"Just an LPN"....does anyone else get discouraged?

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Hello nurses!

I have been discouraged lately...I feel like I am constantly fighting off the stigma of being "just an LPN." When people ask what I do, I always say I am a nurse....they then want to know if that means "RN" and of course what hospital do I work at???!!!!! I work in a clinic and have been an LPN for several years. UGGGHHH!!! Anyone else have this challenge?

Denise

Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Things is, i haven't encountered an LPN who referes to themselves as "just an LPN", unless they're mocking what someone else called them.

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Specializes in Hospital, PDN, rehab, corrections.
Things is, i haven't encountered an LPN who referes to themselves as "just an LPN", unless they're mocking what someone else called them.

True. What is also true is that there are many LPNs who can, (and do) run circles around the RNs they work with.

I work in the ER- and was the first LPN hired into the ER ever by our hospital. Now, there are six of us- and we wouldn't be there if we wern't as good or better than the RNs.

I don't know about you, but i's rather have a seasoned LPN taking care of me than a new RN... Just like I'd rather see a seasoned PA or NP before a resident.

There was a TV ad campaign that really hurt us a few years ago- the tagline was "When you visit the hospital, ask for a Real Nurse, an RN." Bunk.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
"When you visit the hospital, ask for a Real Nurse, an RN."

Yeah, to me that attitude just plain stinks, and i feel that plays a part in the shortage of nurses.

If i truly thought that the entire RN population thinks that way, i wouldn't even consider furthering my education (i know better than to think that's true). I wouldn't want to inherit such an arrogant 'real nurse' 'tude that the commercial protrays.

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Specializes in Registered Nurse.

Is there some test that tells you if you as good or better than the nurses you work with or is it a matter of opinion?

Truth is, any experienced nurse is probably better than a brand new nurse, IMO....but some catch on real fast and would be good very quickly.

Another good motto to go by (again IMO) is, 'There is always someone better than you and someone worse than you.'

:deadhorse

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I just was reading some other comments just now and remembered one of the first lectures I had in my RN program...the *old timer* teaching actually said that we would be RNs and that there were plenty of other workers in medical jobs that tried to look and act like RNs, but they were *wannabes*...WE (as RN students) would be the 'real thing". It disturbed me as a LPN (which I was at the time). It's true that some people think that way. It's not very nice or pleasant. Luckily, it isn't all people or all RNs that think that way.

That's funny, I'd swear that there are a lot of RN's out there who are only "wannabes". You know those people that you wonder in the back of your mind how they ever got a license to begin with?

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As a RN for about 20 years, I have to say one thing...

"You are a nurse" and "cut the crap". :deadhorse

The last LPN that told me "I'm just a LPN" drew a little bit of my wrath. I see the LPNs that I work with as professional and part of the crew....unless one proves otherwise. It ticks me off to no end :angryfirewhen a LPN uses "I'm just a LPN" to self belittle. No...I don't stand for it...not one bit.

So...stop beating yourself down. YOU ARE A NURSE!!!!!...and BE PROUD!!!

I appreciate your attitude, also.

THAT's what makes us want to work together with RNs.

We all have something to contribute, and so do CNAs, and when I see a CNA who is observant, and reports things to me, I appreciate that.

A CNA can make you or break you, IMO.

Let's work together, and get this job done, to the best of ability, after all,

it's not about us......it's about our patients, our customers, our people served, etc.

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I wonder where some of the behavior is learned when someone refers to me as "cheap labor" because i'm not an RN (actual words from this board). I mean, i'm aware that my job pays less, therefore considered economical, but the phrase "cheap labor" was not meant as fact, it was clearly meant as an insult.

To which i think to myself "Man, i will strive 200% to keep from acting so bitter towards people!"

I hope you don't think I'm bitter towards LPN's, Marie, as I am not. I was an LPN myself worked my way through RN school, and i only went on because I wanted ICU and in Minnesota LPN's could not work ICU in the 1970's. I was a good nurse as a LPN too, I was just being held back. :)

My comment about the cheaper labor is purely from an economic standpoint, and to explain how several of my LPN friends do so well as agency in some areas. It was not meant as a slam. LPN's can use this to THEIR advantage and they do in DFW, where experienced agency LPN's are often preferred. As an agency nurse, I was aware that I may not be working unless the LPN supply was exhausted first. Hospitals are big on costs. ;)

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

Oh no nooooooooo, i didn't see where you had used the words "cheap labor", i was refering to another post where someone else had said this to me. The person who had used those words pointedly to me didn't use the phrase as an economic standpoint. :)

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Specializes in Registered Nurse.
That's funny, I'd swear that there are a lot of RN's out there who are only "wannabes". You know those people that you wonder in the back of your mind how they ever got a license to begin with?

I have no idea. I have not met many bad nurses. The ones that were bad were lazy most of the time, not stupid. LPNS and RNS have different educations....but I know that LPNS are nurses. I was one for 13 years.

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I am working on my BSN. There is one LPN in my class. And every opportunity the teacher has to slam LPN's he does it. I dont know why. It is very rude.

In Chemistry there is a very bright CNA. And she gets it from both sides. RN's have been terribly ugly to her and other CNA's put her down for trying to get her BSN.

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.
I am working on my BSN. There is one LPN in my class. And every opportunity the teacher has to slam LPN's he does it. I dont know why. It is very rude.

He's trying to compesate for a tiny bodily organ (his mind).

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Denise, do NOT be discouraged, you ARE A NURSE.... a nurse takes care of people. I was an LPN 21 years, and NEVER felt LOWLY and treated like I was not as good, that I remember....

I HAVE seen RN's pull that in the place I work now, and I wrote my boss about it. RN's have to give the IV med pushes and take care of PICC lines etc. FOR LPN's. My attitude is , that the LPN's pts. meds are MINE. When they need something they NEED IT NOW. But some RN's don't like working with LPN's because of that... well too bad!!!

Maybe it is the fact I was an LPN for so long that I fee totally different I don't know.... and let me tell you one other thing, I am JUST AN RN! ha...

I am STILL a peon ... you will always be BELOW someone, so try to make the BEST of where you are, and care for you patients with ALL you are!!! :p

Kathy

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