Ok, so I've been an LPN for a year now. I'm on the float team which means I have worked in almost every area of the hospital including Med/Surg, The ER, PEDs, and even Critical Care. When I was 19, I saw a friend of mine on the bus and she and I got to talking. She told me she was going to be an LPN then an RN. At the time I had never heard of the LPN. So, I asked her, " what's an LPN?" She said, " haha, a Lower Paid Nurse." SHe is now an RN (congrats!). I didn't get it until I became an LPN myself many years later. I've had my own business coordinating recreational activities for teens and young adults in group homes. So, working with ppl for the better good wasn't too far from my comfort zone. Now, don't get me wrong, I love what I do! BUT (and there is a HUGE BUT), LPN's pick up the slack, take the worst assignments, delegate, take care of patients, and get paid pennies. It kills me when I hear RN's say things like, " He/she is ONLY an LPN", or " when u get your RN, you will then be part of the team"....EXCUSE ME!?! Please allow me to spell it out for all to see...L=Licensed P=Practical N=NURSE...and if anyone dares to think we are anything other than Nurses...please refer to the N.

I feel your pain  I work at a hospital and prior to this I worked in a skilled facility where the LPNS did everything the RNs do here, minus blood transfusions, and other things like that.  I can't tell you how many times you hear "are you a nurse or and LPN" or i"f they de-sat(at shift report) get the nurse.." Like I don't know what to do...Very annoying.. Who do the RNS go when they have questions???I believe you arn't a good RN unless you where an LPN or even CNA first.  Many RNS here who have gone up the latter agree with that, the ones who went straight to RN school however need a serious attitude adjustment if they want our full potential of help. :)

I AM PROUD TO BE A NURSE.. LPN.. I WAS A PROUD CNA AND I AM MORE PROUD NOW BEING AN LPN I LOVE THE HANDS ON AND MAYBE ONE DAY I WILL BECOME AN RN AND I WILL NEVER FORGET WHERE I STARTED AND JUST LIKE THE GIRLS TELL ME ON THE JOB " YOU ARE THE 1ST NURSE THAT WILL GET ON THE FLOOR AND HELP THAT WILL JUMP RIGHT IN AND GIVE A SHOWER AND HELP THE TEAM OUT'" AND THAT IS WHAT I AM PROUD OF SOME NURSES GET SOME LETTERS BEHIND THEIR NAME AND THINK THEY ARE TOO GOOD TO HELP ON THE FLOOR OR CANT EVEN ANSWER A CALL LIGHT AND THEY ARE RIGHT OUT SIDE THE DOOR.. LPNS ROCK!!!

ninelives,

I feel your frustration and anger at the fact that you have been belittled and not recognized for the great work that you do everyday to make peoples lives better, and yes even to save their lives and protect the licenses of the others you work for including the doctors and the most important license of all is yours.

I  too have contributed in many situations to the very life and existance of my patients. I have saved patients from wrong site surgery, wrong medication doses, recognizing ( before giving) meds ordered that the pt was allergic to, etc...

That is what we are supposed to do....ensure the safety of our patients. Those who are in higher postitions of authority are only human too...they can and do make mistakes, but we must remember that we also can and will make mistakes, sometimes potentially life threatening ones...

Team Work is what saves lives. Every one should double check each other for mistakes and not be offended by it but be greatful for the extra reasurance that our patient will benefit in the end from whatever we do.

Have you ever made a human error in nursing care or practice ? have you felt the shock of it and realized that it was you who didn't know or do what you should have ? you who were looked upon as the bad guy? who couldn't do your job, so someone else (less educated than you perhaps) had to figure it out for you? Then you would understand and be able to empathize with others who are not perfect either.

godsblessings says ...

I have been an LPN for almost 13 years and made a pretty good salary.  This was due to I had made a good reputation for myself and was paid a lot to leave one job to go to another.  I took on all of the responsiblities of an RN in the facility in which I worked.   I too would hear that stuff about "just an LPN" or "not real nurse", but those that knew me and my work quickly let go of that statement and instead would say things like "with your knoweledge you would think you are an RN" or "you should be an RN".   The only reason I am not an RN is because I had to keep a full time job in order to just get by.   I also couldn't afford (with my health included) to take on any more than I already had.   Now because of a couple of new employees at the place I worked for over 9 years I find myself out of a job.  In a lot of ways I believe it is a blessing from God and now am attempting to get back to school for my RN.  I WANT TO GET MY RN FOR ME AND FOR GOD TO CONTINUE TO WORK THROUGH ME AS HE DOES.   I also need to get my RN because I was getting paid almost RN salary and now looking for a job as an LPN is hard because it won't pay the bills and most of the jobs where I live want only RNs.  Yes, it isn't right, but what are you going to do?     The only thing you can do is......................pray and go back to school! 

