"Are you an RN OR LPN ????"

collegemomrn · Jan 21, 2008

You are so right about how some RNs see LPNs. Sometimes it is the facility that you work for too. I think all we can do is to make sure we do the best we can do for our patients.

tish666 · Jan 21, 2008

I was an LPN and became an RN this year. I think that the only patients who really cared if I was an RN/LPN? NI were a couple of retired nurses we have had admitted to our floor several times in the last 4 1/2 years. If you weren't an RN you knew the shift was going to be bad; on the call light constantly, if you didn't answer it they would demand to know why, nothing was ever right, water to cold, then too warm, etc. But if an RN was assigned to them they hardly ever put on the call light. When I asked one of them why the difference she told me that "everybody knows LPNS are just play nurses and have nothing better to do." Maybe we need to educate the public better.

dadusmom · Jan 22, 2008

True knowledge comes from books and a formal education program. Those of you that were LPNs and later on became RNs, I know you learned something new that you didn't know as an LPN. Both occupations deserve respect, but let's acknowledge that there is a difference. If I or a loved one were hospitalized due to a critical condition requiring constant assessment, I would want RNs only.

baronessjrk · Jan 22, 2008

I do the same thing, I go into the room and introduce myself and that I will be their nurse for the day. I can't remember being asked by a patient if I am an RN or LPN. I sign my name with LPN, and it is on my name badge, so perhaps they see it and don't have to ask.

travel soon · Jan 22, 2008

Hang in there and don't be afraid to speak up. It really is all in how you reply to the question. I have been an LPN for 19 yrs. now and will grad. from the ADN program in May and still encounter people even in class that ask that and some think LPN's can't even pass a med. or start an IV. it is amazing, if you could just remember how proud you were when you graduated from school I don't think it would matter what title you rec'd because we all deserve to be very proud.

I don't think they were asking you because of a desire to file a lawsuit, I think it is because most people really don't know any better and think that only an RN can take care of them. Anyway Good Luck to you and take care.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jan 22, 2008

True knowledge comes from books and a formal education program. Those of you that were LPNs and later on became RNs, I know you learned something new that you didn't know as an LPN. Both occupations deserve respect, but let's acknowledge that there is a difference. If I or a loved one were hospitalized due to a critical condition requiring constant assessment, I would want RNs only.

Of course, you would want the person who is trained and qualified to do the job that matches the condition. I feel the same way, for myself or my loved ones. I think that some of our issues is that if the hospital or facility has stated that a particular person is qualified to do a certain job, it is insulting to question their intelligence. I may not do assessments, but, hey, I can administer your medication, answer your questions about your meds, hang your piggyback and change your dressings. I was taught signs and symptoms of diseases, therefore, I am also trained to realize that after a certain point, this condition is out of my hands, and have to get an RN to do more than I can.

auntb · Jan 22, 2008

the alphabet behind a name does not make the person any more caring or in some cases smarter with all the answeres.

i applaude education and feel its worth having and noting,

however when life gives experience this also should be noted. we all can learn from each other, if given the

GraceM5 · Jan 22, 2008

Okay, I guess I have a question relating to....well I'll just give the situation...I usually introduce my self to my patients after I recieve my assignment and report. And I start out..."Hi, My name is Ally and I will be your nurse today....." Then usually 2 times out of 10....Ill get a question from my patient saying " Are you an LPN OR RN? " I have no problem answering thier question after that. but I was wondering does this happen to anyone else but me?........
I don't know what I feel about it really but i find it kind of odd that you get patients with no medical background asking whether youre and LPN or an RN...Just makes me feel alittle uneasy sometimes...lol... IT's like Hey I wonder is it for legal purposes.....

Have you ever had a patient's family member state that she or he is a nurse and you start talking with that person as an RN. Only to find out that person was a CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) :bugeyes: . After that event I had learned to inquire about the type of nursing in a tactful manner.

If that person is a CNA I talk with them in one way. If a LPN or a RN with no ICU experience I am able to discuss their love one's information in another manner. If the patient ask the questions there may be preconceived ideas they have. Who knows?

Grace

The is a need to find out what type of

GraceM5 · Jan 22, 2008

I was an LPN and became an RN this year. I think that the only patients who really cared if I was an RN/LPN? NI were a couple of retired nurses we have had admitted to our floor several times in the last 4 1/2 years. If you weren't an RN you knew the shift was going to be bad; on the call light constantly, if you didn't answer it they would demand to know why, nothing was ever right, water to cold, then too warm, etc. But if an RN was assigned to them they hardly ever put on the call light. When I asked one of them why the difference she told me that "everybody knows LPNS are just play nurses and have nothing better to do." Maybe we need to educate the public better.

I have been a RN for the past 12 years and that type of thinking is what is wrong with people. I have never been a LPN but I think they work just as hard. When I worked in Telemetry approximately 9 years ago, my first encounter with LPNs, I was amazed that the RN always gave them the hardest patients or as they thought the most difficult patients. Those patients were the bedridden and were unable to move. The LPNs told me they were the easiest because they are not demanding and not on the call light all the time like the up and about patients. They did not mind cleaning them or repositioning them.

