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

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Sep 15, 2006

I don't agree with that, and actually to say the more education, the further from the pt. is no better than the remark made about the days of the LPN having come and gone (still rolling my eyes over that broken record from the broken record player).

People are only "further from the pt." if they choose to be. And even if they aren't right next to the pt., who's to say they aren't making a difference for the pt.

kristen3g3tp8 · Sep 15, 2006

I don't agree with that, and actually to say the more education, the further from the pt. is no better than the remark made about the days of the LPN having come and gone (still rolling my eyes over that broken record from the broken record player).
People are only "further from the pt." if they choose to be. And even if they aren't right next to the pt., who's to say they aren't making a difference for the pt.

I agree that you're still making a difference in patient care... but, it seems as if many of the "little-perks" have gone by the way-side. You know, the back rubs, long conversations, and overall time with each individual patient. With the ratio of patients to RN's, it seems as if a lot of the care that used to bond the nurse to the patient is being delegated to Nurses assistants. I am only in my clinicals, but I've asked nurses if they really have time to get to know their patients... and many of them don't. Also, patients seem to be more familiar with their with the assistant who does the bed bath, or the assistant that comes by to take vitals. Maybe I am wrong, but it seems like more education leads to more responsibility... and less time to be able to form a relationship with the patient. :uhoh21:

Mama Val, ASN, RN · Sep 15, 2006

Yes I know I am a nurse...

I went to nursing school.

My ID says nurse.

People ask my Mom what I do, she tells them her daughter is a nurse.

But the American Nurses Association says I can't join because I am only a LPN...not a nurse.

The Alaska Nurses association says I can't join because I am only an LPN...not a nurse.

My union that backed a NO NURSES ON FORCED OVERTIME BILL SAID I WASN'T A NURSE...I'm only an LPN.

Sorry but some days the profesionals that you work for and the patients that you work with just don't or won't understand.

ckben · Sep 15, 2006

I think that kind of attitude is really sad. I have a bachelor's degree in nursing, and from my point of view, the ONLY thing that determines whether you are a good nurse or not is the kind of person you are. Not your education or your license, just your personality.

I say this because several of the people I graduated with, who are now working RNs, I wouldn't trust with my own or my family's lives were we their patients. At the same time, there are several LVNs (that's what we call them here) who have the experience, knowledge, and determination that makes them some of the better nurses I've seen.

I'm not sure what other places are like, but here LVNs get paid about half of an RN's pay for doing the same extremely tough, stressful job, except for admission assessments and care plans. Just doesn't seem right.

nuangel1, BSN, RN · Sep 15, 2006

i agree LPN's are real nurses.i have worked with several over the years who were fabulous very knowledgeable.when i worked dialysis i was initially oriented by a tech but you know what they are mostly great too really know their stuff.however people are correct that the scope of their practice varies state to state in ma and ri lpn's can not pust meds care for central lines hang blood etc.but i work in an er that has 2 parttime lpns in their fast track dept and for most part it works .but as the rn i have to push all meds etc.we need to support eachother it is a healthcare team we all are at work to care for pt's .

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Sep 16, 2006

In the small rural community hospital in which I work part-time (job #2), LPN's do just about the same patient care as the RN's with a few exceptions (pushes and blood drawns from central lines). The LPN's are my colleagues. Their patient care and assessment skills are excellent and I would entrust the care of my family members to them any day of the week. I would also like to add that I have learned much from them (and so have my students on rotation).

pickledpepperRN · Sep 16, 2006

I think that kind of attitude is really sad. I have a bachelor's degree in nursing, and from my point of view, the ONLY thing that determines whether you are a good nurse or not is the kind of person you are. Not your education or your license, just your personality.
I say this because several of the people I graduated with, who are now working RNs, I wouldn't trust with my own or my family's lives were we their patients. At the same time, there are several LVNs (that's what we call them here) who have the experience, knowledge, and determination that makes them some of the better nurses I've seen.
I'm not sure what other places are like, but here LVNs get paid about half of an RN's pay for doing the same extremely tough, stressful job, except for admission assessments and care plans. Just doesn't seem right.

I think I understand what you mean because many nursing assistants and medical student aids provide excellent patient care.

It is incorrect though to claim it is the personality.

In most states it is a crime to represent yourself or another as a nurse who is not licensed as an LPN, LVN, or RN.

Some of the finest nurses I know are LVNs.

ckben · Sep 16, 2006

I think I understand what you mean because many nursing assistants and medical student aids provide excellent patient care.
It is incorrect though to claim it is the personality.
In most states it is a crime to represent yourself or another as a nurse who is not licensed as an LPN, LVN, or RN.
Some of the finest nurses I know are LVNs.

I think you misunderstood. I didn't mean in the sense of misrepresentation. I meant that, on my floor, LVNs do the EXACT same job as RNs except for the occasional paperwork. That means they can hang blood, do central line care, push any and all meds, etc.

What I meant is that being an RN doesn't make you better at assessments. It doesn't mean you check on your patients more often, or that your sterile technique is better. It doesn't mean you check the five rights more often than others. It doesn't mean that you're more knowledgeable. In my experience, if you are the type of person who takes pride in your work, if you are committed to providing the best care for your patient (instead of making sure you get your coffee/smoke breaks as often as you like), if you have the drive to look up information when you find gaps in your knowledge base instead of saying "huh" and moving on, then you are a better nurse. And I have seen, in my personal experience, that this comes down to what type of person you are, regardless of what particular license you happen to hold. RNs start out with an advantage, sure. You have an extra year's worth of knowledge under your belt. But, over time, that extra schooling doesn't account for as much as how much the nurse has done since graduation to grow within the profession.

I suppose in places where LPNs and LVNs can't do some of these things that they can where I live that gap probably seems much wider. But from where I'm standing, there is a WORLD of difference between the nurse aide and the nurse tech, and a WORLD of difference between the nurse tech and the nurse. But the difference between LVNs and RNs? At least in my workplace, very minimal.

LeahJet, ASN, RN · Sep 16, 2006

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

Sigh.

If nothing else, she's predictable.

:yawn:

ZASHAGALKA, RN · Sep 16, 2006

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

It's 1965 “Educational preparation for nurse practitioners and assistants to nurses: a position paper,” stated that vocational education should be for the training of "assistants to nurses".

That position paper advocated the complete elimination of diploma programs and the removal of the title, nurse, from vocational programs.

And, it is widely taught in nursing schools. I myself was told, in 1991, that "The role of LPN/LVN as nurses would be eliminated within ten years."

So, thank the ANA and the Ivory Tower for this jewel of propaganda.

~faith,

Timothy.

Brita01 · Sep 16, 2006

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

:yawn: :rolleyes:

hogan4736, BSN, RN · Sep 16, 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...

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)