Why do I always hear, why are you ONLY doing LPN?

Nurses LPN/LVN

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I am tired of explaining this to people. I tried the RN but did not get lucky..

If I ask that of an LPN, the LPN should understand it as a compliment. Ok, so I'm a fairly new RN, but LPN's on the job have taught me a lot and many I've met are sooooo capable and excellent at what they do.

At the current travel assignment I'd be lost without the LPN. She's showed me more CYA paperwork (very important here - not a negative about the assignment) and familiarized me with more about the job than I could have hoped. The RN on the other hand is useless.

So if I've asked why only an LPN, it's because so many have been so darned good and they should have a way to earn more and be respected more.

Take the assignment I'm on... the LPN's are valued and the manager is great, but really, the company see's them as dime a dozen. On the other hand, as an RN with far less experience, placed in charge mind you. I get special expenses, different housing, almost double the pay, and management treats the RN's slightly better, meaning we have way more say over scheduling and assignments.

So LPN's, if ya hear it from me, I've often appreciated ya being there and think with a little time in a book you could get a whole lot more..

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Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.
if i ask that of an lpn, the lpn should understand it as a compliment. ok, so i'm a fairly new rn, but lpn's on the job have taught me a lot and many i've met are sooooo capable and excellent at what they do.

at the current travel assignment i'd be lost without the lpn. she's showed me more cya paperwork (very important here - not a negative about the assignment) and familiarized me with more about the job than i could have hoped. the rn on the other hand is useless.

so if i've asked why only an lpn, it's because so many have been so darned good and they should have a way to earn more and be respected more.

take the assignment i'm on... the lpn's are valued and the manager is great, but really, the company see's them as dime a dozen. on the other hand, as an rn with far less experience, placed in charge mind you. i get special expenses, different housing, almost double the pay, and management treats the rn's slightly better, meaning we have way more say over scheduling and assignments.

so lpn's, if ya hear it from me, i've often appreciated ya being there and think with a little time in a book you could get a whole lot more..

yeah i know some people care and don't mean harm when they ask me that question but some people i feel and know that they are just putting me down....oh well u cannot make everyone happy no matter what you do so i just have to learn to accept dat...

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I am tired of explaining this to people. I tried the RN but did not get lucky..

I used to say "I am proud to be an L.P.N. and feel I am just as good of a nurse as a lot of the R.N.'s!" :uhoh3:After saying that for 20+ years I finally did go back and get my R.N. I was tired of doing basically the same work and making way less money!:nono:

I can honestly tell you that I felt like I got way more clinical experience as an L.P.N. student than I did as an R.N. My job hasn't changed much either as an R.N., but my pay check sure has!

I can relate to what you are saying though and how frustrating it is when people make negative comments about L.P.N.'s. When I graduated from R.N. school, my 83 year old Mom told me "I am glad I lived long enough to see you become a REAL nurse!" :angryfire You can imagine how frustrating that was to hear!

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Specializes in 5 yrs OR, ASU Pre-Op 2 yr. ER.

If I ask that of an LPN, the LPN should understand it as a compliment.

And if i had a dime for everytime i heard that.

I just don't seen that as a compliment, because i don't read that much into a non-specific statement. If someone asks if i'm an LPN, i replly 'yes,' and they say 'that's great,' now that's a compliment.

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Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

People just ask thoughtless nosy questions sometimes, like "Are you going to get your tubes tied when the baby is born"? of "What kind of birth control were you using?" or "Why are you using disposable diapers and distroying the environment?" or "Why do you go to THAT church, I've heard the pastor is a scam artist" or "What's THAT you're are eating, yuck it makes me want to puke!"

Just chalk it up to foot in mouth disease. Dear Abby advised people to respond "Why do you want to know?".

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Specializes in Med surg, cardiac, case management.

Just tell them to buzz off. Just put it more politely;)

I've heard similar questions about my own career path...like several posters have suggeted, I tell people "It's best for me".

