"JUST" an Lpn

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I'm a new lpn, work in a clinic setting where I assist the doc with in office procedures. I was telling a family member about it, and in a shocked voice says "well where is the nurse when ur doing these procedures?" I said I am the nurse. She says " but your an lpn". I didn't know what to say, this isn't the first time I've had to try and explain the whole rn and lpn thing to the same person, they just don't get it. This person has said several times she thinks lpns just takes vital signs. Anyone ever dealt with anything similar?

Has nothing to do with dumping anything on an RN. It's about being an lpn and yet not being viewed as a nurse. Mabye if someone questioned your credentials repeatedly you would find it frustrating.

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I totally agree!

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I understand your frustrations. I've been an LPN for 3 years now. I work at a Pediatric LTC vent unit. Most of the RN's come to me when they need to figure out how to do something. I get paid significantly less but hold the same responsibilities. I'm currently in school trying to advance because I'm tired of getting paid less for doing the same amount of work.

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Specializes in Sub acute transitional care.

I know what I am. A proud Lpn and yes I'm nurse and I don't care if it's not recognize. I like don't have time or energy to explain it. Nurses are all under appreciated on some level.

Don't take it personally. Be more secure

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Specializes in SNF, Home Health & Hospice, L&D, Peds.
:nurse: I was having Easter brunch with my then BF's family. His aunt is an ARNP and there were some other older women who I didn't know well. One of the older women said to me across the large table "Are you a nurse too." I said "Yes I am" then she asked if I was an RN. I said "I am an LPN" to which she replied "Oh you're not a real nurse then." I was just left speechless.
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Maybe she thinks it stands for "real nurse"? :dead:

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When somebody, family or not, says "just a Lpn" I say "Yes, and what kind of nurse are you?" Shuts them up every time!

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Not to toot my own horn but I run circles around some RN at my job, I'm constantly told to continue for my RN, which I will but right now I'm a rock ass Nurse without it. It's just ignorance but even though it's annoying I educate the ignorant so that the next LPN doesn't have to.

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Until I became licensed I never realized how many people do not know what the R in RN means or what LPN stands for.. I had a patient just the other day ask me if I was a "regular" nurse or an LPN..🤔

And yes... I heard her right!

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I usually just smile and say that the 'n' stands for 'nurse'. After being mistakenly referred to as a 'nurse' while I was a CNA or a SN, I figure that it's a wash. ;)

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I'm a LPN/LVN currently in RN school. I just tell people I am a nurse and when they inquire more I say I'm a licensed nurse.

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Specializes in Hospice.

That really gets to me! Ugh! We are nurses and it was a lot of hard work getting licensed. I don't mean to be rude but the ones I have come in contact with that come out of the 4 yr programs, are not very hands on, nor critical thinkers. We get a lot more of hands on experience in LPN school. I am in school right now for my RN and I will never underestimate the LPN's I will work with in the future.

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