I just graduated from a LPN program, PROUDLY! I learned so much, and am very thankful for the year. I know my LPN program has prepared me well for the kind of nurse I want to be (patient-centered, not just "theory"-centered).
I started a regular RN program last week. I don't tell people I'm an LPN, but it's getting out since I'm at the same school I did the LPN, and some instructors know me. I just wanted to start off on "equal" terms new RN students (no LPNs here) and didn't want people to think I'm "different".
These new RN students generally have no health care experience. I'm talking, we're learning to make beds, learning which end the probe goes on the thermometer, etc. No problem here, but the problem I'm having is their opinion of themselves as the "leader" in the clinical setting. There are LPNs at the clinical site, and EVEN our instructor overlooks the LPN. She tells us to go to the RN for ANY questions. Let me tell you, I KNOW the LPN is the one who knows what's going on with the patient, as I saw HER doing all the meds, interacting with the patients, etc. It's not the set-up that is bothering me, rather the overt disrespect that is given to the LPN by our instructor in front of these students who walked in without an opinion of LPNs. Walking out, our instructor is leading this group of RNs on step one of the path of the negative labelling of LPNs. Our instructor clearly gave the role of the RN, the role of the nurse tech, and then said that she's surprised that LPNs are still here at the hospital. I just had to ask, who do we go to if our all-mighty nurse (she wouldn't acknowledge the LPN as "nurse") goes on break? Can we go to the LPN if we have a question?? NO!!! She said to go to another RN! I know for a fact that the LPN and RN don't take lunch the same time, and the RN doesn't even give a report about patients to any other RN, as she knows that the LPN is overseeing the patients.
I'm just seeing that the LPN identity crisis (at least in my region) and blatant disrespect starts right on the first week of nursing school. If these students only realized that many people who aren't RNs have a bit of wisdom to share, those students might have a chance of getting in on it. What a shame, and how enlightening, yet disappointing, for me to see.
Okay, I'm gonna shake my own tail feathers here a minute...
The instructor who makes up our tests told the teachers, "well, no one's going to pass THIS test." She's also really clear that LPN equals "second class nurse" to her.
Well, guess what. The only people in the class at our campus who passed the test were the LPNs!
So, to "Miss Thang", where ever you are....this finger's for you.
nerdtonurse?, BSN, RN
1 Article; 2,043 Posts
Okay, I'm gonna shake my own tail feathers here a minute...
The instructor who makes up our tests told the teachers, "well, no one's going to pass THIS test." She's also really clear that LPN equals "second class nurse" to her.
Well, guess what. The only people in the class at our campus who passed the test were the LPNs!
So, to "Miss Thang", where ever you are....this finger's for you.