Some people should not become nurses

[patrick T]

Ive talked with nursing students and alot of them have alot of misconceptions about the profession. Im going to lay it all down here... If you want to become a nurse, dont waste your time becoming a LPN or a medical assistant. Both are underpaid jobs and you cant do alot and you are not allowed to think for yourself. Contrary to what LPNs say or think, they lack the knowledge that RNs have and dont have the clinical know how that a RN learns. I dont care if you ve been a LPN for 20 years, there are things that the LPNs just dont pick up on. If you are getting into nursing, it shouldnt be for the money. You should have the drive to make patients lives better. Get into business world if you want to make money. Nurses do make good money though. Another thing is that these nurses with a BSN think that they are going to get into administration right away and not do anything else. I experienced future BSN nurses with this attitude in my RN to BSN completion program. well good luck

[ChicagolandRN]

Ive talked with nursing students and alot of them have alot of misconceptions about the profession. Im going to lay it all down here...

I think A LOT of people have misconceptions about the profession, but I think it's impossible to "lay it all down" anywhere. Nurses need to continue to define and clairify exaclty what we do in order to get the respect and understanding we deserve.

That being said, JMHO...I think there are plenty of places that use LPNs (and pay them well). Making rash generalizations about LPNs only serves to further confuse and mislead those who don't know a whole lot about the nursing profession (including those who have already decided to enter nursing).

In case you're wondering, I'm an RN, BSN too.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

Originally posted by patrick T

Contrary to what LPNs say or think, they lack the knowledge that RNs have and dont have the clinical know how that a RN learns. I dont care if you ve been a LPN for 20 years, there are things that the LPNs just dont pick up on.

And there's quite a few RN's who think they know everything and let it be known that they think that way.

Fortunately, i'm open minded enough to know that not all RN's, be they ADN or BSN (or MSN), are even like that.

[palesarah]

You're right, a lot of people do have misconceptions about the profession.

Unfortunately, you seem to be one of them and apparently don't realize it.

I am an RN. Although I work in a facility that does not utilize LPNs, I am still able to see that LPNs are a much-needed (and undervalued) part of the healthcare team. Especially in LTC facilities.

A person does not need an RN, BSN or MSN to prove that they are able to think critically and perform patient care. And having an RN, BSN and/or MSN after your name does not prove that you are able to do these things either.