friend is an RN and because of our friendship, she is very sensitive to LPN insults because our friendship. She told me a few days ago that she went to a floor (she is an admission nurse) and heard the RNs complaining that they were short of staff. An LPN was administering meds and she asked the RNs how many staff did they have. They counted themselves and the CNAs and my friend said "Well, you have an LPN administering medications and doing fingersticks" and their quoted response was "Oh, she doesn't count". Does anyone think that the LPN who heard that response felt great that night?
Also, I do support the idea of LPNs advancing to RN if they want to...which is the key difference to me. One should not be made to feel that because they have chosen not to, that they are failures as people, do not contribute positively to the health care team or are not worth acknowledging.
I do get the point for sure, about the advantages of becoming an RN...more mobility, better variety of job choices, etc, and it is okay to mention that. What I am hoping for is that the deep setted passion between the LPNs and RNs prevent us from communicating in a positive manner in this forum. Let's try use this resource to better understand comprehend and work more effectively with each other.