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

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

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?

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

TZRNER - I know our level one ER phased out LPN's about 9 years ago - sorry to see them go!

After I recieved my LPN (I went from CNA to LPN same job) I was talking with my unit manager about my schedule as I was still in school. I can't remember exactly what the issue was, but she said to me don't worry someday you'll be a real nurse. I was shocked and so upset because I was a real nurse. Talking with her a few days later I realized that she was kidding and was using the RN initials as Real Nurse, didn't really make me feel better, but took some of the sting away. I don't know if this is something that happened to you or if it's the attitude that you've encountered. It's never right even if it's joking and I love working with LPN's who are real nurses.

Specializes in Registry, all over the place.
While I have worked with many fine LPNs, and as I have stated in many other threads, I think that the time of LPNs/LVNs has come and gone. That is why so many hospitals across the country are phasing them out.

Do you realize that you have less education than Physical Therapy Assistants? Whose claim to fame is walking patients around the unit, or exercising their legs and arms? What is wrong with this picture? Their educational entry into practice is a associates degree, while LPNs and LVNs have only a 9 month program. That is probably where their credibility with the public gets questioned. and probably why many RNs, including me, don't want to be responsible for their patient load, as well as my own. JMHO.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

My program is 13 months, a month longer than the LVN-RN step up. Though I do plan to go on to earn my BSN, as an LVN I will have been prepared to perfom within the scope of my practice in the state of California. The fact that some vn/pn's do not get an Associates is simply because general education courses are not required in a certificate program, therefore eliminating a year of the program. To compare a PTA with a vn/pn is not fair because they are two completely different animals, besides we both get one year of core courses, so in actuality we are equally trained for our professions.

In accordance with your point, I guess I should request a real Pediatrician instead of the NP at my daughter's next well baby appointment. They don't have enough education.

Specializes in Mental Health and MR/DD.
an LPN is still a nurse, still has skills, and an LPN with 20+ years experience is going to be able to teach you a heck of a lot. It's not about the title, it's about how you care for people, whether you're a CNA, LPN, RN or higher.

:yeahthat:

After I graduated from nursing school, I would routinely go to the LPNs I worked with for help and advice and still do. I can't say anything but nice things about LPNs. And as for those people who say they are not real nurses, I say hogwash!!!

Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

I wondered when you would come and put in your opinion.

While I have worked with many fine LPNs, and as I have stated in many other threads, I think that the time of LPNs/LVNs has come and gone. That is why so many hospitals across the country are phasing them out.

Do you realize that you have less education than Physical Therapy Assistants? Whose claim to fame is walking patients around the unit, or exercising their legs and arms? What is wrong with this picture? Their educational entry into practice is a associates degree, while LPNs and LVNs have only a 9 month program. That is probably where their credibility with the public gets questioned. and probably why many RNs, including me, don't want to be responsible for their patient load, as well as my own. JMHO.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

Specializes in OB.
While I have worked with many fine LPNs, and as I have stated in many other threads, I think that the time of LPNs/LVNs has come and gone. That is why so many hospitals across the country are phasing them out.

Do you realize that you have less education than Physical Therapy Assistants? Whose claim to fame is walking patients around the unit, or exercising their legs and arms? What is wrong with this picture? Their educational entry into practice is a associates degree, while LPNs and LVNs have only a 9 month program. That is probably where their credibility with the public gets questioned. and probably why many RNs, including me, don't want to be responsible for their patient load, as well as my own. JMHO.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

hmm.. the LPN program in my area is 11 months, not 9, and I have had primary nurses as a student who are LPNS and they do all the jobs the RN does, right down to IV push and blood. They were all great nurses, and to me there was no difference in the RNs or the LPNs. The difference I see right here with your post is ATTITUDE- which from reading this and a few of your other posts- you obviously think you are far superior to anyone who has a day less schooling than you do. I feel extremely fortunate to have never had a primary/educator/instructor such as you, and feel sorry for the LPNs, CNAs and PTAs who have to work with you.

I do believe we are called a health care TEAM- or are they teaching me incorrectly in my program?

Specializes in Geriatrics, LTC.

I think it is because people hear only about RN's and with the ignorance of publicity they don't even mention LPN's. So people go with what they hear. When people find out I'm a LPN and know what I do for a living I get commended for it. I think it really is just ignorance that make people feel Rn's are the only real nurses.

Someone touched upon this but you dont have how many times I have heard patients say, "I want a real nurse." They honestly think RN means "real nurse" so if you arent a RN in their eyes you arent a nurse. I love LPNs! I think there should be 1 RN, 1 LPN and 1 CNA to every 5 patients (on a telemetry or med surg floor). The problem with LPNs is that boards of nursing along with accrediting organizations have severly limited what they can do in many cases. In my state they cannot push medications, in the unit they could not have a patient 2 shifts in a row, are very limited in doing a "nursing assessment", could not call the doctor, etc. Combine that with the fact that hospital or other agencies can pay techs 6-7 dollars an hour and train them to do things such as catheterization, accu checks and even medication administration in my state then what is the point in hiring them? As a matter of fact there is no local hospital in my area hiring LPNs at this time.

I do worry about LPNs, they don't have a voice. RNs are threatened by them, "techs" are allowed to do almost the same things with training, and medical assistants are in direct competition with them. The training LPNs go through is very intensive and I will go so far as to say this, it is probably harder and more time intensive than my AD program.

It is so sad, people focus on education alone when there is so much more to the big picture. I salute the LPNs! We RNs often complain about lack of respect, pay, etc when there is a group that gets less of these than we do.

From the many post i've read it seems that the LPN's are thought of just like nursing assistants.Since they are not RN's people don't see them as real nurses.

Under my license, I AM responsible for MY patient load. My education was four semesters not nine months.

I've had RN's who trained back in hospital programmes tell me that PN's are the bedside nurses and have more skills today than RN grads of 20 years ago.

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 like what you said...........and reap the benifits of the higher pay since they do as much as the RNs. Real nurses are anyone that provides paitent care,

I COULD NOT HAVE SAID IT BETTER MYSELF

Specializes in Cardiac.
While I have worked with many fine LPNs, and as I have stated in many other threads, I think that the time of LPNs/LVNs has come and gone. That is why so many hospitals across the country are phasing them out.

Do you realize that you have less education than Physical Therapy Assistants? Whose claim to fame is walking patients around the unit, or exercising their legs and arms? What is wrong with this picture? Their educational entry into practice is a associates degree, while LPNs and LVNs have only a 9 month program. That is probably where their credibility with the public gets questioned. and probably why many RNs, including me, don't want to be responsible for their patient load, as well as my own. JMHO.

Lindarn, RN, BSN, CCRN

Spokane, Washington

:deadhorse Same horse, different day...

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