Why do so many people insist that LPN'S AREN'T REAL NURSES!!??

Tweety, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2006

September might as well be labeled the 'National LPN-Bashing Month' because quite a few people are coming out of the woodwork to spew their inconsequential insults. Some of these people seriously need psychiatric help because they apparently suffer from low self-esteems.

I don't know. It seems that about 99.999% of the posts on the thread are positive towards LPNs. Don't loose site of that in your anger at the few, and I don't think it's "quite" a few giving the 1000's of people here. :)

Not to belittle your thoughts, but it helps me to keep it in perspective.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Sep 23, 2006

The only people who think LVNs aren't "real nurses" are the non-medical people.

Not necessarily true. Let me share two experiences; I am an LPN and I had a conversation with some RNs and they were talking about an old employee that used to do many strange things, and I asked "Is she a nurse?" and the response was " No, she was an LPN". Second one; I was in orientation with a mixture of nurses; LPN and RNs and the subject discussed was issues that only RNs deal with, and one of them said to me "I am sure that you are glad that you don't have to deal with this headache" and I responded that this was one of the reasons why I didn't want to become an RN (I really don't want to become one) and then, the friend sitting next to her said " You don't want to be a nurse??" I turned to her and said " I AM a nurse...what are YOU trying to say??"

pagandeva2000, LPN · Sep 23, 2006

I dont know if anyone already argued this but...
an LPN is a Licensed Practical Nurse.
an RN is a Real Nurse.

Nah, JK.... I agree with most of you, that an LPN IS a nurse.

Excuse me??? Who believes that? DO you??

pagandeva2000, LPN · Sep 23, 2006

>>

You are absolutely correct. Compared to some of the titles you just mentioned, we may be considered as idiots.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Sep 23, 2006

The only people who think LVNs aren't "real nurses" are the non-medical people.

Heh, there's one poster on this thread that's supposedly a nurse who thinks that way.

hcmanp, NP · Sep 23, 2006

Hah, try working in a private office where the doctor keeps referring to the gals who attended Medical Assistant school as "nurse"!!! THAT'll get your goat...it always does mine! And they freely admit it will take them another year of school to become an LPN. And if you say anything about protecting the title of "nurse" (only because it IS in the state laws), you get accused of giving people an inferiority complex ,and appearing to be a know-it -all trouble maker.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Sep 23, 2006

And if you say anything about protecting the title of "nurse" (only because it IS in the state laws), you get accused of giving people an inferiority complex ,and appearing to be a know-it -all trouble maker.

And i turn around and say 'no, i'm lessening the confusion, and keeping with Virginia laws that protect the title of 'nurse'. A few of our CSTs have called themselves nurses, and the supervisor herself puts a stop to it instantly.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2006

Excuse me??? Who believes that? DO you??

Read the last line which says "Nah, JK.... I agree with most of you, that an LPN IS a nurse." JK stands for "just kidding". Tounge in cheeck comment. The post is really LPN supportive. :monkeydance:

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Sep 23, 2006

:rolleyes: Ok all I need is three chances to guess and get this one right but I bet I will only use one!!!!!!

Heh, there's one poster on this thread that's supposedly a nurse who thinks that way.

twotrees2 · Sep 23, 2006

I mean, the title does have "Nurse" in it.So why are so many people insisting that LPN's arent real nurses? When I go to the hospital, I see these people giving medication , care, comfort and other services to their patients, isn't that what nursing is all about? What do you think about this issue? Do you think LPN's aren't real nurses?

if they hadnt been "phasing them out" and " not having any more classes for them" at the time ( which never ended up happening ) i went to school id have been an LPN instead. i know many an LPN who are more knowledgeble and caring than some RNs i know.

matter of fact my preceptor was an LPN for over 45 yrs and the best dang nurse i know. retired she is now and i miss her dearly.

twotrees2 · Sep 23, 2006

I face a similar attitude about "just being an ADN"....I am always being asked why I don't go after my BSN. Because I don't want it! It would get me absolutely nothing that I don't already have. I will never go into admin or public health, so I don't need it. I have seen both LVNs and ADNs with WAY more experience and brains than some BSNs. I don't look at the letters behind someone's name (except to make sure I'm not asking an LVN do something beyond their scope) but rather at their skills.

i hear you on that issue - i feel the same way - i dont want a BSN either. i know some pretty hoity toity BSNs who got thier BSN off the internet that think they are above reproach - its sickening

twotrees2 · Sep 23, 2006

I am a R.N. and I work in a hospital where LPNs are hired to help take the load off the RNs. The LPNs pretty much do their own patient care with the exception of pushing narcotics, and assessments. I have a lot of respect for these nurses for they know their skills but I also encourage them to continue on with their education to become an RN and reap the benifits of the higher pay since they do as much as the RNs. Real nurses are anyone that provides paitent care, that is my opinion.

i know one particular BSN who was an LPN - she routinely did assessments as LPNs are allowed - and after she graduated she said LPNs are not allowed and can not do assessments and that "all an lpn is is an overglorified nursing assistant" -and when i told her she is cracked cause i know many an LPN whos assessment skills are WAYYY beyond what hers are she gave me quite the dirty look lol she is now my DON ( yipee )

oh yeah - and she just fired one LPN who did NOT do an assessemnst on someone and they found a fractured pelvis 2 days later after a fall- go figure- thought LPNs couldnt DO assessments - gads - and to think she was an LPN just a few months ago and now bashes them . arrgghh.