Why LPN??

Grace Oz · Aug 4, 2003

This old argument has been doing the rounds for years and years and years!!!...

We ALL make CHOICES in life. There are many many, and varied, reasons a person studies for one or another level of nursing.

But, if we just walk together long enough, and talk together long enough, eventually we'll ALL come to understand AND, hopefully!, RESPECT one another! ....

As for who's "better", more qualified, cleverer, works harder, longer, who holds more prestige, etc etc...

In some cultures, nurses are seen as nothing more than servants, or thought of as lowly "bottom of the pack", "blue collar" workers.

At the end of the day..... we're ALL servants!!

No matter which route we took to become a nurse, a nurse is a nurse is a nurse.

Cheers,

Grace

cna on her way · Aug 4, 2003

I agree that this is a very drawn out subject however it does need to be addressed. I understand that some RNs believe that an extra year of education makes you a better nurse. But thats not the case. The way you conduct yourself and the way you treat your patients is what makes you a "better" nurse. Any of the jobs in nursing from CNA to an RN with a masters, requires the same thing to be successful alot of compassion. If the truth be told, and education is what makes the nurse, then all of the ADN degree nurses, the BSN, and the masters are still not as good as a CRNA or nurse practitioner. Please, you can hold any degree and not care about your patient and to me you are worthless. Just be happy with the path you have chosen and only worry about what matters, the people you are there to take care of . If someone else doesn't like the title on your namebadge who cares.

Tink RN · Aug 5, 2003

Wow. Was this a heated debate or what? Some of the posts were condescending and quite frankly embarrassing. Anyhoo ... might as well give my input ... even if it is nearly 3 years later. lol

I decided to go into nursing when I graduated from highschool. I couldn't afford to go to a 4 year program and my parents made too much for me to qualify for financial aid. (There's a good debate - what did their salary have to do with me considering I was on my own?) Anyway the technical college in my area offered LPN and ADN programs. The adviser I was assigned to informed me that there was a waiting list for the ADN program but I could enroll in the LPN program as soon as I completed my pre reqs. Also the college offered a "mobility program" where LPNs could "fast track" into the ADN program and graduate in a little over a year. The logical thing to do was enroll in the LPN program and besides, I had no concept what the difference was except RNs made a little more money. Plus I felt like I discovered a loop hole to beat the waiting list, so what the heck?

I graduated from the LPN program and took the mobility test as soon as I found out I had passed the state board exam. I passed the mobility test and was accepted into the ADN program that was already in progress. (You literally skip the first year) I had applied for a job at a hospital and was offered a second shift job but still thought I could juggle the two. I was broke as a joke, tired of eating SPAM and my car was about to fall apart. My salary as a waitress just wasn't cutting it so I really needed the job. Not even half way through a semester of the ADN program I realized I was stupid to think I could work 2nd shift full time and continue in the ADN program. (I know many people have done it, but honestly I just wasn't that smart - I was a student that recquired a lot of study time to "get it") So I withdrew from the program telling myself I would go back in a year or so once I got back on my feet and could afford not to work full time.

I worked as an LPN for 10 years before I took the final plunge. Not all due to finances, I was earning a comfortable salary, but because the very thought of going back to school caused me to wake up screaming from nightmares - I literally hated school. My driving force was my desire to work in the ER. I had worked as an LPN in Med Surg and Telementry units but I really wanted to work in the ER. At the time, they were phasing LPNs out of the ER so I couldn't transfer. (They have since changed back to having LPNs) I took a weekend position, went back to school - several years later here I am.

Looking back, I am glad things worked out the way they did. As an LPN, I got all the jokes ("Low Paid Nurse") and insults ("Are you a real nurse or a LPN?") not to mention SOME (not all) of the other staff from housekeeping to RNs looking down their noses at me. I used to think it must be pretty cool to be an RN ... that becoming an RN would some how make me a different person. Well ... it didn't. I'm still goofy ole me. I still put my pants on one leg at a time and my title didn't give me some magical awesome touch that makes me any better than any other Nurse. Granted my role / duties have changed somewhat as well as my salary, but I do not consider myself to be "superior" by any means. I work with LPNs and RNs and I do not treat them any differently. We each have our role and we all do our job.

I couldn't help but chuckle at some of the previous posts on this site. This must be a sore subject that some have major inferior/superior issues with! The bottom line is that we are both Nurses. We work as a team (there is no "I" in team!) and we are there for the patients. (Most of us anyway) I have to agree with the lady that stated "experience" is the best teacher ... regardless of your title. I work with several LPNs that are comfortable in their role and have no desire to go back to school and there is nothing wrong with that. As for the RNs being paperwork queens and "sitting behind the desk" (previous post) that my friend is a myth as well. (at least where I work) I do find it somewhat humorous that we are still able to debate the issue considering years ago LPNs (according to a previous post) were to be extinct by now. Hmm ... (*looks around*) I see they are still here! LOL :kiss

Brownms46 · Aug 5, 2003

Tink RN I really enjoyed reading your post, and I'm glad you took the time to write it. Thanks.. :cool:

mystc42 · Aug 7, 2003

I have been a CNA for 4 yrs now and have been trying to get my RN pre reqs done and bc of stress and financial reasons i just cant take off work for that long so LPN works alot better and honestly i am happier about doing it first bc it will give me the knowledge and better understanding when i am going for my RN, I dont understand how anyone could think that LPN's aren't worth as much as RN's CNA's, Doctors, etc...they are just as much of the team as any of the rest of them