Tell me why an LVN/LPN is a "real nurse"

Nurses LPN/LVN

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Hey allnurses!

So today I was upset by a comment/question one of my coworkers made.

I am currently working as a CNA but I graduated from an LPN program and passed the NCLEX (currently looking for an LPN job). I don't want to let people know that I passed the boards or that I'm looking for a job, so as far as they know, I've only graduated from the program.

Anyway, today one of my coworkers asked me if I was a nurse, I said "no, not yet" she then asked "but you went to school to be a nurse right?" I said "yes I did" she then asked "so are you going to be a real nurse, or just an LPN?" I was VERY bothered by this question and I absolutely DESPISE when people don't see LPNs as nurses.

LPN, for people who are ignorant, stands for Licensed vocational NURSE! LPNs need to take and pass the NCLEX (the board examination that "real nurses" take) to be able to work as a NURSE. We need to apply and get accepted into a program which is NOT very easy. We study human anatomy, physiology, microbiology, AND pass those courses with A's or B's to get into a program. We spend clinical hours in various settings not only shadowing nurses but also getting hands on experience as the role of a NURSE. We've been in clinics, hospitals, long term care facilities, sub acute, psych units. I've passed meds (PO, SQ, IM), I've seen a live birth (assisted as much as I was allowed), Did trach care, reported with other nurses/doctors... I mean, I'm not going to go on and explain what I did as an LPN/LVN student. Point is, I went to school to study to be a NURSE, period. I passed the NURSING board to practice as a NURSE in my state. I really hate to be label as "just an LVN", "LVN" or "Not a real nurse". I'm a NURSE, darn it! And just because I did LPN/LVN doesn't mean it was easy, it was a very complicated, long, difficult journey!!

So, Why do people think that LVN's are not nurses? Is there a reason I don't know about as to why LVN/LPNs are not respected as "real nurses"?

Just wanted to know reasons why we ARE nurses. Maybe there's something I don't know.

Also, just to have reasons to tell other people why we ARE nurses. The only thing I was able to tell my coworker was that we do everything "real nurses" do except IVs (even then some states can do IV's).

Thanks guys, just a little annoyed, can't formulate words that well lol

I mean just by the name "LVN" has "Nurse" in it.... so I mean whats not "Real" about it?

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double post

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LPN - Little Play Nurse

RN - Real nurse

Just kidding. My wife is an LPN and a much better nurse than me any day of the week. Our state allows LPNs that are iv certified to do central line draws/meds, push iv meds except a few meds, etc etc. Ive got zero problems with LPNs, they are real nurses, just wish we would utilize them more on the floors.

Thanks...what state are you in?

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It is kind of aggravating when someone says what do you do for a living? I say I'm a nurse. And they say oh a RN? I say no I'm an LPN.

Got the same thing when I told someone I graduated from nursing school and they said "Cool! for RN?" I said, "no, LVN" they said "oh"

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WOW!! I didn't check this after I got 3 replies, I wasn't expecting a lot of replies from people:) Thanks everyone for words of encouragement, I just want to be recognized for what I have accomplished as it took a lot of hard work and effort, so when people say I'm not a real nurse, it's almost like discrediting everything I've done to be able to be Licensed as a NURSE. Thanks everyone :)

PS whoever said I was fun to pick at...your reply is irrelevant to this post.

I appreciate the people who actually wrote positive words.:)

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I hear the phrase all the time , I heard it when I was a emt and now that im an LPN , dont let it get to you , if it bothers you then deep down inside you may crave the ADN degree but it will all come in time. The difference you find between CNA to LPN , you will find even more weight on your shoulders from LPN to ADN

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I don't care whether it is NCLEX or scope of practice. But LPN is a nurse and be bold to say that you are nurse.

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Just to clarify, LPN's don't actually take the same NCLEX that RNs take, they take the NCLEX-PN.

LPN's are certainly nurses and play an important role in caring for patients, although they aren't really equivocal to Registered Nurses where a 2 year core nursing program is done, which is significantly different than a 1 year LPN program.

OP wasn't trying to state that her academic knowledge is equal to that of an RN. My knowledge as an RN-ADN isn't equivocal to a BSN and so forth. From what I read, she simply wants to know how to explain to ignorant people that she is in fact a nurse, with that protected title.

I agree in some settings, the roles of both the LPN a s RN ARE almost identical. As an RN I believe I have more in depth knowledge of pathophysiology and thus better assessment abilities.

HOWEVER, I have seen rock star LPN programs that very much enphasize pathophysiology and assessment, so I do not mean to make a broad, sweeping statement that most LPNs do not have this skill. But because all programs are not equal, do not meet the same standards, certain things are not in their scope of practice, even if an LPN knows how to do it better than an RN.

I don't know what to say to the ignorant pple who think LPNs aren't real nurses, just as I struggle with people believing BSN nurses are better tban me.

From one NURSE to another, OP, I'm sorry you have to deal with this nonesense. Just know the mis-education is theirs, not yours. Be proud of your title. YOU know the knowledge you've obtained. Be proud of it. I need ti take my own advice when looked down upon for not having my BSN yet. I am just soooo not ready to go back to school to do maiy research and writing papers. Ughhh the energy required.

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ignore the ignorant

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Specializes in OB, Family Practice, Pediatrics.

In the community college in my area, the LPN program and the first half of the RN program are identical.

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Toughen up Kid, don't let people define you. I'm a teacher and sometimes its you're just a teacher. Lol...just a teacher, no such thing. Vis a vis just a nurse, try counselor, healer, consoler, nutritionist, prayer warrior, psychologist, referee, advocate, strong tower. Girl bye! Never wear someone elses insecurities, it'll take you far trust me. Life lesson.

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Excuse about 24 years ago there was LPN prorams that was 2 years, just recently its been condensed to a year.

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