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

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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?

I think in some cases it is an attitude promoted by administration (hospital primarily). We are about to undergo a change in "definition" and probably uniform as well in the near future.

I'm not so sure what this is going to accomplish except to take nurses who have practiced the 3-C's for many years (caring, compassion, competence) and make them feel like second class citizens. It will also put an undue burden on the staff RNs who we work with every day; after all, someone is going to have to pick up the slack when the LPNS are suddenly deemed unable to do what they have done for years. I suppose a conspiracy theorist might say that it is the first step toward an all RN staff - the RNs will be feeling overworked (and rightly so) due to the extra duties they will have to assume...therefore hiring all RNs in place of LPNs takes on the perfect argument.

I might be "demoted" or even laid off if I don't get through school in time for the axes start to fall. I love what I do - I look forward to each day - but I'm not so sure I want to fight so hard any more just to do what I love to do. I don't want to see the look on the RNs faces when I tell them that a patient needs something that I used to be able to competently provide, but cannot any more.

The RNs on the floor all say how badly they feel about the coming changes. They say they feel terrible about it. But they say it to us, not to administration, although I doubt admin will listen much anyway. I wish we could just all quit looking only at degrees and look at the person doing the job.

never gonna happen - they tried to "phase out" LPNs about 15 yrs ago or whenever i went to school lol - LPNs are to valuable to ever see them go the wayside. just my opinion. some particular hospitals or wherever may phase them out of their facilities but they will never be gone. just dont see it.

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The more education you have... the further you are from the patient :uhoh21:

sadly very true

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Specializes in ER/Trauma.
LPNs, RNs, BSNs, MSNs, DNSs, NPs, CNSs, CRNAs.........all of these have one thing in common, and that is the title of "Nurse"! No one is "better" than another........we're just different, and we perform different functions. Instead of focusing on the divisions between us, why not celebrate what UNITES us, and cherish our commonalities?:nurse:
"We may not have it all together, but together we have it all".
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Off topic, but one exception...in some states you can be a clinical instructor w/ a BSN...That is the only reason I am glad to have my BSN...Otherwise the same to me...(I belive ADNs should be allowed to be clinical instructors)

no thanks! i love teaching my paatients and families - but i FREEZE UP when in front of my peers lol - i dont know why - i can singly teach as in precepting someone starting thier job but not a class - just a me thing lol - i am sure many adns woudl love it and make great teachers

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Unfortunately the same attitutes and divisions are prevalent within Canada's nursing organizations when it comes to LPNs/RPNs.

Why do so many people insist that LPNs aren't nurses? Because the ANA said so.

are you serious this is in writing - wow - sad - is that why the technical schools went and called themselves "technical colleges" - man - THAT should be changed for sure.

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Would the LPN'S out there consider a 'Dental Nurse' a real nurse? What defines a real nurse. It's often hierarchial; an RN of 3-4years training to obtain a degree doesn't want to be compaired with someone who attended school for

Not many patients even know the difference between an LPN and RN. To them, a nurse is a nurse.

well i guess that maybe cause my 2 yr ( which i did in 4 due to raising 4 kids as a single mom at the time lol) degree isn't a 3 - 4 yr degree i dont mind being compared to others - heck - they worked just as hard as we did in school ( and by the way - we had several women come from the "4 yr degree" to our "2 yr degree" and comment on how they should go back to the 4 yr as they had to work to hard in the 2 yr- i am told in the 2 yr - there is actually 4 yrs of work shoved into 2 - minus the arts and managerial classes , etc they stick in the 4 yr. - just what i been told but makes sense to me )

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Would the LPN'S out there consider a 'Dental Nurse' a real nurse? What defines a real nurse. It's often hierarchial; an RN of 3-4years training to obtain a degree doesn't want to be compaired with someone who attended school for

Not many patients even know the difference between an LPN and RN. To them, a nurse is a nurse.

never heard a dental assisstant called a dental nurse - interesting question....

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
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

Hey, don't disrespect us of who are getting online degrees! My degree will come from an NLN approved cirriculum. It fits in with my lifestyle and job to get my degree online.

I promise not to be hoity toity and above reproach.:jester:

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

I stand corrected. I thought about it when I was out shopping today. I apologize for jumping the gun.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
Why do so many people insist that LPNs aren't nurses? Because the ANA said so.

are you serious this is in writing - wow - sad - is that why the technical schools went and called themselves "technical colleges" - man - THAT should be changed for sure.

Just curious, where does the ANA say that LPNs are not nurses?

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

I'd like to see LPNs protect our title as NURSE because we ARE. The way this has gone is that any tech or aide can do what we do, and it is not fair to me.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.
Just curious, where does the ANA say that LPNs are not nurses?

That person was quoting a post made earlier in this thread. It was post #70 waaaaay back.

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