Why don't people take LPNs seriously?

Nurses LPN/LVN

Published

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? :)

Specializes in Cardiac.

I'm an RN-BSN, I think LPN's are wonderful and I have never put one down, nor do I intend to. However, to say, "the only thing an RN has over me is, they make more money." Ummm, there is a lot more to that statement, we can assess, teach, evaluate, etc. LPN's can not do that. You can give PO meds, you can not do IV pushes, at least not where I work. I know some states you can do more, but not in NY or PA. Be careful how you state things. We don't even use LPN's on my floor because there is so much they can not do, they have to work under the direct care of an RN, at least where I work they do. I just needed to clarify that statement, that made me a bit angry. This is by no means putting down LPN's, as I know they work very hard and take great pride in their work.

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Specializes in Mental Health, Hospice Care.
I'm an RN-BSN, I think LPN's are wonderful and I have never put one down, nor do I intend to. However, to say, "the only thing an RN has over me is, they make more money." Ummm, there is a lot more to that statement, we can assess, teach, evaluate, etc. LPN's can not do that. You can give PO meds, you can not do IV pushes, at least not where I work. I know some states you can do more, but not in NY or PA. Be careful how you state things. We don't even use LPN's on my floor because there is so much they can not do, they have to work under the direct care of an RN, at least where I work they do. I just needed to clarify that statement, that made me a bit angry. This is by no means putting down LPN's, as I know they work very hard and take great pride in their work.

wow....full of yourself much?....we do all of those things, everyone of them with the exception of IV Push...I start and maintain IV's, and admin everything with the exception of blood and Narc's....get over yourself...we don't teach?....we don't assess?....seriously, that is so misguided I can't stand it....

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Specializes in Mental Health, Hospice Care.
I'm an RN-BSN, I think LPN's are wonderful and I have never put one down, nor do I intend to.

Congrats, you just did....:uhoh3:

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Specializes in Cardiac.

As I stated, this is where I work. I'm not full of myself at all, I appreciate all nurses as well as CNA's. I have the utmost respect for anyone who works in the medical field. If you feel I'm full of myself you misread what I had written. I did not mean to cause any disruption I apologize if you misinterpreted what I had written. I did not mean to start an argument, that was not my intention. However, RN's do a lot more than make more money than an LPN, that statement made me angry, that is so far from the truth and misguided as well.

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Specializes in OB/GYN/Neonatal/Office/Geriatric.

There are differences from state to state on what a nurse can do be they LPN or RN. Does that mean that an LPN can't do some of the things an RN does if it were allowed? Not necessarily. There are many LPNs with years of experience that can run a circle around a new RN. It also depends on the individual and whether they have learned and continue to learn, common sense and what their basic foundation is. Everyone has something to contribute to the team.

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I became a LPN to see if Nursing was my calling and it is.

I'm now enrolled in a ADN program then i'll do my BSN.

I do get questioned of what are the diffrences by PT's and I gladly explained.

I get more questions by my family not understading then other nurses and Pt's

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Specializes in Public Health Nurse.

To the O/P and other LPNs my hats are off to you; and this includes the CNAs. During my clinical rotations I got to see how hard the CNAs work and in one particular rotation I met an LPN that I first I thought was an RN; that is how knowledgable and awesome she was. Especially with all the years of experience, a new RN graduate like me, can learn so much from you.

Venting is good, just never forget that some of us think you are awesome and are all for teamwork. At the end of the day, that is what makes our job easier, working together with the common goal of serving our patients to get better.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

I will preface my comments with the fact that I did nursing one step at a time: NA (prior to the requirement of certification), LPN, ADN, BSN, MSN, plus some post- MSN education.

This thread is quickly deteriorating. Lets get back on track. There is nothing wrong with pointing out the differences in the scope of practice. It is a fact that an RN has more responsibility and broader scope of practice than an LPN. Just fact, nothing else. Not personal. As an APN, my scope of practice is broader than that of an RN - again not a personal thing, just fact.

That said, in places where LPNs are working, it is a team effort between LPNs and RNs usually. So, no reason to get personal about this.

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Specializes in Cardiac.
To the O/P and other LPNs my hats are off to you; and this includes the CNAs. During my clinical rotations I got to see how hard the CNAs work and in one particular rotation I met an LPN that I first I thought was an RN; that is how knowledgable and awesome she was. Especially with all the years of experience, a new RN graduate like me, can learn so much from you.

Venting is good, just never forget that some of us think you are awesome and are all for teamwork. At the end of the day, that is what makes our job easier, working together with the common goal of serving our patients to get better.

I concur!

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I am a CNA and I thought I would pop in to say that I am sick of LPN's always finding a way to pipe up to pat themselves on the back. I have met some descent LPN's sure, but as they are my boss (until nursing school is over) I can most definitely say one of the big reliefs when I worked LTC was to see RN written on the schedule. I would say part of the problem stems from vocational schools pumping terrible lpns out all over the place contributing to the stereotype. If you ever want nursing to be a respected profession and not hear "why didn't you go to med school?" comments, the only right thing to do is phase out lpns eventually phase out RN's and make bsn's the new minimum standard.

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Specializes in LTC and School Health.

I hear you. I was fed up with comments myself. I was a LPN for 2.5 years and dang proud of it! I learned way more as a LPN then I did in RN school. LPNs are REAL nurses too and people need to understand that.

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factorviia, I honestly am enrolling in an PN program because 1) I want to make sure I actually enjoy being a nurse before I commit two years of college to it, and 2) the closest RN program is 45 minutes away, and moving or commuting is impossible in my situation. I love helping people, it gives me a huge sense of fulfillment, and I have a passion for anything healthcare-related.

Unfortunately, my PN program doesn't start until May 2013, but that gives me plenty of time to become acquainted with the profession, in terms of what to expect.

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