Why don't people take LPNs seriously?

[Hellostudentnurssee]

I understand that as "nurses", we're the bottom of the food chain. I don't want to sound like a cry baby or put myself or other LPNs on a pedestal but I'm tired of people with the "you're just an LPN attitude". I do know many RNs that have been supportive and understanding. I know when you're a nurse, you have tough skin (and I usually do) but there are some days (like today) when it just gets to you.

I've been going to school for a long time - it's almost been 10 years from when I graduated high school. I've just been trying to get into any nursing school. I got my AA degree, became a CNA, worked, had to take pre-reqs over, and then the 2 years of LPN school. Now that it's all over, I realize how HARD it was...everything - emotionally, mentally, physically...especially if you had those really difficult instructors who made you feel incompetent. Anyhoo, the "problem" is mainly family members. I don't expect people to jump at my feet and floor me with compliments or attention but it's nice to be acknowledged. But if they don't, no big deal. I'm happy with myself with this accomplishment. I do get alot of "oh it's just LPN, no big deal" or "it's not an RN or BSN, so it's technically not a nurse yet." I do get what they're saying bc I have high expectations for myself and I know I'm not done in my career path but it really IRRITATES me and I think it's bc someone degrading the hard work I went through. Any kind of nursing school is HARD WORK. No offense but it's not like in CNA school...nothing compared to do that. It's almost like, "how dare you say that?" I think it's also a cultural thing to bc in my culture, it's like a stereotype to be a nurse. Anyhoo, sorry to be a debbie downer and vent but it really irritates me and I need to use my assertive, nursing communication "I-statement" skills now, should I? :)

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

No, it's not a cop out, because correlation and causation are two different things. Facilities that tend to have higher percentages of RNs ALSO tend to have more resources, more money and better staffing ratios. I'm sticking with LTC facilities, cause that's what I know.

A facility that can afford to have a "charge nurse" who's not passing pills and doing treatments will OF COURSE have better outcomes. Of course a facility with nurses dedicated to nothing but being "in

charge" will have more RNs versus other staff. They also probably have more LPNs versus other staff, too. Higher RN ratios equal fewer med errors? Ha! More RNs versus what, med techs? More RNs per resident? Again, this proves nothing. Now, show me a study that EXPLICITLY shows that a RN has fewer med errors or can treat a bedsore better with the EXACT SAME RESOURCES or STAFFING RATIO as a LPN, then you might have a point.....

[sidroc]

Use Google Scholar.

Second, they directly address the problem of RN staff vs LPN and other staff.

No they don't.

Thirdly, if I gave you a study that said not being turned Q2 is associated with skin problems, you wouldn't be telling me that correlation is not causation. Thats a copout.

That's a straw man argument.

When you make a statement of fact here, it's really expected that you've done your homework and can readily point us in the direction of actual links to real information from unbiased sources. You've done none of that. If you aren't willing to have some integrity behind your pronouncements, just don't make them.

How do they not address it? Do tell.

The burden of proof is on you to disprove the findings of the study. I have quoted straight back to scholarly journals and the articles can easily be found with the information given.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

So you really think that you, as a student, know more than ALL of us other, experienced nurses who disagree with you? You don't see anything wrong with that?

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Thread closed for staff review. It may or may not be reopened later. A wide variety of opinions and experiences have been shared throughout these pages.