Published Apr 2, 2007
mammaoftwo
183 Posts
:angryfire I overheard a comment today passing in the halls at school that only lower class people that can't become RN's become LPN's.
You know how when you hear something and you can't hardly believe what you heard???
I cannot believe the mentality of some people!!
TazziRN, RN
6,487 Posts
Not in my world, they're not!!!!
WickedRedRN, BSN, RN
609 Posts
Some people always feel the need to assert their own sense of self importance, usually at the expense of those they feel are beneath them. I kind of look at it like this....what a pity they feel so insecure they have to do this. I am an LPN and work with a great group of LPN's and RN's. Yes there are a couple of folks like you mentioned, but I generally pay no attention to them. Sometimes ingnorance is incurable. There are LPN's I would let take care of me before I would want an RN working on me.
Sorry you overheard the judgemental comment....whoever said that has a lot to learn when he/she gets out of school
dmarie (GA)
164 Posts
It's a shame --- people can be so unenlightened and ignorant.
All workers in the health care setting contribute something important, and we all work together as a team. It makes me sad that our own team members seek to divide us. It's true that RN's have more education and a different scope of practice, but that certainly doesn't mean LPN's don't have valuable skills too. We all have the same goal of providing good patient care. We all get our hands dirty day to day, work long hours, and bust our butts to make sure patients are comfortable, healthy, and safe. All nurses sacrifice time, energy, and tears for their jobs -- whether LPN or RN.
The fact of the matter is, some women, because of money constraints or family obligations, choose the LPN route, not because they aren't "smart" enough or good enough to take the RN route, but because life happens.
And many LPN's choose to further their education, with lots of valuable nursing experience under their belts, when money, time, and life permit.
So for all of the ignorant people out there, be careful the LPN you insult, because she just might be taking care of you someday.
TheCommuter, BSN, RN
102 Articles; 27,612 Posts
Actually, a recent Medscape.com study indicated that RNs and LPNs arise from similar demographics, have similar numbers of children, and lead similar lifestyles.
If the person who made the 'lower class LPN' comment has no reputable facts or studies to back up this assertion, then it is nothing more than hogwash.
Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN
12,126 Posts
:angryfire I overheard a comment today passing in the halls at school that only lower class people that can't become RN's become LPN's. You know how when you hear something and you can't hardly believe what you heard???I cannot believe the mentality of some people!!
I would have flat-out asked where that person obtained that information.
Reading this thread made me think of the Outkast song "Caroline" and the chorus that goes "I know you like to think that your **** don't stank, but lean a lil' bit closer, see, roses really smell like pooooo-poo-oooo."
pickledpepperRN
4,491 Posts
The person who said that proved he or she has no class.
Poor ignorant soul.
mary23
31 Posts
The letters behind ones name mean nothing... I know many LPN's that I would rather have take care of me than a lot of RN's and some MD's for that matter...Isn't it sad that we live in a world of such ignorance
Purdue_Nurse
51 Posts
I would have flat-out asked where that person obtained that information.Reading this thread made me think of the Outkast song "Caroline" and the chorus that goes "I know you like to think that your **** don't stank, but lean a lil' bit closer, see, roses really smell like pooooo-poo-oooo."
:yeahthat: Good song! I know some people it describes pretty well.
mammaoftwo: Sorry you had to hear that ignorant comment. LPNs are just as important to the health care team as RNs no matter WHAT some people may say!!!! :angryfire
The point is, we are all PEOPLE, and the title after your name whether it be "LPN" or "RN" does not determine your CLASS in society. LPN's are not lower class people.
In my state of Georgia, LPN school is paid for entirely with Hope Grants, including book allowance, which makes it an affordable option for some women who work and care for family. That doesn't mean there aren't women who opt for the RN route instead, but for some, it makes sense to go the LPN route first.
Also, the LPN route is a great way to get your feet wet, get some health care experience, and help make the decision of whether or not to continue on and invest in an RN program.
Obviously, the RN program is more in depth and requires more credit hours. Nobody disputes this. However, to say that people who haven't completed an RN program are lower class people is a low-class statement.
Anybody who decides to pursue a nursing career, whether it be LPN, RN, BSN, or MSN, obviously cares about people and wants to help those in need. Not only is this an admirable quality, it's one that deserves respect.
I would have approached that ignorant and probably immature person and told them to get their head out of their @** and grow up.
NurseShelly
119 Posts
I agree 100%
Athenas83
210 Posts
OH please. A job is a job, and we are all people. A MD is no better than a LPN.