I have been in nursing 27 years, longer if you count my time as a CNA. I have no desire to become a RN. I like being a LPN just fine. I would not want to go back to school to be a RN or anything else in nursing at this point in my life. I have to give you "girls" , who are around my age, alot of credit for returning to school. If I did return to school, it would be for something totally outside of nursing. I have heard people say that you're not a real nurse unless you are a RN. Nothing gets my dander up quicker. LPNs used to have some status. Now it's all about being a RN. LPNs are being quietly phased out. We are a dying breed. But with the surge of older baby boomers, we may have some use yet. There are many reasons someone would choose LPN school over RN training. It's up to each individual. LPNs have their place in the medical field too. RN wannabe? No way! This old gal will not go quietly into the dark night without a fight.

vickielee1970: congratulations!!

In Australia we have a similar system, RNs then EEN's (probably much the same as LPN's) and nursing aides, and alot of RN's have the mentality that ENs are not 'real' nurses.. which is crazy!! Although I've applied to do my RN's next year I don't feel under any compulsion to do so and believe EEN's are as much nurses - my only reasons for upgrading are the pay rates, so I don't have to work as many hours to get the same money , and also I can travel overseas on RN's and work in the UK and Ireland.... but its interesting that Patients themselves don't see a difference between the various levels of nursing, to them, a nurse is a nurse and they take you on face value.... I get alot of respect from patients, so much so, that as I focus on this, I really see who I am as a nurse, not from anyone else who thinks otherwise

I am a LPN in the Army. I do the same if not more than Any RN does. I am also a civilian LPN and get put down for only being "A LPN". We do the hard work while RN's sit on the asses and dictate what to do. I guess when you become RN you can no longer be a real nurse. Doesn't look good on manager types to do real work.

shan4691 said:

Not all RN's are like this! I started out as a LPN and the went on to do my RN, but I do not sit on my ass. I work just as hard as any other nurse. Please do not make generalizations. I am sorry that your experience had been with lazy people. The RN's that you have had experience with would probably be lazy no matter what profession they were in. Some people work harder at find less work to do that working!

I really wish more people in the medical field would realize that it takes us all, CNAs, LPNs, RNs and even MDs to get the job done. I am excited and nervous about taking my NCLEX-Pn and getting a nursing job. I want to be a nurse that would be a Good example, not the kind we all complain about. The input and insight I have gained from this site should help me on that path. So Thanks to all of you!

Personally, I have been an LVN/LPN for 13 years. In that time, I have worked multiple specialties, including neurosurgery, CCU, ICU, IMCU and ER. All as primary nurse. I do live in the southwestern US and I understand we are allowed to do more here than in many northern states. (Notice I say allowed, not capable.) Many hospitals are now going to this "all RN" structure and I have heard references to how much safer RN care is to LPN care. I have looked and found that no study has ever shown this to be the case. Higher patient/nurse ratios have been shown extremely unsafe, however.
The difference between American LPN and RN is only that RN's are educated for administrative functions, while LPN's are trained for clinical patient care. Nearly every clinical course required for each is the exact same course. The letters behind our names do not make either more competent.
I have actually started trying to raise public awareness of the difference between LPN and RN. I have also begun writing to political representatives on various related subjects. I encourage all LPN's and all enlightened RN's to do the same. The phasing out of LPN and rise of "all RN" facilities is in direct correlation to the massive increase in medical care cost and the dangers related to understaffed hospitals, which is well documented. Write to your elected representatives. Write to your local papers. Let them know that your local hospitals are refusing to employ LPN's for patient care while not having enough RN's to care for the patients. The nurse shortage is going to continue to get worse. The entire situation is being led by administrators and lawyers who have no understanding of the difference, coupled with schools and organizations trying to gain monetary and political status. The ones losing are each of us in increased healthcare cost and inadequate nursing care in many places. It affects our patients, our families and ourselves. We cannot just sit back and take it any more.
I cannot afford to go back to school to gain RN for some time to come. I've tried several times and something occurs each time I try. Now, I have decided, as others have stated, that if I go back to school, it will be for something other than nursing. My current intent is to save enough money and open a restaurant (I was previously a certified chef). Tired of politics and BS. However, I do still care very much and wish to do what I can to raise awareness and improve safety as much as possible. Even if I have to maintain my efforts after I leave the field of nursing.

Here employers rather hire LPNs becaue they can pay them a few bucks less hourly than a RN they do the same work. There not phasing LPNs where i live they work in schools, daycares, hospitals, nursing homes, and jails? And there are a few nursing homes here that have LPNs as directors of nursing?

first things first- LPNs don't make those kind of wages around here (Va) . I'd love it if we did. ( I love your attitude-more RNs,more LPN jobs for me!) Second: cuttie: I'm not sure what you're trying to say but it sounds negative toward LPNs. Remember cuttie: LPNs are NURSES TOO! (and darn good ones at that!)

