What do/did you say when...

rn2bnot · Sep 27, 2004

I've been asked this question too many times and after a while I started doubting myself...my favorite person to ask me, and who did so with such a condescending tone, hadn't even graduated high school let alone do any vocational training in their life! Honestly, I felt like, "How dare YOU look at me and question me like that when you couldn't even finish high school!"

NancyJo · Oct 18, 2004

I've been an LPN for 18 years and at one time thought about going back to school. Now I am content. I heard the same questions for years and was encouraged by different bosses to go. Eventually they stop asking. Now I just tell people that I love my job and an comfortable with what I do. Who could ask for anything more?

Fiona59 · Oct 18, 2004

I did the LPN because I wanted to nurse. Where I live the competition for the RN program was horrific. You needed high 80 percentile to get accepted. I wasnt willing to go back and redo all my Grade 12 Biology and Chemistry courses.

The nurse educators where I worked asked why I didnt go back. When I pointed the above out to them they were appalled. They thought the LPN-RN bridge was going to ignore things like that, but it doesn't.

I enjoy my work. I like my patients. On some of the units the only difference between an RN's duty and and LPN's were the LPN could not hang medicated IV bags and insert an NG tube (even though we were trained how).

I know that my practical skills are better than many new RN grads, and some of their instructors.

Patients dont care what the initials behind their nurses name are, only that she/he is capable of looking after them.

So, no, I won't be redoing the last two years of high school to have current lab science courses to apply for RN school and make an extra $8/hour.

LPN is often labelled Lowest Paid Nurse, I now look at it as Loud, Proud, Nurse.

Kaelie · Oct 18, 2004

I did the LPN because I wanted to nurse. Where I live the competition for the RN program was horrific. You needed high 80 percentile to get accepted. I wasnt willing to go back and redo all my Grade 12 Biology and Chemistry courses.
The nurse educators where I worked asked why I didnt go back. When I pointed the above out to them they were appalled. They thought the LPN-RN bridge was going to ignore things like that, but it doesn't.
I enjoy my work. I like my patients. On some of the units the only difference between an RN's duty and and LPN's were the LPN could not hang medicated IV bags and insert an NG tube (even though we were trained how).
I know that my practical skills are better than many new RN grads, and some of their instructors.
Patients dont care what the initials behind their nurses name are, only that she/he is capable of looking after them.
So, no, I won't be redoing the last two years of high school to have current lab science courses to apply for RN school and make an extra $8/hour.
LPN is often labelled Lowest Paid Nurse, I now look at it as Loud, Proud, Nurse.

:balloons: Great reply Fiona & so very true!!!

Fiona59 · Oct 18, 2004

Thank you!

Can you explain why RN's suddenly need University Arts? In my LPN class, 50% of us had some post secondary education.

I'm just tired of so many people looking "down" on LPN's. Hell, even one of my inlaws asked if I "wasn't smart enough to be a real nurse". I pointed out what I did for a living, and asked if they were capable of looking after someone from birth to death. I am.

What really discourages me is the difference in how we are utilized across Canada. I never felt less than a full team member in Alberta, but recently relocated to BC (a smaller community) where LPN's arent too highly regarded. There are scores of RN vacancies at the local hospitals but I can't work those units because LPN's "dont do that here". People in my area think I make beds and perform ADL's. I am all of that and experienced wound care nurse, my patients advocate.

I truly think education of the public is the way to go. CLPNA is proud of its members, provides their insurance with yearly license, and advocates loudly for us within the Province. CLPNBC doesnt do anything for insurance but advise u to get ur own, through LPNABC. 2 many groups people.

All for $16/hour in Alberta.

Limik · Oct 18, 2004

I've been an LPN for 18 years and at one time thought about going back to school. Now I am content. I heard the same questions for years and was encouraged by different bosses to go. Eventually they stop asking. Now I just tell people that I love my job and an comfortable with what I do. Who could ask for anything more?

Amen NancyJo! I think as long as you are content and fulfilled with the job that you have, you don't need to put yourself through the torture of school to get new initials behind your name. Sometimes getting your LPN is the ultimate goal, not a stepping stone to an RN.

Limik

proudmommielpn · Oct 19, 2004

hahaha! I got SOOOO sick of this question, I'm back in school for my RN!!! :)
When people ask me why I am an LPN 'instead of an RN', I just smile and tell then it was what was right for me at the time. I'm happy with the path I've taken and I wouldn't have done it any other way.

Well, let me see................ :uhoh3: When I went to school I was working as a CNA in a LTC and loved it. But I decided to go to school for LPN , my mom is one too and in reality, an LPN can do everything an RN can do, in KY except for hang blood and some paper work. So why go on? When I was in school I worked like 1-2 days a week went to school full time, was a mom and wife and my hubby got layed off right in the middle of my 2nd semester. I too would like to go back and get my RN but I need to do it online and can't really find any programs that I can afford right now and quitting work and going full time is not an option.

haydenstyle · Oct 21, 2004

I have been asked that same question so many times! I already have a B.S. in exercise science & it seems as if no one can understand why I would not have gone into RN school instead. So I asked our program coordinator who has her BSN how she felt about what people were saying to me. She told me to hold my head up high and to remember that LPN's are the backbone of the nursing profession. So whenever some idiot asks me that question I think of her response and it makes me feel so much better. However, I am going to go back to school to get my RN, but until then I am not going to let anyone bring me down because I am very proud to be a LPN:wink2:

ShortyLPN · Oct 28, 2004

When I was in my LPN training, we had one rotation in surgery. When the surgeon asked me what I was in, I said, nursing...he said...Oh RN? I replied, no LPN. While the surgeon kind of gave me a look, his Physician's Assistant said,"Oh, I love LPN's...It only takes them one year to do what RN's do in two years!" I've loved that saying ever since and it made me even prouder to be an LPN. I am going on to my RN, but I've heard that LPN's that have gone on in my program have absolutely no problem because of the experience that was provided for us in the LPN program. We had over 600 clinical hours compared to the RN's 300. I'll never regret going LPN first. :nurse:

ShortyLPN · Oct 28, 2004

When I was in my LPN training, we had one rotation in surgery. When the surgeon asked me what I was in, I said, nursing...he said...Oh RN? I replied, no LPN. While the surgeon kind of gave me a look, his Physician's Assistant said,"Oh, I love LPN's...It only takes them one year to do what RN's do in two years!" I've loved that saying ever since and it made me even prouder to be an LPN. I am going on to my RN, but I've heard that LPN's that have gone on in my program have absolutely no problem because of the experience that was provided for us in the LPN program. We had over 600 clinical hours compared to the RN's 300. I'll never regret going LPN first. :nurse:

tommycher · Oct 28, 2004

When I graduated LVN school, I went to buy myself a brand new car. The salesman,after hearing I had graduated nursing school, asked, RN? I said LVN. He asked "Why only LVN?" So, a few days later headed up the freeway, bought the car that I had fallen in love with that that salesman wouldn't show me, kept showing me the cheaper cars. Drove back to that first salesman in my new car, and asked him to quit leaving messages on my machine, I no longer need a new car! I loved it!

tommycher · Oct 28, 2004

When I graduated LVN school, I went to buy myself a brand new car. The salesman,after hearing I had graduated nursing school, asked, RN? I said LVN. He asked "Why only LVN?" So, a few days later headed up the freeway, bought the car that I had fallen in love with that that salesman wouldn't show me, kept showing me the cheaper cars. Drove back to that first salesman in my new car, and asked him to quit leaving messages on my machine, I no longer need a new car! I loved it!