Ms.Williams

Dear Linda Thank you so much for your story, maybe now I can get some encouragement to continue. I too am in my 50's, 52 to be exact and an LPN for 15 years and proud of it. You stated it so well as though you felt like the horse following in the pararade and how your EXPERTISE could and would have at least been acknowledged had your initials been 2 instead of 3. (RN vs LPN). I currently taking and retaking some classes due to time expiration on some of them and that in itself is frustrating, and sometimes the courses and entrance tests can be frustrating but you made me smile. Best of luck of to you and I look forward to reading some of your stories as you move thru this transiton

Can anyone tell me where to get support knee hi stockings from. I am a full figure nurse with naturally very large legs, (calves and ankles). I work 12 hour shifts and reallyneed the support , but the panty hose are entirely too warm. I am having problems finding knee hi stockings that are large enough. Please send any websites or suggestions. It would be greatly appreciated.

Tsk tsk tsk, since when is an RN delegating to a CMA not allowed? I am happy that you have an Associate Degree but what can you do with it and when or where? I beleive you can only work in the office ,is that correct or not?

You have worked very hard and earned your degree along with passing boards. Wear it proudly, everyone has to learn. So your experience and knowledge will come with time , in the meantime you have graduated and have your degree, display it with pride and do not let anyone make you feel bad because you lack some years of experience. No one graduates knowing everything. It comes with time.Congrats

I agree 100 %. I would also lkie for someone with the proper knowledge maybe from the BON to answer this question. Who is the advocate for the patient and a FNP does not refer to themselves as a MD nor does the PA say MD so why does it have to be so with the nursing field. It seems like we get the least amount of respect in every aspect.

I hope the CMA who went through 2 years of hard training and is qualified to do what an LPN does (in her opinion) has read through each and every post and each and every response. You need to think about what you are doing and the choices you made spending 2 years to receive that training and you are right , I did not feel safe and secure working beside a CMA taking on some of the responsibilities because they should have been hanlded by a licensed person. So I did what I thought was "safe" for my license, I quit that job. It comes down to reading the scope of practice set by every BON in every state, you should not refer to yourself as a "nurse" unless you have a license. PLEASE USE YOUR TITLE, CMA (CERTIFIED MEDICAL ASSISTANT ) Once you go back for another 2 years and pass the boards you have then earned the right to use the word NURSE. Good luck

Please explain "acting professional". I do not think nurses act unprofessional and it should not be a matter of what candidate is supported , it should be for better working conditions and such things that management are allowed to get away with such as working extra hours and if you say no you are silently mistreated if you get my drift

Many MD offices use CMA instead of RN's or LPN's and the part that really makes me furious is that not only do they refer to themselves as nurses in converstions with patients and their families, they do patient teaching , give injections call in prescriptions and perform other duties that should be left to an LPN or RN. Now to the real deal I know for a fact that they are paid pretty much the same as as LPN. I saw a letter come over the fax machine that detailed pay for LPN/CMA and the pay was the same. The MD's also refer to them as nurses so how do you stop this behavior? Surely they have not crossed the line so they cannot be hit with some sort of fine because there are to many MD offices in this state that use them. So how do you decrease this behavior? I would be glad to start the process if I knew how other than contacting the BON?

Thank you , you have been very specific in detailing your duties. What you have described is no less than an RN does ,and what each nurse should be expected to do. Thank you. Now does everyone have a more clear idea of what an LPN is?

I agree 100%

I do not have any disabling disabilities at this time, but I highly encourage you to take advantage of your dream. What if it never comes back? That would be great. What if you just wait for it and let your dream pass you by? When you are 50 you will say what if I had pursued my dream? Please try . Go forth with all your might. Pray hard and have confidence in yourself. Nursing school does get hard at times but please do not let that stop you. Take another deep breath and keep going. I wish you the best.

Do you feel you are smarter than the RN who has ADN degree. Not even, I have worked side by side with those who know only enough to fill out the paper work but when it comes to critcal thinking and the most bedside care who do you think will win? If that is the case why then are there MD's who are not qualified by experience to hold that title.They were smart enough to pass the Boards but when it come to taking care of patients , oh my goodness.

please clarity yourself. You say it is wrong toidentify yourself as a nurse if you are an LPN. Exactly what do you think an LPn is and do you really know what their duties entail? If you do not please contact your nearest Board of Nursing, actually any one in any of the 50 states and you will see there is not much that an LPN does not do. Hopefully by the time you graduate you will learn what Real Nursing is. It is not just a title and if that is the only reason you have gone into this beloved field please leave it now as you will find yourself burned out quickly. These are the lives of human beings that you take into your hands as a "nurse" LPN or "RN". What else would you call an nurse assistant , they assist the nurses so what would you suggest they be called or do you downplay that field also? Please learn quickly how much more difficult your job will be without a good "nursing assistant" at your side. You have so much to learn. I welcome your response. By the way I have been an LPN (NURSE) for 14 years and have a wealth of experience . I would welcome the opportunity to "work next to you":nurse:

Could you please think about what you just said? If a pt sees us changing their briefs they they are probably very thankful that they have a nurse who is there to attend to any their needs. It might make them feel safe and secure within our care, knowing they will not have to lay there and wait for someone else who is probably busy changing someone else's briefs.You are in for an awakening.