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

NurseRatched67 · Jan 22, 2008

Sh*t rolls down hill don't you see.

Attending Docs downplay the skills of Residents who downplay the skills of RN's who downplay the skills of LPN's who downplay the skills of CNA's, who downplay the skills of unti secretaries...etc..

In reply to the LPN who introduced herself as "a nurse taking care of the patient", followed by an RN who did the same thing. Let me ask...in what capacity are you hired as in your position. Are you hired as an LPN, dispensing meds etc...or are you hired as a "tech" position? I see your point about feeling belittled, but don't you think both of you saying that is a bit confusing to patients? Maybe going in together in the room and being announced as the "team" of nurses taking care of the patient is a better idea. I think patients would feel much more at ease knowing they had a "team" on their side!

I've seen good and bad RN's, LPN's and CNA's...not to mention docs. It seems to stem from a lack of respect from the top down in most hospitals. I try to promote teamwork and communication with all staff members working with me. I am in no way above tolieting a patient, changing a bed, giving a bath etc.

To me as an RN it's more a matter of time. With patient loads as high as they are we all need to realize that everyone on the team is important and NEEDED.

Everyone open your eyes wide....once you do you may realize you've got some great people working with you! :w00t:

karenm31 · Jan 22, 2008

It happens to me as well. I was working in a hospital in a city near by to my hometown about six months ago. It seemed like every time I would introduce myself, more often than not, I would get that question too. When I responded with "LPN" I would get an "OH" as if I wasn't qualified to do my job based on the fact that I was "only an LPN". I hated to hear it everytime, but always answered very politely. I wonder why patients are asking this so much? Is it because they think that LPNs are not good enough?

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jan 22, 2008

I agree with Indy's statement. I know that there has to be differences between the materials studied in RN verses LPN programs...there is no arguement there. However, give the LPN some credit here. We do learn the nursing process, medication adminstration, clinical skills and critical thinking as well. No, it may not be on the same level of an RN, however, we are certainly assessing (or data gathering, as we are told we can legally say) before, during and after we give a med, do a procedure, teach or observe. And, yes, it does take time. An RN that has sole experience, say, in ambulatory care may not be able to horn in on her assessment skills if she is not exposed to say, ICU, when a person may crash before your very eyes. We both enter the career not knowing much and leaning more on what was read moreso than what was done. What happens with the RNs through ANA trickles down to us, eventually by virtue of us working under their auspice.

We have had to learn signs and symptoms to observe, report and even intervene, so, again, as Indy has stated, what sense would it make to have someone trained to do these things, yet, then, belittle their input, observations and actions? The way I always saw it is that I am trained to comprehend and do within my scope of practice. I have to be trained to know when the situation is beyond my training and scope of practice, and know to get the RNs input and intervention. I do read, take continuing education classes, look at medical documentaries and do all that I can to remain current with what is happening.

I am at peace with my decision to be an LPN. I know that I have a great deal to learn and perfect in regard to my observation and data gathering skills, but because of my dedication and interest, I KNOW that I am a positive addition to nursing.

q12RN · Jan 23, 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.....

My badge has a large red tab at the bottom that displays RN. Upper mgmt thought patients would like to know who was taking care of them, The only grief I've heard is from the CNA's not wanting to have it displayed I guess b/c some pts thought they were an RN.

lorabel · Jan 23, 2008

We did go see a lawyer........no grounds for suit...or more like no suit for a big enough settlement to make it worth their while.....see when you file a medmal lawsuit, first you have to another professional state that first there has been malpractice, secondly there must be permanent injury or severe injury/pain/suffering, etc as a result of the malpractice......medmal suits arent as easy as some think........Since my mom suffered no permanent injury..depression is not considered permanent nor is anxiety...no one would take the case. I feel my parents deserved something for all they went through...I didnt mention that my dad was 80 at the time and has many cardiac problems.......I'm surprised he didnt have a massive MI when he walked in and found her. He called me on my cell and told me "all these people are running into moms room and they told me I had to leave". That was the condition C that was called.......like a code without cardiac arrest..........Yes, there was very poor and substandard nursing care but no permanent physical harm.......

