Hi KB2_LPN,

I worked as a CNA for 6 months while I was getting my LPN.  I felt like I was less than a human while working as a CNA.  That is how most of the LPNs treated me, and the CNAs were jealous, because I was going to be an LPN.  While working as an LPN I was looked down upon by the RNs and the families and clients/patients (at first), but then I proved that I was more than just a title.  Most of the people after a period of time realized that just because I was an LPN that didn't mean that I was stupid and just a glorified Med-Tech.  Before I got my RN I was the supervisor and people just assumed that I was an RN.  I ALWAYS corrected them, because it is wrong to pose as something that you are not, and I was proud of that LPN; I had worked dag-on hard for that title.  I con't my education and now have a MSN.  Some people still try to treat me as though I am not anything; that is human nature.  Yes, it is wrong, but that is how some people are.  They feel insecure about themselves, so they put others down and belittle them to try to make themselves feel better.    I too do not understand the concept, but this is part of the reason they do these things.  As far as LPN being called Low Paying Nurses; I heard that too, but that I feel is just said in a joking manor.  RNs are calle Real Nuts.  I have tried not to take their jealousy or insecurities to heart, and I always said to myself that I am the bigger person and those that are doing this are small minded individuals that can't help themselves.  It would get to me too, but I worked hard as an LPN to prove to everyone (me included) that not all LPNs are what they think they are, and I was the exception.  There are bad CNAs, LPNs, RNs, NPs, PAs, and MDs that can make all of the good ones look bad, but we must remember that we are the exception to the rule and not the standard, hold our heads high, and do the best job that we can do, so that we can set the example of what others should want to achieve to be.  Please try not to let those nasty people get to you, and you con't do your passion to the best of your ability (nursing).

Emily

" Granted that I've worked as an LPN for almost 27 years.I enjoy what I do.Yes,I have been," verbally chastized",by others

   for,"not completing my degree",though I believe that LPNs play a very integral part to medicine today and should be utlized

   within the workforce,equally. Having the advantages of diverse experience,thus doing alot of medical research,( on my own),

   it would be nice to be given," the select opportunity",to prove your talents.**Better to use it,not lose it".

To be honest, a title, degree, or position should not be an indication of how one is treated. How I feel about it, is everyone is equally important in the role they are in at the time. To me, the CEO of the hospital is no more important than the housekeeper. Each just has a different role, and without the collaborative roles of all staff, things would not move smoothly. So whether you are a CNA, LPN, RN, NP, Physician, Administration, Housekeeper, Secretary, etc. it should not matter. Being kind and working as a team, whatever role you play, should be the ultimate goal. The goal is to give good care to the patient.

Oftentimes, when people are not secure in who they are, it is easy to take offense, or even try to make someone else look lower than themselves to feel better about who they are. That can happen on any level of position.