Sick of being a LPN

Steffers · Oct 23, 2009

I haven't even started working as an LVN yet, and I too feel the same way as you. I'm so sick of people asking why, I didn't go get my RN, because "it can't be that hard to get into to". People have NO CLUe! BLAH!

MissBrittanyRN · Oct 23, 2009

I just wanted to tell you nurses that I am sorry for what you are going through, and that I have nothing but respect for LPNs as I know that they are excellent nurses. I learned much more from the LPNs that were caring for my assigned patients in nursing school. I just want to warn you, it may not be quite as often, but when you are an RN they ask "where's the MD?"

Fiona59 · Oct 23, 2009

Take pride in what you do. I can honestly tell you that in the last month, no one has asked my "rank". They just accept me for the nurse providing their care. And yes, it's printed right on my name tag, under the picture.

egglady, LPN · Oct 23, 2009

I have been an LPN for about a hundred years... If you have to "defend" your job and your knowledge, then I do believe you also need to grow a backbone. be proud. whatever....... Lets hear from some SEASONED LPN's. you know, some of us who have been an LPN for longer than a year, like how bout longer than 10 years... How bout you walk a mile in our shoes and lets see....... gosh we need a forum for LPNs or RNs who have been doing this FOREVER!!! Not just a week or a year.........

Steffers · Oct 23, 2009

Wow egglady, your a little harsh. Everyone has the right to have an opinion and to have feelings without being told to grow a backbone. Sheesh!! Plus what does you having been an LVN for a "hundred years" have to do with ANYTHING?! What, because you have been an LVN for longer means that you know more about what she is feeling?! That my dear was YOUR choice not to continue your education! I personally don't know ANY LVN's who want to just stay at being an LVN. It's just a stepping stone for most.(AND YES, I KNOW NOT ALL LVN'S WANT TO BE RN'S, AND ARE CONTENT AS AN LVN.)

Oh and btw, congrats on getting into a bridge program Lilaclover that's awesome:yeah:. I want to start Indiana state, but I need that JOB so I can pay for it:cool:.

Cherybaby · Oct 23, 2009

Not nice, egglady. Talk about eating your young! Munch munch!

Anyway, Lila...I got questioned a lot about my knowledge in my first year as an LPN. And, I always felt like I had to "defend" myself. However, that feeling has dissipated with time. There are a lot of ignorant people out there who do not understand that LPN's do form the backbone of the nursing community. LPN's provide a lot of bedside care while RN's get relegated to managerial tasks. NOT stating that RN's do not do bedside nursing. Of course they do. I just know that a lot of the RN's I work with don't get to spend the quality time with patients the way that they really want to. That's where LPN's fit in. Primary line of defense! LOL I love being an LPN. I really don't care if I hold this title forever. I enjoy what I do. People still say things like "you're really smart...why aren't you an RN?" I don't let that bother me. That's just their ignorance talking. I simply tell them that I am content with my position...and I love being a nurse. When I was actively working, I got to spend a lot of time with my patients while they are in recovery rooms, post surgery, whereas my RN counterparts got stuck with a whole lot of charting. They also get a lot more abuse from the MD's than I do! They usually demand to speak to an RN...in which case I am like...HERE YA GO! and hand off the phone. You have to be comfortable with yourself and secure with your decision.

I agree with ONE thing that egglady said...and that is to be proud. You ARE a nurse.

I have been doing this for awhile now...and my mother still asks me when I am going to become a "real nurse". I just laugh it off. No big deal. She just wants the Jewish Mother bragging rights...LOL

egglady, LPN · Oct 23, 2009

So, obviously I wrote my last reply on a bad day- if as I re-read it I can see that it wasnt just "a little" harsh. It was kinda rude. I am sorry for that. I absolutley did mean it though when I said be proud of what you do. Have self-confidence! Hold your head high!

LovebugLPN · Oct 23, 2009

I like how you put it the first time.

Fiona59 · Oct 23, 2009

Steffers:

I've been an LPN for a decade. I've continued my education BUT NOT in Nursing. Right now I view nursing as a source of a pension, spending money, and in a few years I'm out of there. Why would I spend $30K (and 3 years in Uni in a course I have no interest in) to spike a blood or Travisol bag. The scope is so close in my province I make what a new grad RN makes and have no desire to be Charge. Couldn't pay me to do that job.

In fact, one of our patients said to our newest BScN hire "if you just follow that nurse over there (pointing to an LPN) she'll teach you everything you need to know and maybe in a few years you'll be as good a nurse as she is".

It's the human behind the title not the title that provides the care and knowledge.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Oct 24, 2009

It can be taken by some that egglady's response was a bit harsh, but I understand her rationale. Once you put your foot down to people, they learn to leave you alone. Each person makes their own choices and has to deal with the outcome, may it be positive or negative (usually, it is a bit of both on either side of LPNs as well as RNs).

I am one of those that decided well before entering school that I was not interested in being an RN and each day, I am glad I made that decision. The same as mentioned above, most times, I don't have to deal with the doctors or other entities the same way the RN does, since I work in a hospital, I am never in charge of a unit (but I am team leader of a corridor), and I get to interact with the patients in my clinic in a productive way. I show each day that I am a qualified NURSE; one who keeps up with trends, continues to read and am in demand wherever I go. In fact, my charge nurse is quite angry that I am pulled alot by nursing supervisors because of what I contribute and being a teamplayer. So, yes, I am an LPN that proudly chooses to remain one with no shame or embarassment of my choice.

egglady, LPN · Oct 24, 2009

thank you pagendeva2000. I now know that I am not alone!!