As an offshoot to the News article about nursing education, an opinion was brought to the board that LPNs are not adequately prepared to care for patients, and that their education is not strenuous like an RN program is. Having been in the field for awhile, what is your opinion on the differences between LPNs and RNs, other than the legally different aspects (LPNs cannot do initial assessments or IVs in my state for instance)
I'm not looking to start trouble, but rather discuss the topic in an area other than an unrelated thread.
Differences in LPNs vs RNs (educationally, functionally, intellectually)
Best way to combat any possible negatives of the above
Advice for an LPN student (who is too far through her program to just throw it out and start over in an RN program - already applied for an LPN to RN program starting Jan 2010)
Should I really expect to run into attitudes in the workplace about my not being worthwhile as an employee and a care provider because I chose the path that I have? How do you handle it if you do?
There is a local small rural hospital that pays incredibly well for LPNs right out of school and who has been trying very hard to recruit us during clinicals... am I going to be inequipped to care for patients there because of my education? I would never want to get into a situation where patient care was compromised because my education was lacking somehow...
Why can't we all see each other as friends and neighbors, and not see the black nurse or Indian doctor, the Nigerian x-ray tech, the Jamacian receptionist, or the white cleaning lady ? This is 2009. We need to set a better example for our children, and see each other for WHO we are. Remember what Dr King said ' Judged by the content of our heart, and not the color of our skin ?' Let's learn to see each other as God sees us, people, not perfect, but making a better world for those who come behind us.
Though I agree with you, I also have to note that in order to get to that point you have to acknowledge the isssues so that you know what to work on. Ignoring a situation is a sure way to allow it to continue, grow, and become worse.
Not trying to start something ugly but in the area that I work in, most LPNs are African-American, while most RNs are still White Americans. This may be reflected across the states as well. I think somewhere in the whole mish-mash of LPN vs RN, this factor resides. And as in the 70s and 80s, advancement of African-American RNs is still more troublesome than White RNs.
I know I will get flamed- but that is a bunch of crock- opportunity and advancement exists for everyone regardless of gender, color, race etc I have seen good and bad in everyone. In nsg school we had all kinds and none were given preferential treatment nor was the road made easier for anyone. I dont think this factor resides in this thread at all. I am sorry if you see it in your place(s) of work.
Perhaps you misunderstood. I did not make reference to this thread or nursing school, it was specifically directed at the workplace and in relation to the "Should LPNs be done away with" issue, aka LPN vs RN licensing.
Perhaps you misunderstood. I did not make reference to this thread or nursing school, it was specifically directed at the workplace and in relation to the "Should LPNs be done away with" issue, aka LPN vs RN licensing.
And you recommend doing away with LPN's license?????
I am currently an LPN and have been for six years in Alberta, Canada. As an LPN here we do almost everything that RN's do. Depending on where you work. Total patient care is done by LPN's from assessment to care. I am also currently working on a university degree to transition from LPN to RN, and I feel much more confident with my nursing experience behind me, my LPN program was very comprehensive, but the one the job learning is invaluable, I now feel more prepared to handle a higher degree of responsibility. I also had more clinical time in my LPN program, and since I'm almost done the RN program I must say that so the university program is lacking in clinical "real" life experience. All the papers I've had to write are useless in the actual patient care environment.
As a nurse, you should be the one leading the troops to equality for all, and it sounds to me as if you are looking for an excuse to turn this issue into a black versus white thing, instead of what is is ......... the establishment can't 'do' without LPN's. There's enough of a nursing shortage anyway. Move up front, no matter the color or nationality of the one next to you.
It's an ongoing topic, not brought up by me. My previous comments were in regard to a possible solution to the issue for states, insurance companies and for those who think that the only real nurse is the RN. This addresses the "LPN can't do this" issues.
I consider that the reality may be that there is more to the RN vs LPN issue than the straight forward "LPNs can do this but not that" issue. Things are usually not simple. By acknowledging what may be the entire issue, one can look at it entirely and resolve it entirely. It is naive to believe that biases/prejudices don't exist on all levels. Just because we'd rather they aren't there doesn't make them disappear.
Currently, there is a place for LPNs, primarily in LTC, however not all LPNs want to work in nursing homes, some want to work in acute care-hospitals, emergency rooms, dialysis, etc. LPNs have very few of those opportunities.
t.l., ASN, RN
27 Posts
Why can't we all see each other as friends and neighbors, and not see the black nurse or Indian doctor, the Nigerian x-ray tech, the Jamacian receptionist, or the white cleaning lady ? This is 2009. We need to set a better example for our children, and see each other for WHO we are. Remember what Dr King said ' Judged by the content of our heart, and not the color of our skin ?' Let's learn to see each other as God sees us, people, not perfect, but making a better world for those who come behind us.