Remarks made to an LPN student

Nursing Students LPN-RN

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I am going to school to become an LPN. I have heard the RNs at my clinicals say very horrible things. One of them asked me, "Why are you wasting your time to become an LPN?" "Why don't you just go to be an RN?" They have even told me that RN stands for real nurse. I found this very offensive, but what can I do? I don't understand why some nurses act this way. We are all in it to help people, so why all of the remarks from some of the nurses? I am planning on getting my RN, but I want to work my way up so that I will respect all positions equally. Has anybody else been in a similar situation?

Specializes in PPS/MDS, Med/Surg, Ortho, HH.

I agree with the duck statement...let it roll off of your back. I finished my LPN in 92. In my 15 years of experience, I have met many a LPN that work circles around a lot of RNs. Back when I was in lpn school, we had a full pt load of 8-10 pts on the med surg floor. Now that I am working on my RN, I will never have more than one pt per clinical...so what does that tell you?

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I am going for LPN first because I need a better job soon. How insecure do you have to be to put down someone for trying to better themselves?

I've had people tell me that I can't work in a hospital...oh well,get off your butt and do something before putting me down.

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I probably would have asked that RN why she isn't a nurse practitioner. I am waiting to take my state boards for LPN. From what I have heard from RNs who have gon the LPN route first is that LPN school is much more demanding and rigorous than RN school. LPNs here do the monday thru friday 7-8 hours a day. I have also heard of new RNs not knowing how to start IVs. People are people, they are always trying to make someone else feel worse than they feel about themselves. LPN is just a stepping stone for me, I will work FT as an LPN for a bit to try and recover some of the funds I spent while in "NURSING SCHOOL." And go back and get my RN. But thats not to say that there isnt a need for LPNs or that they are unimportant. The job of an LPN is a difficult one, especially when they are so underappreciated and underpaid for the hard work and long days they put in. I have been a nurse aid for a few years and I have had the experience of many back breaking days. In todays healthe care the STNA or CNA, the LPN and RNs are equally as important.

I have very little tolerance for people who esteem themselves above others. I am very outspoken and probably would have asked her if she thinks that LPN work isn't important? Or if she thinks that becasue she chose a different road to persue than myself does it make her a better person? On occassion I have asked people who say these things, "Do you have issues with yourself, or are you just a rude person becasue you can be?"

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Specializes in LTC.
You must always remember that a person does not feel the need to insult another human being unless their own self esteem is lacking.

Absolutely! Remember Maslow. I had an instructor is school who said that if someone is being rude to you picture their head as a triangle (Maslow's) and know that they are stuck in "Safety and Security" and just say to yourself..."Awh, poor thing!";)

The simple fact that you are going to school to make something of yourself is a tremendous compliment to your character. Hold your head high and know that you are making a difference.

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Specializes in Hospice, ER.

I hear the "why didn't you just go to RN school instead" a lot. :uhoh3: Well, because my 10 month LPN program gave me a decent income and allowed me to get into the one day a week RN program at the local college. If I had waited to go to RN school, I would still be waiting. Also, when I go to RN school, I'll know my way around a patient and not just stand there looking like a deer caught in the headlights (seen this a lot w/new nursing students, been their myself). I'm not worried about RN school. If I could survive my LPN program, everything else is doable.

Deb

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Some people are just jerks. Do your own thing.

You could always ask her to explain herself. Or you can explain your plan to her, let her know that you just have a plan for yourself, you are doing what you decided is best for you, etc.

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I probably would have asked that RN why she isn't a nurse practitioner. I am waiting to take my state boards for LPN. From what I have heard from RNs who have gon the LPN route first is that LPN school is much more demanding and rigorous than RN school. LPNs here do the monday thru friday 7-8 hours a day. I have also heard of new RNs not knowing how to start IVs. People are people, they are always trying to make someone else feel worse than they feel about themselves. LPN is just a stepping stone for me, I will work FT as an LPN for a bit to try and recover some of the funds I spent while in "NURSING SCHOOL." And go back and get my RN. But thats not to say that there isnt a need for LPNs or that they are unimportant. The job of an LPN is a difficult one, especially when they are so underappreciated and underpaid for the hard work and long days they put in. I have been a nurse aid for a few years and I have had the experience of many back breaking days. In todays healthe care the STNA or CNA, the LPN and RNs are equally as important.

I have very little tolerance for people who esteem themselves above others. I am very outspoken and probably would have asked her if she thinks that LPN work isn't important? Or if she thinks that becasue she chose a different road to persue than myself does it make her a better person? On occassion I have asked people who say these things, "Do you have issues with yourself, or are you just a rude person becasue you can be?"

She actually might not have meant it in a mean way. Maybe it was her way, albeit misperceived and poorly communicated, of saying that you are good enough at Nursing, smart enough, skilled enough to be earning better pay and having more opportunities to choose from, so why not go back and get your RN. Maybe it was her way of encouraging her to continue on.

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I am an LPN and have been for 10 years. I am also IV certified and therefore there are only a few things that an RN can do that I cannot do. You as an LPN will find that some RN's will treat LPN's as if they are stupid or beneath them. But not all of them are that way. All you need to tell them is that the N stands for the same thing (NURSE) and we are all in this for the patient not for titles and see where that leaves you. It worked for me. I once told a RN that treated LPN's the same way that you had been treated and she did not know what to say. You will get the chance to prove yourself one day and gain their respect. Hang in there. I feel it is a gratifying career. Challenging and frustrating sometimes but gratifying.

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Nasty RNs aren't the only ones who will have their comments about LPNs. I've been an LPN for almost 5 years (will be finishing my RN program in Dec), part of which was spent working in rehab. Patients would dish the crap too. First I got the "Are you old enough to be doing this?" (at 20 years old and not quite looking it), and then would come the "Aren't there any REAL nurses here?"

A smile and response along the lines of "According to the state board of education I am a real nurse" would usually take care of the problem. And as hard as it may be sometimes, some comments are best simply ignored.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I've been an LPN for almost 5 years (will be finishing my RN program in Dec), part of which was spent working in rehab. Patients would dish the crap too.
I have to agree wholeheartedly. I currently work on a rehab unit with some of the most needy, abusive, and demanding patients.

In my personal experience, some of the patients and visitors have been more cruel to me than any RN I've ever worked alongside.

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I have been an LPN for over seven years and I also have heard remarks made by RNs. I am working toward my RN now. As far as if LPNs are real nurses is just a way to make the person saying it feel superior. I have trained RNs and BSNs on the job. Everyone comes out of nursing school with many questions and doubts. Experience, common sense, and being caring are what makes a good nurse. It is surprising that an RN would feel this way toward an LPN. It is less schooling, but a lot of what is learned is learned on the job for all nurses. I've seen many RNs make some bad mistakes, same with LPNs, thats why common sense is so important. I've seen LPNs make the first initiative to an emergency, when the RN is standing right there. It doesn't matter, it only matters how good of a nurse someone decides to be.

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