LPN"s Deserves MUCH RESPECT! I was a LPN for six years before returning to school. People fail to remember that when

working in healthcare, we must all work as a team so that we can provide the best care. There are certain skills that CNA's, LPN's and RN's have that when put together = Quality Healthcare! So comming from an RN, I love having an LPN to work with.  

 Hello, I'm new to this so I can't say whether Rn's are better than LPN's.  I've chosen to go the route of LPN because I knew I wasn't to going to get into the RN program at my local community college and because I just want to get into the field and start my career.  I've spent the last three years just trying to get the pre-reqs done and I'm not getting any closer to the goal.  So I'm going the LPN route and I intend to the best job I can as one.

LPN's are very important. I was told the other day from a nurse recruiter that hospitals are getting away from hiring LPN's because they are a large liability. I don't see this. I think the more eyes, or help there is benefits the patient. One nurse may not see everything and the LPN may catch something the RN doesn't and visa versa. Some of the places I've worked as  RN/LPN team we busted butt checking out and caring for the patients. It was a good thing, bouncing  ideas off each other.

People have said this in a round about way, but this person said that hospitals are getting away from using LPN's. An article I read the other day said that LPNs are on the rise, it's one of the jobs that's having large growth. I know this hospital is trying for all RN's. It doesn't make sense not  using LPN's when they are so short of help.

I think a lot of it has to do with primary care nursing these days. Once they go back to team nursing they will get the LPN back in there. I been reading lately that there is even talk of removing the CNA, which makes no sense to me. I think many places do not know how to properly use the LPN and CNA.

Hey cd are you in Alanta now? Did you leave Vegas?

How could anyone possibly do without CNAs?? That makes no sense. They tried it at a hospital here. No CNAs and no LPNs, only RNs giving total care. Didn't work. They brought the CNAs back but not the LPNs.   I think nursetb38 said it best "We are each of us angels with only one wing and we can fly only by embracing one another. " This is appropriate regarding the LPN/RN position.    nursetb38- I totally agree with you

 Char, I TOO started as a NA you were not even certified at the time but then I also got my LVN and worked as an LVN while finishing my RN and worked as an RN to get my degrees and so on, everyone has different goals, we are ALL important to our patient's I have the highest respect for the LVN and CNAs that care for my patient's, the patient's need them as well.

I have something to say that absolutely blows my mind! I have been an Rn since 6/11 and wow. I have gone back to work where I worked on and off during school until I can get a graduate position in the hospital. I have heard "I don't know I'm just an LPN' and "you don't really think LPN's can do that?" from LPN's. I would have never said these words in my years as an LPN. I was very proud of my positions as an LPN. I pushed myself to learn, to grow...Our Lpn instructor said she would haunt us forever if she heard "I'm just an LPN." I don't know if it is just the state I am in, they don't think highly of the LPN in this state. So does this make the LPN  think less of their abilities, skills and critical thinkin? There are some very weak, maybe insecure LPN's. There are very good ones to but I have never run into this attitude...ever!  Have I just stepped into the Rn vs Lpn thing. God I hope not! The LPN's I worked with through school are great, they don't treat me any different...I know I'm not different. It's the new younger ones, it's almost like they don't want to use there skills, maybe they aren't teaching that these days, who knows? I always thought of myself, as well as other LPN's I've worked with, that we were part of the RN/LPN team.

http://nursinglink.monster.com/benefits/4352-10-reasons-to-choose-an-lpnlvn-license

10 Reasons to Choose an LPN/LVN Licence

Nursing education can sometimes seem long, arduous and difficult to face when you are first making decisions about your career. However, if you have a desire to go into the field of nursing, there is a path, that is, perhaps as arduous, but at least, less lengthy. If your current life circumstances keep you from devoting too many years to a nursing education, if you have completed a high school diploma or GED and are over 17 years old, consider a Licensed Practical/ Vocational Nurse (LPN/LVN) certification and licensure.

Here are 10 reasons this could be a reasonable path for you:

1. You can receive the education you need to take the LVN licensure exam with 12-18 months of classes.

2. Many Junior Colleges and on-line programs offer this education (making it more convenient and cost effective for working mothers-or fathers- or others with a second career).

3. The courses you complete will prepare you to work with patients in hospital settings, skilled nursing facilities and doctor’s offices.

4. There are opportunities for advancement in the supervision of other LPNs or nursing assistants.

5. Many health care organizations are providing care outside the traditional setting for vaccinations, health screenings and other routine patient care and these employ LVNs and RNs to help organize and provide their services.

6. The community as a whole is aging, providing increasing numbers of employment opportunities for health care workers in the geriatric field.

7. Technology advancements now allow patients who’s health is still compromised to return home from the hospital- increasing the demand for home health nursing care (LVNs can do that too.)

8. Wages vary by location but seem to be around $32,000- $43,000 per year.

9. You can have a job that supports you while considering or pursuing a more advanced nursing degree (there are LPN-RN degree programs).