I was not trying to be negative towards anyone. I was reading everyone's comments. Two people said that they haven't heard or knowone has proven that LVN"s can't provide the best care. I was speaking in general, the article said, that even RN's too, that have only ADN degrees don't provide better care than a RN with a advance degree. I am not against anyone, I am one of you guys.

Guys let support LPNs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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LPNS ARE TEACHERS TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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From LPN to Educator

In 1995, Coleman's affection for nursing and a desire to help train others interested in healthcare led her from the doctor's office to the classroom, when a teaching opportunity for a medical assistant became available.

The transition from nurse to educator was smooth and successful — so much so that Coleman was recently named Teacher of the Year by the Virginia Career College Association (VCCA).

The award is quite an honor, especially when considering that VCCA is comprised of 20 private colleges. An instructor at the Lynchburg campus of National College, Coleman also served as medical department chairwoman before being promoted to her current position as director of healthcare education.

"I was working full time at a practice that specialized in internal medicine and cardiology when a teaching position came available for a night course in anatomy and physiology," explained Coleman.

Coleman applied and was hired for the position. After the first night of teaching, she was hooked. Coleman stayed on staff at the doctor's office for 5 more years, but changed her schedule from full time to a more flexible status, enabling her to spend more time at the college.

"I teach in a career college and, while we don't have a nursing program, we have a medical assisting program, which is how I'm able to teach [as an LPN]," explained Coleman. "It's a 2-year associate degree and it's very similar to nursing, but with a different type of certification. Our students are primarily trained for ambulatory care settings like physician offices and clinics handling both direct patient care and administrative duties."

"Working in the medical field is not just something you do," she said, "it's who you are and what you believe. Alleviating your patients' pain, helping them through crisis situations and developing medical plans are the most rewarding things you can do. This is what I tell my students. This is what I believe."

It is true in canada diploma LPNs are called Registered Practical Nurses? And Canada RNs are called Bachelor Science Nurses and need a Bachelor degree to practice?

website: http://www.georgebrown.ca/nursing/index.aspx#top

Recent changes in the entry to practice requirements by the College of Nurses of Ontario have resulted in changes to the registered nursing and practical nursing programs. As of January 2005, Registered Nurses beginning their practice will require Baccalaureate nursing preparation while Practical Nurses must graduate from a Registred practical nursing Diploma program.

I've read most of the above posts but not all so I apologize if someone has already posted this...Not only are some facilities going "all RN" but some are going "all BSN." Note, I said some. When I moved to a new area, I found that my several of my dream jobs were at a hospital only hiring BSNs (I'm an ADN-prepared RN), so I was not allowed to apply. Forget about all this LPN vs RN vs BSN, etc. We are all nurses. We each have our own strengths. That is the beauty of nursing. You may be a lousy L&D nurse but a fantastic tele nurse, etc. Find your strength and be the best nurse you can be. I don't think all facilities will be able to go "all RN" or "all BSN" due to the nursing shortage. They would lose too many good nurses. We don't have enough teachers as it is. Support one another and stop fighting. Patients don't know the difference anyway. They just know when you are a bad nurse or clearly don't know what you are doing. Don't be that nurse....

i was a cna for 8 yrs, qma for 5 yrs, and now a lpn for 6 yrs, and in school for my bsn. i am only doing my bsn because i know how "the system" works! i will be held back just because i am a lpn. i am sure that i could work and think circles around certin rn's that i work with, its crazy and a load of s@*t! i live in an area where one of the biggest hospitals in our area just told their lpn's, either go back to school or retire! can you believe that one? that is when i knew what i needed to do! we joke at work: "well, at least as an lpn i am licensed, and you as an rn are only registered"!

NurseBetty2008 Said:

I am a LPN, and have been one for 1 year before that i was a CNA for five years, i have seen my share of lazy LPNs and RNs a nurse is a nurse is a nurse, how many times must that be said? i love my job no matter what the pay, and yes i am going back for my RN simply to fulfill a desire of mine to have a college degree so why not get a degree in something that i love? where i am from LPNs only make approximately 14-17$ per hour RNs make approx. 21-25$ per hour so its not like i am going to make that much more money. so why doesn’t everyone quit complaining and enjoy what they do and go on

LoveNursing2009 says: I TOTALLY AGREE WITH YOU BETTY2008!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Cause soon RNs may need a BSN to practice or years from now maybe even a masters? like where ar eyou safe to stop?
what if this affects the USA soon?

It is true in canada diploma LPNs are called Registered Practical Nurses? And Canada RNs need a Bachelor degree to practice?

website: http://www.georgebrown.ca/nursing/index.aspx#top
Recent changes in the entry to practice requirements by the College of Nurses of Ontario have resulted in changes to the registered nursing and practical nursing programs. As of January 2005, Registered Nurses beginning their practice will require Baccalaureate nursing preparation while Practical Nurses must graduate from a Registred practical nursing Diploma program.