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i can relate to what you are saying though and how frustrating it is when people make negative comments about l.p.n.'s. when i graduated from r.n. school, my 83 year old mom told me "i am glad i lived long enough to see you become a real nurse!" :angryfire you can imagine how frustrating that was to hear!

wow - this is right on with my thoughts today. my....dear mother, guilty of the same thing "my daughter is a nurse, i mean she's just an lvn...but she's going to be getting her rn soon...." like she'd say this to anyone that listened.

well, after becoming an lvn 4 years ago - and a darn good one at that - and working my butt off - becoming a chpln, being requested over and over by facilities where i work as agency - have finally become fed up with the pt load, the limited mobility, the limited fields open....not to say the enormous dif in pay....

finally enrolled in excelsior - and am going to hyperfocus over the next 9 months and 'get my rn'.

what i anticipate my mother now saying "oh, it's one of those tv courses for nurses - like you have to buy your diploma and it's not a real nurse".

so i don't think i'm going to tell her. even in our 50's - our mothers still have the sharps and barbs to deflate or egos, our balloons, and rain on our parades.

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Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.

okay. today was my first day of med surg ii clinicals at the hospital. all my classmates (9 including me) and my instructor were on the elevator with these two ladies who i assumed work in that hospital. so we were on the elevator with our obvious uniforms and my instructor was orienting and she said "ok here on the 3rd floor is the or, and the 4th floor is the specialties, ...yara..yara...etc.. then one of the ladies whispered to the other person and said "are they nursing students?" and her friend said "no, they are lpn". my other classmate heard it too and we just looked at each other ablazed :angryfire......i guess we are not in school to be a nurse. i don't know what to say anymore. maybe i could say i am in a vocational school that teaches on how to look and pretend like a nurse....

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Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.

valued mods can you please transfer this post to the lvn/lpn forum because i want to hear more from my fellow lpns/lvns.

thank you,

angel

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I am not really insulted by what people think, but I am insulted by what people think they can get away with saying. I can see if I had asked or was crying upset because I am a bitter LPN that wishes to become an RN, but I am not. It was an interesting journey for me during school, because I walked away with thinking that there was more to life than academic and job politics. I was so stressed out and angry during school that I really can't see me sitting in any other nursing program, taking another NCLEX or anything else. I remember making a promise to myself a few days before taking the dreaded NCLEX that I would not do this anymore and thus far, I am steadfast on that decision. I want to enjoy life, my family and friends.

If you choose to go further in your education, that is a great thing. However, do not let these people get to you. No one can live your life for you; face your personal challenges or achievements but YOU. And, always carry yourself with professionalism and knowledge. Whether you are an LPN or an RN, this will COMMAND respect. Most of the RNs I work with have grown to respect me because of what I contribute as a team player and they appreciate my presence. I don't think I would be able to offer the same as an RN, because that additional responsibility would drive me insane. But, that comes from knowing myself. You will know if nursing, period will be your cup of tea, and you will also know the right time to go further with your education.

And remember this; there are many who WISH to become YOU. While there are many that may insult you, there will be others that would give their last tooth and nail to become an LPN, CNA, or housekeeper at a steady position. I have seen many who told me they wished to get ANYWHERE in health care. Be totally proud of yourself!

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i told my mom i would do adn first because i want to be an rn already and she would always say yeah but u have to do bsn too. sometimes, it is very discouraging when your own parents do that. i sure would not do that to my kids when i have them in future.....

i'm very happy to hear how supportive you will be of your future children.

afterall, attaining a goal (any goal!) is about accomplishment and realizing one of many potentials in life.

so while you acknowledge the pride you will share w/your kids, how about extending that same pride to yourself?

and to hell what anyone else says.

your life, your vision, your accomplishment.

celebrate it and you. :balloons:

leslie

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Specializes in Wound Care, LTC, Sub-Acute, Vents.

and remember this; there are many who wish to become you. while there are many that may insult you, there will be others that would give their last tooth and nail to become an lpn, cna, or housekeeper at a steady position. i have seen many who told me they wished to get anywhere in health care. be totally proud of yourself!

thank you pagandeva. you are right. when i started this program, there were 30 of us and 400 people applied for the lpn program. now, almost half of my original class are gone. i guess i should be thankful for making it this far. thank you..., angel :lol2:

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