LVN and dang proud!

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Specializes in School LVN, Peds HH.

I graduated from LVN school in '08. And since then, all I ever hear is "You're an LVN? Thats great! When are you going for your RN?" I won't lie, it always, always, ALWAYS makes me feel inadequate. My own family asked that question of me before I even graduated LVN school. I got to the point where I felt so ashamed to only be graduating LVN school that I didn't even walk in my ceremony.

Over the past 2 1/2 years, I've been struggling to find decent LVN work, because, lets face it, hospitals rarely utilize LVN's. And unless you're great at working in skilled nursing (which I am not), our only real saving grace is home health. On top of trying to find work, I've been struggling to rush through school so I can obtain that almighty RN title. Which is nearly impossible these days. The economic climate has put a ton of people out of work, which sends them back to school, which impacts classes I need to take, which in turn extends my time in the classroom. Not to mention the wait lists here in CA.

I was promised two things when I signed up for LVN school...

1) That there were a plethora of acute care jobs out there for my taking.

2) That bridging into an RN program would be simple and without a wait.

I have discovered that those are both lies.

The lack of respect for the LVN title has also caused me to be ashamed that I'm not an RN. I've heard that I'm not a real nurse, that I can't do anything, ect... I've had friends in BSN programs talk to me about the lowly LVN's they were stuck working with that day, and how LVN's aren't anything more than a glorified CNA. Imagine their surprise when I told them that all the nursing school advice and help they'd been getting came from one of those "lowly LVN's"... Me. I can't even count the number of times I've had to explain my title and scope of practice. People are always SHOCKED that LVN's have the scope of practice that we do. Plain and simple, us LVN's? We get no respect.

I worked my tail off in LVN school. Maintained a 3.5 GPA in all my courses. Memorized all my lab values, pharmacology, body systems and diseases. And you know what? I remember it all. I have worked with RN's that don't know as much as I do. I'm not saying I'm a better nurse, or smarter than them, but I know things. LVN school was an intense 12 months of non-stop schooling that whipped me into great shape as a nurse.

I may not be an RN, but I'm a dang good LVN. No longer am I ashamed of my title. I'm a licensed professional. I make a difference in patients lives. I've even saved a couple! I'm an LVN and proud of it!

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.

raekay. i'm so sorry you're having such a hard time right now. i will be the first to agree that all of us nurses, students, new grads and old-timers are feeling the pinch of the present situation. we are facing the "perfect storm of cr@p" in other words. it would be dumb of me to say something all shiny-happy-feelgood about the current situation, when my friend who is experienced got a pay cut to hardly more than a check-out person at a mini-mart would make.

but--- it saddens me greatly that you didn't attend your graduation because you were actually ashamed to be an lvn. you and only you know how hard you busted your @ss to get where you did. never let anyone take your acheivement away from you because of their ignorant and misinformed opinions.

the thing about any school, from cna to doctor of nursing practice, is that what you become depends largely on how you develop after you have your diploma, degree or license. it's helped me in life to develop a love for education for it's own sake, so that i don't view any of it as a "waste".

it might help you some to read some of the threads in the lvn/lpn forum to help us feel better about ourselves because unfortunately, there are a lot of rude and snide people in the world. there are several of us who have been lvns for a long time, either due to leaving to have kids like i did, or other reasons. every single rn here who i admire most has said they depend on lpns/lvns, they learn from us, and they value us. that is really all i care about. ignore the rest.

now- the economy- i wish i had a crystal ball on that one. i don't, but all nurses, as i said, are pretty much in the same boat. it will get better- i just don't know when. if you are in serious financial trouble you might need to consider re-locating. but just be sure to do your research ahead of time, never trust "word of mouth"-- it's amazing how much misinformation is out there.

even though i don't know you-it doesn't matter-- i am dang proud of your acheivement, too!!! i know you don't skate through any nurse's training. so congratulations!you did it!:up::up::up:

feel free to ask anything - i might not know the answer but i have certainly walked many miles of the trail you are just starting out on.

