LPNs are nurses too.

elkpark · May 13, 2015

I wish there was an actual organization for support for LPNs, like we have things such as the NLN, and the ANA, but something official and specialized for put-down LPNs. Or even if there could be some awareness, like a 'we are nurses too' campaign.

There are LPN professional and advocacy organizations; a couple I am aware of are the NFLPN (National Federation of Licensed Practical Nurses) and NAPNES (National Association for Practical Nurse Education and Service).

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · May 13, 2015

There is an organization; it's called NAPNES:

NAPNES | "Every Nurse Counts!"

ETA: elkpark and I must have been posting at the same time...and I forgot to add NFLPN. :yes:

vbarger28, BSN · May 13, 2015

Oh thank you, I wasn't aware of that :)

Scrubs911 · May 13, 2015

So sad to say, but this is a sad post. ;(
While dealing with an abuse problem, I was told by a family member, who quickly let me know she was a retired RN, that since I was an LPN, I was too 'incompetent' to understand nursing, and should not have a license, and how she has never worked with what she seemed to be a worthy-of-her-presence LPN in her career. She used words to me like 'stupid' and 'incompetent'. Now, as I am indeed an LPN, I can tell you that I can stick a 16g needle in a superficial vein quicker than you can say 'CODE BLUE' Also, I often get the whole 'you are not a real nurse' because I am licensed and not registered.
This really hit hard to me today, I am currently in a BSN RN program, and should let this go, but I wish there was an actual organization for support for LPNs, like we have things such as the NLN, and the ANA, but something official and specialized for put-down LPNs. Or even if there could be some awareness, like a 'we are nurses too' campaign.
It's just frustrating, I love all my nurse family, lpn or rn. I just wish we didn't get beat up on in particular for being LPNs as much.

Yep, I agree you should let go of the belief that LPNs have to defend their qualifications. The only solid defence is the quality of care you provide and your professionalism. Everything else is just fluff.

I believe the real issue here is that this person chose to be disrespectful to you and you allowed it to fly.

As a professional you've got to learn how to grow a thick skin, and manage not only your patients but the family as well. That might mean bringing the focus back on the patient and the care he/she needs and will get from you. Might also mean you call in your supervisor to help deal with a verbally abusive individual. Sometimes it means you find a jovial but firm way to cut off that line of conversation. The goal is to bring attention back to the patient-- the reason you guys have contact in the first place.

More than anything, people form their opinions of you from their first encounter. Drop the 'people think LPNs are less than' mentality because it may be seeping into your interactions. You are the professional. Go into the conversation owning the room. Do your job well, and be confident in what you're doing. People sense this and respond accordingly.

mirandaaa · May 13, 2015

Some of the best nurses I know are LPNs!

mvm2 · May 13, 2015

I honor you as a wonderful and caring NURSE

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · May 16, 2015

She used words to me like 'stupid' and 'incompetent'.

Okay...if this family member feels she's so much more competent than you because she's an RN, why isn't she taking care of the patient herself?

Some people need to shut up, slow their roll, and get off their high horses.

jojo489 · May 16, 2015

More often than not, people assume I'm an RN and are pleasantly surprised when they see my name tag reads licensed practical nurse. I'm not sure if it's the way I carry myself or my knowledge, or both.

But I feel your pain because I have had several patients and families who have attacked me because I'm not an RN and felt that I didn't give skilled enough care. That I didn't know enough. I had one patients wife who was an RN and hated me until she saw my reaction to a very urgent situation with him and eventually commended me.

Ignore the horse manure and let your care speak for you. Never let anyone get you down! :)

dreamgirl15 · May 17, 2015

I am so sick and tired of people saying LPN/LVN are not nurses. LPN/LVN are nurses! I was an LVN for 1 year and I am proud of it! I became an RN recently. My family does NOT know that I have my RN license. They constantly tell me that I am "just" an LVN and not a real nurse. What they don't know is that I am actually practicing as an RN, but yet because they only know me as an LVN, they categorize me as incompetent with no nursing skills. People see the title LVN/LPN and automatically assume that you are not trained to care for patients. I try to not let these disgusting attitude put me down, but I must admit it does hurt at times. Try not to let these ignorant people get to you. At the end of the day when a patient is dying, people don't care if you have a LVN/LPN, ADN, BSN, etc. behind your name, what matters is that you can save the patient's life.

mindofmidwifery, ADN · May 17, 2015

LPNs are nurses, or else they wouldn't have the term "nurse" in their title. The only LPNs I have a problem with are the ones who act as if they're better than CNAs and/or can't do CNA work....the LPNs at my facility are worse than the RNs when it comes to that. Maybe I go about it the wrong way but when I'm told by an LPN that they can't help a patient by doing "CNA work" that's when I point out that they're an LPN. You seem like a good nurse though!

mcgovernpirate · May 19, 2015

GREAT response, Scrubs911, and lol @dreamgirl--out of curiosity, why haven't you yet told your family? Is it because you don't need or really mind their approval? Pure professionalism like Scrubs911advocates is hard, especially with the abuses we sometimes endure. Nurses have to be so emotionally strong (and smart) so much of the time...the ultimate HR managers and salespeople, too! But often those abuses, awful as they feel, are superficial, and thank goodness we are confident, competent, and have enough faith in ourselves to (actually) brush them off.

Family members have said horrible things to me, and I've "allowed" it...but I've actually had a lot of the same family members apologize later, come back to see me to apologize, send apology flowers. Family members always get another chance or two with me because half the time they're not in their right minds.