10. Again, the nursing field will only continue to grow. It needs people dedicated to meeting the physical, mental and spiritual needs of communities. If you feel you can add value to other’s lives by caring for them or assisting them in these needs, this is the right choice for you.

The kind of care an LVN learns to provide, include basic bedside care, bathing, lifting, mouth care, caring for wounds, administering injections, delivering simple procedures and measuring the vital signs of temperature, pulse, respiration and blood pressure. State laws refer to this as direct patient care and “data collection.” The LVN observes and collects information about the state of a patient’s condition so that the RN and physician can respond to that data with an assessment and diagnosis.

Some states allow LVNs to start intravenous lines and attend to patients who need ventilator care. Often times, the LPN will find her/him self taking on the clerical duties of a physician’s office assisting in the patient scheduling, assuring medical records are completed and even managing and supervising the office. They also are prepared in their education to communicate with family members, and can then educate the family and the patient himself about home care or deliver other information the physician feels is important for the patient to know to enhance the healing process.

The kinds of classes that need completion and that are part of an accredited program for LVNs/ LPN cerification include many classes also offered to the RN student. These include:

• Anatomy and physiology

• Patho-physiology

• Medical-surgical nursing

• Pediatrics

• Obstetrics

• Psychiatric nursing

• Pharmacology

• Nutrition

• And first aid

During a program there are many hours spent in the hospital or physician office setting as the lab section of the program and the internship. As many as 1000 hours may be spent in this part of the program.

State laws do require that Vocational or Practical nurses complete an accredited program and receive certification at the end of a program. After such a course, the student will be eligible to complete the NCLEX-PN licensure exam given to ensure the knowledge of the student and to actually give the student the license of LPN/LVN.

The LPN or LVNs are the “front line” licensed staff of hospitals, skilled nursing facilities and physician offices. They are the skilled nurses that help gather information that is used to assess the condition of patients and then allows for correct diagnoses and treatment by the RN, Advanced Practice Clinician or physician. This is a growing field that can be a complete and fulfilling career in itself, or a beginning for someone who wants to continue on the path of nursing.

I think if anyone in the nursing field is underrated it's the cna. I've read the post on this site but you lpns say the same things about cnas. i worked as a cna for many years. It was the rns who told me that i would make an excellent nurse. I knew i would because i wasn't a lazy cna.  I've seen lazy lpns, and rns. When i went back to school  it was because i wanted to be the kind of nurse that didn't mind getting my hands dirty. I T'S NOT beneath me to change a patient , give a shower or feed someone..   Just because i have degrees that doesn't make me better than anyone. I know how it feels to be considered the low man on the toting pole.  Some rns have been nothing but that. that is all they know. They  might have never been a cna or an lpn. So of course they are stuck up people. I am a rn but in my heart i will never forget where i started, as a cna. That job was my bread and butter for many years. So don't judge all rns. Some of us are really good people..

VA hospitals have LPN positions.  As for what's better/worse, higher/lower,  etc, etc, yada yada yada.....  Do what makes u the happiest.  Having a degree does not make u a better person or a better employee.  It's how u perform your job that counts.

Dont blame the RNs for what companies are choosing to do.  Personally I love  LPNs considering I was one for 7 years before I went back for my RN.  I think LPNs are needed but we RNs dont make that decision the Government and policy makers do.  I think it is great that you enjoy being an LPN just like I enjoy being an RN, but I dont think we should be judged or knocked for something we have no control over.  Shoot I hate the fact that once I did get my RN they started requiring you to have a BSN or MSN to get certain jobs but it is what it is and the only thing I can do is go back and get that if I want the position I am appling for.  When it all comes down to it we are all nurses and should look out for are fellow nurses instead of dogging them for having more education.  I really thought we had come farther than that. Keeping it real.

Get over this RN vs LPN thing.

Cuttie is NOT EVEN A NURSE  shes a CNA so your comment: It has been studied, not only LVN's can't give better care, but RN's with only a ADN degree. IS DISSMISSED FROM ME!!! LOL

LPNs and RN ADN give great care!!! i gave great care when i went from LPN to RN ADN and i still do now as a BSN!!!!

The whole LPN/ RN debate has been going on for years, and i am sure will continure for a long time to come.I have met many good LPN'S and some not so good LPN'S.I  think it depends on where and what type unit you will be working.At the hospital i work at, they do not hire LPN'S.There are a few that were "grandfathered" in, but they will hire no more.I have worked w/ a many Lpn  that could carry their weight in gold, while others not so much.Picking and choosing what can do, what pt's you can take etc puts a big strain on the rest of the staff. Working on a super busy  med surg ortho unit, you do not have time for that.Others, have been wonderful.So when people ask should i go for LPN  or RN, i think they need to think about where they want to work, and what exactly the type of job they want.What are their goals in their career.That is all i have to say on the subject. :)