SharonH, RN · Jan 23, 2008

I agree with Indy's statement. I know that there has to be differences between the materials studied in RN verses LPN programs...there is no arguement there. However, give the LPN some credit here. We do learn the nursing process, medication adminstration, clinical skills and critical thinking as well. No, it may not be on the same level of an RN, however, we are certainly assessing (or data gathering, as we are told we can legally say) before, during and after we give a med, do a procedure, teach or observe. And, yes, it does take time. An RN that has sole experience, say, in ambulatory care may not be able to horn in on her assessment skills if she is not exposed to say, ICU, when a person may crash before your very eyes. We both enter the career not knowing much and leaning more on what was read moreso than what was done. What happens with the RNs through ANA trickles down to us, eventually by virtue of us working under their auspice.
We have had to learn signs and symptoms to observe, report and even intervene, so, again, as Indy has stated, what sense would it make to have someone trained to do these things, yet, then, belittle their input, observations and actions? The way I always saw it is that I am trained to comprehend and do within my scope of practice. I have to be trained to know when the situation is beyond my training and scope of practice, and know to get the RNs input and intervention. I do read, take continuing education classes, look at medical documentaries and do all that I can to remain current with what is happening.
I am at peace with my decision to be an LPN. I know that I have a great deal to learn and perfect in regard to my observation and data gathering skills, but because of my dedication and interest, I KNOW that I am a positive addition to nursing.

My mother and my aunt were both LPNs for over 30 years. Neither of them are currently practicing due to health reasons. They both worked in OB-GYN (L&D, PP, and NN) for the last 20-25 years of their career. They were highly skilled and well-rounded practitioners! My mother was still able to float and work in ICU and telemetry, my aunt could read cardiac rhythms like any cardiac nurse. This was amazing to me considering that they were OB nurses. I am extremely proud of them. But if they didn't introduce themselves as LPNs, then how was anyone to know that the highly skilled and knowledgeable nurses providing their care were LPNs? By not identifying themselves fully, they might have been shortchanging not only themselves but their profession. Fortunately they had no qualms with telling people they were LPNs and neither should the OP. Remove the stigma and tell people who you are up front and you can avoid the awkwardness of forcing people to ask you.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Jan 23, 2008

My mother and my aunt were both LPNs for over 30 years. Neither of them are currently practicing due to health reasons. They both worked in OB-GYN (L&D, PP, and NN) for the last 20-25 years of their career. They were highly skilled and well-rounded practitioners! My mother was still able to float and work in ICU and telemetry, my aunt could read cardiac rhythms like any cardiac nurse. This was amazing to me considering that they were OB nurses. I am extremely proud of them. But if they didn't introduce themselves as LPNs, then how was anyone to know that the highly skilled and knowledgeable nurses providing their care were LPNs? By not identifying themselves fully, they might have been shortchanging not only themselves but their profession. Fortunately they had no qualms with telling people they were LPNs and neither should the OP. Remove the stigma and tell people who you are up front and you can avoid the awkwardness of forcing people to ask you.

:w00t:You are absolutely correct. When people have asked for specifics regarding my nursing licensure and I mention that I am an LPN, they are amazed and I have been complimented. Keeping this in mind, I will now introduce myself in my entire title. People need to know that LPNs ARE knowledgable and capable nurses within our scopes of practice.

Agnus · Jan 23, 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.....