The hospital decided to go all RN and laid off all LPNs in one swoop. Now those same RNs had to care for them as well as the up and about patients. This required a lot more work but the RNs were able to do what was needed with minimum complaints. Up and about patients required a lot more attention and compromise with scheduled events.

Grace

Indy, LPN, LVN · Jan 22, 2008

True knowledge comes from books and a formal education program. Those of you that were LPNs and later on became RNs, I know you learned something new that you didn't know as an LPN. Both occupations deserve respect, but let's acknowledge that there is a difference. If I or a loved one were hospitalized due to a critical condition requiring constant assessment, I would want RNs only.

I disagree. I'm taking your phrase "true knowledge" to mean the wisdom that comes from textbook knowledge plus practical experience. There are things the textbooks can explain, but the impact of some things can not be expressed in a formal textbook. The subtle gradations of coloring in human skin... you can look at it all you want in pictures, and read about COPD and respiratory failure until you are blue in the face. When you pair it with experience and know what to do, then do you have "true knowledge" in my book. Not to mention you have to decide what color each person normally is, and that info isn't always available or obvious to you the first time you see a patient.

It's my firm opinion that an LPN who works, reads, and keeps her skills current will form the assessment skills that RN programs get so excited about. A new nurse right out of school, these days, whether it's a new RN or a new LPN, have a lot to learn about assessment. I mean, if you don't think an LPN can assess, why on earth do you have him or her giving meds? I don't think nursing tasks as a whole should be undertaken by someone who looks at a patient and has no clue under heaven what is going on. And those people exist as both RN's and LPN's.

The difference to me is paperwork and supervision structure. Oh, and financial; the field remains female-dominated and LPN is, in many places, a shorter time period and/or a lighter financial burden to attain that licensure. I won't hold that against the good nurses I have worked with. With time, teaching and experience, they will get this "true knowledge" thing down pat.

NurseRatched67 · Jan 22, 2008

TraumaRus, It may not be a negative thing..asking if you are an LPN or RN...Many patients iny my meager 4 months as an RN asked our names. We had badges with name and credentials..Frequently the family or the patient would send a thankyou card or gift basket thanking us for the good care received! Most of the time nurses were named and thanked. I think it is a good thing. On the flip side of the coin...it is sad to say but it seems today that patients and family have to be proactive in their care. I learned this the hard with my mom and dad. Long story short version; my mom had a hip replacement..she was nauseous after sx and unable to keep anything down. IV was d/cd 24 hours postop..per protocol........she couldnt go to PT without a barf bag. I was a nursing student at the time...I noticed she was getting dehydrated (skin turgor, sunken eyes, cracked lips) about 5 days post-op...I asked 3 different nurses to please get an order for an IV because my mom was getting dehydrated. I was told that she wasnt dehydrated, shes taking enouogh po. I said she throws it all up and has had nothing measurable po since sx. Nothing was done...2 days later they called a "condition c"...going down the tubes......to make it worse the very morning this happened, my mom asked her nurse for pain meds and was told she was a whiner! The same nurse left her unattended in the bathroom after my told her she felt like she was going to pass out!!!!! The nurse puts her back in bed, does NO assessment, even after my mom saying she didnt feel well and thought she would pass out.....an hour later my dad came and found her unresponsive and unable to even pick up her hand to use the call light! THATS when they called the condition c!!!!!!!! My dad ran out in the hall and yelled for help!!!!!!!!!! I filed a complaint with the hospital and went all the way to the top! they were not accurately charting I&Os....So..I learned that family has to be proactive...I still kick myself for not being more assertive...I was just a nursing astudent......they were nurses that dealt with postops every day!!!!! As I brought up to the DON........if they deal with this dail;y since its an ortho unit only...WHY did the nurses not recognize this as not normal...the nausea, pallor..throwing up that wasnt charted? I found small amount of blood on sheet from emesis!!!!!! So..my mom ended up in the ICU for 7 days, did ABGs and wouldnt tell me results; only that it is what they expected? oh..her body temp was 93, pulse was nonpalpable, BP VERY low....was caused by dehydration; she ended up with a paralytic ileus, then had coffee ground emesis from antibiotics causing GI problems.....so many things but ALL could have been prevented!!!!!!!!! The hospital has changed some policies since my complaint..they now must accurately chart I&O..every hour they must go in and chart, they now have a "condition H" which is for family only..if they feel they are not getting answers they need or if patient feels they are not getting the help they need....So maybe some of the patients or family members had a previous bad experience...or they want to know who to thank for the excellent care given?!! My money is on the latter!!!!!

I'd get a lawyer....sorry to say that, but it's justified.

BJ, LPN · Jan 22, 2008

I AM an L.P.N. with 39 years experience in nursing homes, hospitals:

Ob, Ortho, Med-Surg, ER, Step Down, Pain Mgt.,Discharge Lounge.

Also, Dermatology, Interal Medicine, Medical Records, Rehab., Private

Duty, Nursing Service: in office and as staff. Plus doing ICD-9 & coding for Internal Medicine/Peds in 2 separate locations. :up: I have

absolutely nothing to be ashamed of except the fact that Medical

Assistants are now being called nurses and THEY ARE NOT, they are

just aides.