I agree with you! I've been an LPN for 2.5 years. There is a LOT of attitude toward LPNs. Too many nurses I've worked with were catty, rude, and they would try to pass the blame to anyone other than themselves. Some would get pissy when the LPN (me) was working her tail off to do a great job. Or God forbid your personality clashes with the RN's. They will "throw you under the bus!" Most time, the RN's word (or lies) will be listened to over that of an LPN. I am now enrolled and registered to go back to school and get me RN. I'm so very close, but I'm burned out on the attitude I've gotten from most of the nurses I've worked with.

KB2_LPN says ...

 HOWEVER there are allot that think OH I am an RN I don’t have to help you with anything and they walk around with an IM ALL THAT chip on their shoulder just remember this ONE day you will be sick at some point in time and YOU will need and want a great CNA or LPN or RN to help you, so they need to know no matter if your badge says CNA LPN RN we are all here for the best care of the patient and the family..

I love how you said that! Even though i just graduated nursing school in dec and am a new LPN im very proud to be one! I understand where everyone on here is coming from! When I was in school and everyone asked LPN or RN it seemed as they all but turned up their nose when i replied proudly LPN!

I also get sick of hearing "JUST AN LPN" "YOU ARE GOING TO GO BACK FOR YOUR RN RIGHT?" or "OH YOUR ONLY AN LPN? IS THERE NOT A REAL NURSE HERE?" excuse me! IM a real nurse!

I just wish it was different and everyone could realize theres just a semester between LPN and RN, and theyre both nurses and should both be treated as such!

Ok. So here is the deal. I have read every post in this and other articles and what I find is judgement. We're human, I know - but lets try to keep the judgement down a little, huh? ALL nurses are a part of the team, they are just needed in different ways. I have learned through school that the key components between an LPN and RN are minute. The importance here is the NON NURSING minuta. What I mean is this: I am an LPN. It was a diploma program, and I learned how to be a nurse. I also have a Bachelors in Psychology. All of the schooling I learned in my Bachelor's university taught me how to write appropriately (with syntax and spelling), how to approach people, how to get along with others, how to learn, how to pay attention. My point is that I learned a general, rounded education. I am in a postiion at work generally reserved for RN's, but I am doing well. When you become a ADN or BSN, you will learn your english, math, history, sciences, and electives that make you a well rounded person. This is where a lot of people get that RN school is different than LPN. Yes, there are a few differences in scopes and responsibility, but those non-nursing classes help formulate your critical thinking and abilities. LPN's are not better than RN's, and no LPN runs circles around RNs. No RN runs circles around an LPN or CNA. It is the PERSON behind the job that runs circles around others. Be proud of what you as an individual can do. Being a nurse doesnt make you a good person, being a good person makes you a great nurse! We are all nurses destined to do different and great things, so lets focus on that and get off of our high horses and do it!

Ok, Nurseguybri. Welcome to Nursing Link. I have read your post, and I guess I disagree with what you wrote about reading every post here and in other articles, and find judgement. I am the moderator on the site, and I wrote the post previous to yours. I pretty much said the same thing you said. I always write non-judgement articles, and try to find the best and positive in every situation.

What we have tried to foster here on NL is a safe environment, where people can express their thoughts and concerns. Sorry you feel like there is so much judgement on the site. You have made one post on the site. I would encourage you to really get to know the people here and you will find that judgement is not the case at all. Thank you for your post and your concern.

I have read the posts in this group. 

It is too bad that anyone gets off with the: "They're just a _______FILL IN BLANK WITH ANY DEGREE, RACE, CREED. COLOR, DOG/CAT LOVER_______".

There are still boneheads out there that think that they should put down others to make themselves feel better.  I read these and feel as though the bigger point was totally missed.  We are all part of a health care team and if we are not, we should leave.  Every person on that team has a part to play and they all do different things within the total team.

Nursing gets the most confusing because we are all called nurses.  Doctors go through it in training (medical school graduate, intern, resident, post-doc, etc),.  In the end-they are all doctors, each has a different place on the team BUT they all have a place on the team.

Back to my point.  A person with esteem problems will seek out someone else to put down, to make themselves "appear" better.  Dig back in your memories and think about a particular person who said such a statement.  My guess is that that person is not someone you would look up to or ask advice.

If you are not happy with where you are - change.  If you are happy - stay.  It's a long life to live if you don't love you job.