Patients are more savvy today about health care. I welcome their inquiries.

swee2000 · Jan 24, 2008

In reply to the LPN who introduced herself as "a nurse taking care of the patient", followed by an RN who did the same thing. Let me ask...in what capacity are you hired as in your position. Are you hired as an LPN, dispensing meds etc...or are you hired as a "tech" position? I see your point about feeling belittled, but don't you think both of you saying that is a bit confusing to patients? Maybe going in together in the room and being announced as the "team" of nurses taking care of the patient is a better idea. I think patients would feel much more at ease knowing they had a "team" on their side!
I've seen good and bad RN's, LPN's and CNA's...not to mention docs. It seems to stem from a lack of respect from the top down in most hospitals. I try to promote teamwork and communication with all staff members working with me. I am in no way above tolieting a patient, changing a bed, giving a bath etc.
To me as an RN it's more a matter of time. With patient loads as high as they are we all need to realize that everyone on the team is important and NEEDED.
Everyone open your eyes wide....once you do you may realize you've got some great people working with you! :w00t:

I think that I'm the LPN referred to in the comments above. To clarify for the writer, my job title is not "tech" or CNA. It is LPN. But I still function in both roles, meaning I do beds & baths, administer meds, vital signs, data collection, start IVs, etc.

In regards to introducing myself as a nurse to the patient, followed by an RN who does the same, I can understand how one might find this confusing, especially the patient. Others might view it as disrespectful to the RN. But that is not my intent in either scenario. Personally, I don't understand why I(or any LPN) should have to "step aside" &/or be denied the opportunity to acknowledge myself as a nurse just because I'm "only an LPN" &/or the RN already introduced herself as the nurse. We're both nurses who earned the right to be recognized as such. And if a patient truly seems bothered or confused, all one has to do is provide a simple, brief explanation about the different levels in nursing.

NurseRatched67 · Jan 24, 2008

Sorry, but your post seems very defensive. I have never worked on a floor where there was an RN and an LPN assigned to the same patient in the same role.

If I am assigned a patient, then it is my responsibility to direct and manage the care of that patient for my shift. That means that nursing aides of any kind usually work with me in that effort, but are under my supervision as well on my patients. I've never worked in a situation where a patient was assigned both and RN and LPN to do the tasks that one could do on their own. We usually don't have the luxury of having two licensed indivdiuals assigned as nurses to a patient. Not with patient loads the way they are.

All of our LPN's are assigned to their own patients, and CNA's assist them as well. They function fully and independently.

So I think it's fine for you to introduce yourself as a nurse taking care of the patient, but from your response it sounds like you are more concerned about your position in the eyes of others rather then what type of impression patients are getting about the teamwork of the staff.

My post encouraged you to work with your other nurses as a team, but you seem to have misread it somewhere along the line.

I guess it comes down to aleviating confusion on the part of patients and their loved ones. Taking time to explain levels of nursing to patients who are there to recover or to try and get well sounds like it's more for your benefit then theirs.

**SKM-NURSIEPOOH, BSN, RN** · Jan 25, 2008

sorry, but your post seems very defensive. i have never worked on a floor where there was an rn and an lpn assigned to the same patient in the same role....

i think you're misunderstanding the scenario. i believe that in this case, the lpns has pt assignment of their own; but the rns must initially assess the lpns' pts as well as be the practitioner who does all of the iv pushes & other "rn" tasks.

here's where it may be confusing to pts. the rn in charge of the unit/lpn goes into the pts room before, during, or just after the lpns goes in to see their pts. pts then gives the lpns a double look because they introduced themselves as "their nurse" & the charge rn comes in to only seem to "correct" the lpns by stating that they're the pts' "nurse".

somebody else above made a great suggestion...why not tell the pts that they'll be looked after by a team of nurses. either the rn or the lpn can explain what one does opposed to the other; this way, keeping the confusion at a minimum.

hope this helps ~ cheers :cheers:,

moe

RunAwayNurse · Jan 27, 2008

I'm an LPN and a lot of times people, excluding patients and family members, ask "Are you a nurse or an LPN" I have never had a patient/family member ask me that question, I simply provide care within my scope of practice to the best of my ability. Patients often comment on how well I performed my job and how satisfied they were with the care that they received. This alone is enough to let me know that regardless of what people think about LPN's, we make a difference in the lives of the people we care for too and some of us, are content with being an LPN and with that said, we must continue to keep our heads up and do our jobs to the best of our ability and whether we are and RN or LPN, we all have a job to do and we can't let anything get in the way of that. I work with some wonderful RN's and LPN's and to me, we are all nurses.