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proud as well!! and of ME too!!!.....i felt the same way..pressured by family(in laws),pressured by friends who are RNs...etc...pressured so much that i did my only 2 pre-reqs last spring...started A & P 1 in the summer AND this fall....withdrew both semesters.....i am just o busy fro school right now...my family comes first! I am an LPN and thats where i want to stay...for now...I WILL NO LONGER BE PRESSURED!!!.......i was fed up with my job now i know what i do is a different type nursing,not the medsurge type....i work with very medically frail MR and TBI individuals....from 88 down to sweet 16...I love everyone of them!!!.....it is hard work and rewarding work I do....someone needs to care for these people....some have g-tubes,trachs and need constant care...we do it all!......nope...no one is going to pressure me anymore.....i am without the school stress and lovin it....except my husband is running for a state assembly seat...lots of stress there!!!

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Specializes in LTC.

Good for you ! I also have family and friends that keep saying " so you're not a RN" I have to constantly explain what my title is and my scope of practice. I'm darn proud of being a lpn myself. I went through a grueling nursing program and I deserve to call myself a nurse. I am going to RN school but for now I'm proud of being a LPN. I even have a LPN magnet on my car. When I was a CNA I was also proud and when I become a RN I will be proud.

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Specializes in LTC.

I am proud as well!!! I too have been told not to stop at LPN and have been asked "so, uh, when are you going back to school for your RN?" I may just have to start replying "uh, never" just to shut people up (LOL Just kidding. I might go back for my RN one day). It doesn't matter one bit whether LPN or RN is behind your name. What you do with with those initials and patient care IS what matters.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dementia.

You are so right. We should be proud of ourselves.

I know I am guilty of whenever someone asks me what I do...I say, "Oh, I am an lpn, but planning on going back to school to be an RN soon."

I don't even know if that's true. I should stop saying that. It's ******** that I feel like I have to say that.

I'm in rant mode now...I will stop while I still can :)

Edit:

Didn't know I couldn't say bull crap on here. lol

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"So what do you do?"

"Im a nurse."

"Nice..."

Problem solved. Most ppl I know dont know the difference between an LVN and RN. But the bigger picture here is that we are all nurses regardless.

Dont really get the ppl who make a big deal out of being an RN or a NP or a CRNA or a FNP, etc etc. In the end, we all take care of people, we love our job, and we have a bonus of not being ruined by the stupid hedge funders at wall street.

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If you are serious about going the RN route, keep at it now, no matter how delayed and behind the power curve you feel. There is something to be said for trying to better your situation. You will feel even worse after a 20 or 30 year career of people attempting to make you feel like you are second class. But also keep in mind that it is no bed of roses for newly licensed RNs either.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dementia.

You're right, bigtim.

It should be as easy as that, but the problem is...for some people it's not.

The LPN Vs. RN issue is always there. A lot of LPN's feel inferior. But, with that being said...we can all go on to become RN's if we feel that way.

But then will we have the same problem??

"Oh so you're an RN. Are you going to become a NP?"

Who knows. I am in no way shape or form complaining. I can go back to school. I am just too lazy to do it right now.

Someday maybe...

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Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
. . . . .But then will we have the same problem??

"Oh so you're an RN. Are you going to become a NP?"

Yes. "Oh so you're an ADN. Are you going to get your BSN?" For people whose main motivation in getting anything is to get others to shut the H up already about it, I'll say now you will be very disappointed. If you're going to do it, do it for you.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dementia.
Yes. "Oh so you're an ADN. Are you going to get your BSN?" For people whose main motivation in getting anything is to get others to shut the H up already about it, I'll say now you will be very disappointed. If you're going to do it, do it for you.

Oh of course, nursel56.

I wouldn't do it for any other reason.

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I, too, am tired of hearing .. "are you an RN, or an LPN?" Or, "oh, you're an LPN.. are you going on for your RN?" For me, it's not a matter of feeling bad about my title. It's just tiring to constantly re-educate people that one does not have to lead in to the other. We are nurses. Just because someone is an RN, doesn't mean they now have to become an NP, or a PA. Or that a PA now has to be come an MD. I don't want to be an RN, and have no plans to become one - but that's just me. Where you decide your niche is has nothing to do with intelligence or motivation. It's all about individual priorities and what makes us happiest. So, if someone doesn't like it, eff 'em. :)

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