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? :)

Y'know I have a problem with posters like you who only post negative rhetoric so if I reply to you what can I expect back? More negative? No thanks. I've gotten your message. You think your superior because your PLAN for your future is much better than other people's reality. No amount of me debating with you will change your opinion on that. Only time and experience will.

I dont think I am superior to anyone, as far as my plan goes, I could die tomrorow and it will be all for naught, or it could work and make me successful. Aiming personal attacks at me does not change anything about the statistics of RN to liscensed staff ratio and quality patient care and I am disappointing that you choose to focus attacks at me instead of focusing your energy into making a rebuttal to the topic I have brought up.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.

There's nothing for me to say on that issue that my colleagues haven't already said. I'm attacking your message not you. You can always change your message.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
There's nothing for me to say on that issue that my colleagues haven't already said. I'm attacking your message not you. You can always change your message.

You say that, and yet have done little to rebuttal my main point of facilities with more RN's than LPN's having higher levels of patient care.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Y'know I have a problem with posters like you who only post negative rhetoric so if I reply to you what can I expect back? More negative? No thanks. I've gotten your message. You think your superior because your PLAN for your future is much better than other people's reality. No amount of me debating with you will change your opinion on that. Only time and experience will.
Totally. Sidroc, once (if) you actually work as a BSN you will be in for one rude reality check. If you imply to your ADN and LPN coworkers that your education makes you a better nurse, they will eat you up and spit you out. Seen it happen. You're only a student and you're already judgmental, stating that LPNs and ADNs lack motivation or drive or passion or whatever. Good luck with your nursing career. Your gonna need it...
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
You say that, and yet have done little to rebuttal my main point of facilities with more RN's than LPN's having higher levels of patient care.

I'll play! Show your sources, sir. I'm assuming you mean "better patient outcomes". If not please explain what you mean by "higher levels of patient care".

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice / Ambulatory Clinic.
You say that, and yet have done little to rebuttal my main point of facilities with more RN's than LPN's having higher levels of patient care.

Why do I need to rebut that? Because you want me to? I'm more interested in rebutting your gross misconceptions. What you want me to rebut has been said over and over and over and over and over again on AN so use the search button.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
You say that, and yet have done little to rebuttal my main point of facilities with more RN's than LPN's having higher levels of patient care.
Oh please. Did you stop and think about this? Which hospitals have a higher percentage of LPNs? Rural hospitals. Rural hospitals also have less equipment, less ability to consult out, weaker EMS service, less resources over all. Major metropolitan hospitals have higher RN percentages, but also the best equipment, access to all kinds of specialists, fast EMS response, ERs with trauma ability, better ratios, etc. Of course they have better outcomes. Stop and think about these things. LTC facilities with more RNs ALSO tend to have better equipment, lower pt ratios and "rich" residents. If you gave a traditional LTC (with mostly LPNs) better staffing and equipment and they'll have better outcomes too.
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Totally. Sidroc, once (if) you actually work as a BSN you will be in for one rude reality check. If you imply to your ADN and LPN coworkers that your education makes you a better nurse, they will eat you up and spit you out. Seen it happen. You're only a student and you're already judgmental, stating that LPNs and ADNs lack motivation or drive or passion or whatever. Good luck with your nursing career. Your gonna need it...

Why would I belittle my coworkers? Ad hominems are not called for here. Again, care to answer to any points I have made?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Oh please. Did you stop and think about this? Which hospitals have a higher percentage of LPNs? Rural hospitals. Rural hospitals also have less equipment, less ability to consult out, weaker EMS service, less resources over all. Major metropolitan hospitals have higher RN percentages, but also the best equipment, access to all kinds of specialists, fast EMS response, ERs with trauma ability, better ratios, etc. Of course they have better outcomes. Stop and think about these things. LTC facilities with more RNs ALSO tend to have better equipment, lower pt ratios and "rich" residents. If you gave a traditional LTC (with mostly LPNs) better staffing and equipment and they'll have better outcomes too.

So the studies are bogus because you think you can disprove their methodology?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Why would I belittle my coworkers? Ad hominems are not called for here. Again, care to answer to any points I have made?
You already have belittled your coworkers. You've judged the LPNs you've worked with based on where they went to school. You've judged them for not having enough motivation to get their RN. Maybe (hopefully) you sing a different tune in person, but your condescending attitude will com through regardless. As for your "points", what do you mean? What points. I went to a vocational school, and am a darn good nurse. So are many of my fellow LPNs.
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds, MH, Corrections, School, Tele.

So the studies are bogus because you think you can disprove their methodology?

To be a skillful nurse you must have the ability to think critically. This includes scientific studies, journals, etc. Every year a new study comes out that discredits last years study. Therefore we as nurses must use our brains and think for ourselves.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Nursing education levels

• Higher proportion of nurses with a BS or higher in education was associated with reduced mortality

in acute care (Aiken, Clarke, Cheung, Sloane, & Silber, 2003).

Proportion of RN staff

• Higher proportion of RNs was associated with reduced mortality in acute care (Jarman et al., 1999;

Mark, Harless, McCue, & Xu, 2004), as well as in unit caring for patients with myocardial infarction

(MI; Person et al., 2004).

Hospital characteristics

• Magnet hospitals had reduced 30-day mortality rates (Aiken, Smith, & Lake, 1994).

Higher proportion of RNs was associated with fewer medication errors in medical/surgical

units and ICUs. As the proportion of RNs increased from 50% to 85%, the rate of medical errors

decreased, but the effect disappeared (Blegen & Vaughn, 1998).

Proportion of RN staff

• Higher RN staffing mix was associated with improved cognitive function (Weech-Maldonado,

Meret-Hanke, Neff, & Mor, 2004).

Proportion of RN staff

• Lower proportion of RN mix was associated with an increased use of tube feeding (Zinn, 1993).

Proportion of RN staff

• Higher RN staffing mix was associated with a lower incidence of pressure ulcers (Weech-Maldonado

et al., 2004).

I can post more later if wanted.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment