LPNs glorified Techs?

Nurses LPN/LVN

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I have heard that LPNs who work in hospitals are basically glorified Patient Care Techs. DO you find this to be the case? I currently work as a PCT ina nursing home and I have supervisors who are LPNs so I know this is not the case in a nursing home. I am going to be in LPN school next year and am tryng to figure out if a hosptal would be best for me, but I have heard there is such a huge difference in the way LPNs are viewed in hospitals versus nursing homes.

Specializes in Hospice, ER.

My first nursing job was in a trauma hospital. I was used as a glorified aide. That got old really fast.

My current job is as an ER LPN in a small community hospital. I am expected to fully use my skills.

I don't cry on the way to work anymore. Smaller can definately be better!

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
am I allowed to respond to this forum as an RN?
RNs are welcome to post on this forum, too. ;)
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Specializes in OR, ER, L&D, LTC, Home Health, Peds, SNF.

I have never experienced being used or referred to as a 'glorified tech'. And if I was, I would probably not think much of it and of that person. I haved worked in most states in the south (currently working on getting licensed in CA now) and have to say that we are all nurses. And we all know where we stand when it comes that.

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Specializes in Psych/Corrections.
I have never experienced being used or referred to as a 'glorified tech'. And if I was, I would probably not think much of it and of that person. I haved worked in most states in the south (currently working on getting licensed in CA now) and have to say that we are all nurses. And we all know where we stand when it comes that.
Oh I have ,but not even that, a CNA told me one day that he was going to pass meds and I had to work the floor as a CNA,I told him sorry,but im the charge nurse on the floor and I make the assignments,he refused and told me I was a glorified CNA,but didn't use those word.and lefted the floor.The next day I did reseacrh on the schools,picked EC and never look back.now im almost done with my RN and that was 6 months ago,so if you feel that way just take it up a level,you can do if you came this far,because LPN school is no walk in the park,and We all desevre the respect of being a nurse.
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Hi all. I have to do a debate for school on LPN -vs- RN and the team i am on is taking the position that there is not a difference. I am interested in what states some of you are from and if you find there really isnt a difference across the nation - only the difference of the states scope of practice. Thank you so much.

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Specializes in Emergency Room/Telemetry.

I know I'm not a "glorified tech". I work in an inner city ED. I do all my patients testing, care, meds, IV's if needed. I view myself in a "unique" postion. So does my administration. I can do basically what an RN can do execpt push meds, titrate iv drips, and hang blood. So working with the staff, they view me as a back up, if they are extremely busy with patients. If an RN misses an IV, they call me in to try I dont mind being a team player. In the end its for the patients no matter how you view it. If people should just view you as a "glorified tech". Educate them on the positive impact you have on the unit. I know I do it daily. Be proud. Change the preceptions of others. You wont be viewed as a "glorified tech". Get the certifications behind you if you can, for example, ACLS, IV cert, Ekg Cert.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

The hospital where I used to work does not hire LPNs. It is a large 710 bed facility. The community hospitals in my area do hire some LPNs, just not many. I currently work in a Fresenius dialysis unit and we have one LPN in the facility. It became company policy in the past year to have only RNs and techs. This LPN had to become a tech or lose her job.

I was an LPN from 92-94. It was really easy for me to figure out that if I was going to do the majority of RN duties, I wanted the RN pay, so off to school I went.

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Specializes in Med/Sug, Long Term Care.

I agree that it depends on the state and the community in which you work. I worked in Paradise, CA on a busy surgical floor and enjoyed it so much. In that community LPNs were highly utilized and respected as nurses.

Now in CO I work LTC because acute care LPN positions pay is so low and most positions (don't flame me CO LPNs;)), from what I have heard here and in the area, are considered glorified CNA's.

But, I am still a newbie to the state and hope to find an acute care LPN postion that pays decent and will give me some awesome and challenging experiences.

PS CO LPNs PM me if you know of any positions available. lol.

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