athenaspell2

LPNs are nurses who do not hold a degree. ( unless they attend college for another discipline and this can make a huge difference ). RN classes are much more in depth than LPN. Im an LPN; ( 33 years worth) with two college degree's and also finishing my RN in 6 months ... The sciences are much advanced as is the pathophysiology and Micro B... It opens your eyes more... My opinion is this... On the floor.. we do the same thing. Ive been doing case management for 7 years and I just took a DON position. BSN nursing can be learned on the job... administration and case management can be learned in other ways... Nurse leadership cannot come from just a text book... I do see it as important to define the things I may have missed. RN and LPN do the same job but LPNs are no longer allowed to function in higher acute care roles in general. LPN are diploma functional RNs without the license. LPN- LOW PAID NURSE...lol.. I understand associate and Masters levels are probably needed in nursing.. but and AS nurse can be a BSN without college in my opinion. Ive learned it as an LPN... so my BA degree and PhD general eds are there.. The nursing cores I am testing out of. I learned it another way... No less legitimate. I am not knocking colleges. I am saying nurses can and do learn on the job.

Id take it a step above in a gracious way... A supervisor needs to be 100% approachable and open. No despots should be in leadership roles. Where do these people come from ????

Leadership style is leading by example and being a servant to those on my team. Steps I took ? Years of experience and understanding the real needs of people and the value each co worker holds. Biggest challenge as a leader ? Learning to be a better listener and seeing beyond failures.. but if you purpose to do it you can understand others like never before... My greatest achievement as a leader has been learning that I never know it all and accepting that growth is a part of leadership.. Im going to fail. What I do with that is what causes me to excel in my leadership....

Wasnt devaluing at all... There is a difference between devaluing and differentiating... Emphasis and focus were different back in my day or at least in my state..... Today we are seeing many changes... Personally I would like to see educational reform. Training is not a bad word in nursing.. we all got plenty of it ! Every nurse needs to be valued for her performance with the patients she cares for,.. not her education or experience alone.... I get that.. 100%. Id never devalue any nurse even if she wasnt doing a good job.. Building up people makes them successful, not taring them down.

Thank You Dear... Yes ! Go now and get it done .. There are many options out there...

Yes they do... But the emphasis today in nursing is management for a good majority of RNs and bedside for LPNs... Thats all I meant. Things have evolved...from back in the day...

The good Ole Commonwealth of PA

Smiles are the beginning of showing value to others... Without them life is a bit mundane.

The context of my post was emphasis... Back in my day experience was valued more than education...I guess I realize things have changed in LPN school but I prefer a combinational advancement... Id like to see nurses be accommodated more easily.. We have a nursing shortage and an aging population that needs nurses quickly. The current educational structure is NOT meeting the need....

I understand that.. But Training is not a bad word.... It goes along with experience...

WoW ! What a misunderstanding... Why are you guys so insulted and taking my posts WAY out into left field... No wonder nursing cannot move ahead educationally into new areas... I was trained and educated too.. But you would need to attend RN level classes to understand what I am saying and until then you do not have a foundation to compare it upon.... Nothing I said was meant as or for an insult... You guys are insecure , touchy or both.. Where is Professional maturity in this forum? If you have attened RN level classes what about this dont you get?? UNless your a new nurse in the last 20 years you wouldnt get the whole picture...

last post was meant for person above

Please see my new post under the same header... smiles. I in no way would devalue any nurse ! We are all a team.. I meant training emphasis! smiles. Being in nurse leadership does and should not bring less value upon anyone. LPNs recieve mainly bedside training , thus... thier ARENA. RNs get both advanced knowledge and bedside... This is what I meant. Just wanted to clarify... smiles...

When I said LPNs have "the bedside nursing arena" what I was defining was the training emphasis. LPNs receive more of a Practical Nursing emphasis ..than what an RN may obtain. I would in no way devalue anyone in our profession. I did not receive an honor to become a Director of Nursing by not understanding the value that each and every member of the healthcare team has. Being an RN or an LPN does not determine the measure of a fabulous and caring nurse. I also am not saying that RN's have less bedside training. I just desired to clarify what my heart intended. Personally, I do feel that LPNs are Diploma RN's in their FUNCTION. Diploma RNs are hospital nurses trained in programs with until recently had little or NO general education requirements. Older practicing nurses can probably understand what I am trying to communicate. I realize RNs are RNs and LPNs are LPN s. Educational emphasis however has evolved into LPNs receiving more of a diploma style foundation. I am going to work with an advocate for reforms in nursing on an educational front. I believe in my heart that every nurse should hold an RN title but levels of education will remain different and nurses will function at different levels in healthcare delivery. I do not believe that Bachelor level education in nursing is the only way to progress as a nurse after an Associate level RN. Functionally, any RN can gain experience and training equivalent to an advanced degree in some areas of nursing.. I did not say ALL. smiles. LPN training should be turned into Diploma RN programs. RN AS or AA into associate and BSN and Masters and Doctorate at higher levels. This is my opinion. LPNs do the same job as most RNs. I did not say ALL..lol... I am not knocking either title. I have been in nursing 33 years and have learned everything I need to know to be a nurse. I did need the advanced sciences which I took and passed with honors. Nurses are on waiting lists to get the training and education they need. It is time for reform and for more nurse educators at hospitals to work in conjunction with institutions of higher learning to generate RNs trained to administer healthcare at different levels until they can be experienced to assume higher roles or choose advanced coursework.

I almost have my RN and have been an LPN for 33 years. I have been doing case management for the last 7 years and now am accepting a position as a director of nursing in a personal care facility. I also hold a BA degree. I make 70,000 a year with bonuses. If your an LPN do not think your experience is insignificant to a degree.... Rns have deeper education but bedside nursing experience translates into huge assessment skills, LPNs take first merit in this arena... I have advanced knowledge in A and P and micro B from my RN classes but the core nursing stuff I already know for the most part. LPNs, DO Not be afraid to go back to school ! I am 50 and an honors student ! Being a nurse is what I do with the knowledge I have been given and how well I can assess and nursing diagnose my patients... I am a medical detective. I search for the clues and i find a way to solve the medical riddles. Taking Pathophysiology and advanced Pharmacolgy really does help me see things better.. The care plans are in my head from diagnosis to interventions to outcomes.... LPNs are diploma RNs now without the title.... Im blessed to have come this far after 33 years of many nursing experiences.. ICU to home care... Ive done it all... Its been an honor to serve the sick. Now Ive been given a place of leadership and only hope I can take all that I have learned and direct it towards building a great team of nurses which will allow patients to receive the best care possible... TRULY, I am a very blessed LPN... almost RN, but always an LPN in my heart !