[dianne waite]

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LPN to RN online

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i am a 53 yr old LPN, who has worked side by side with RN's for more than 20 years, they do very little that an LPN can not do, but i to one like to be a Rn just for the pay difference, my son is a RN, my sister is a RN, i respect all nurses, but i believe the pay difference is wrong, i have worked for doctors, dept of corrections, and hospital settings, LPN's need to recognized as we were 25 years ago when we got out of nursing school, our school was not easy, either, anatomy and physiology, pharmacots, med surg. geriatrics, pediactrice, mental health, i was an honor graduate, while i raised two sons, i think we do not get the credit we deserve, we can start IV's, but can't give IV meds direct in the line, that makes no sence, Rn and LPN pharmacology are not that much different, we work er, or, peds, ob, med surg, mental health, so someone please explain why we are second class citizens in the nurse world<font color="black">Text</font> &lt;img src="http://www.ultimatenurse.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /&gt;

[Anonymous]

You are not second class citizens. Only if you chose to be.

I had a counselor tell me once. "People don't stay where they are not happy".. I have tried to take that to heart.

WR,,, three commas for Becca

[medi]

LPN's are a great asset to the nursing team and we really Do appreciate you, especially experienced ones such as yourself!

That being said I think you would be truly surprised at the additional depth of study and knowledge in the core sciences that RN's are required to take as part of the degree process. The scope of study gives the RN a much more comprehensive understanding of the nature of various disease processes that helps the RN develop more comprehensive plans of care and patient teaching.

Whereas gaining a certificate and license to practice as an LPN is the final level of that particular career path, an RN degree is a starting level from which a professional may, if they so desire, continue their education and progress to various degrees of specialization or educational levels and career paths within the field ranging from nurse administrators to clinical specialists and nurse practitioners.

Have you ever considered becomming an RN? There is finally an online LPN to RN degree program available.
http://medi-smart.com/news6.htm

Many hospitals offer tuition assistance programs to help out too. Something to consider eh?

[phil34]

Look to your state board of nursing and you will see the differences for yourself. You will also have more respect for your professional license and the professional licenses' of others. You will also know what you can and cant do (some hospitals expand on your scope of practice so check your hospital). Every nurse is impt no matter the license or degree.

[cannon]

I am a BSN and have taught the PN program. I know the curriculum well. I have supervised LPN's, RN's,BSN's and MSN's. In each class, I've had terrific ones and I have had
______well, I won't go there. My point is, It is a waste of your valuable time and energy to ponder this. We say that about physician's too. Let's come together and support each other and make our profession stronger. We will always have those who think they are better than anyone else. You yourself decide your status, not anyone else. Maybe you really are ready to expand your knowledge based, maybe you need new challenges. Be a mentor and do your part to change that way of destructive thinking. All is said with the utmost respect and good intent! Cannon

[belladonna]

I can't believe you have had this message on this site for over a year and you have only gotten these 4 responses.
I too am an LPN. I raised three children as a single mother while going to nursing school. I agree with all you say, I did everything the RN's did except central lines, I even did the RN's paper work. Some of the facilities I've worked in only had one RN Supervisor for the whole building, with LPN's on each unit. On night shift the RN would get upset if you woke her up. I think that there are a lot more jobs for LPN's than there are for RN's. More and more facilities are using LPN's because they can save so much money. LPN's are becoming more and more specialized too. Some of the LPN's I've worked with have become OR scrub nurses, Wound-care nurses etc. I've been a nurse for 16 years, my kids are grown now. You are 53. Why in the world would we want to spend more time and money going back to school!! Being a nurse, you have to know that life is precious and often-times quality of life is too short a time to waste. Think about what you want to do and do it before you need a nurse yourself!!

[lb137]

i am an lpn of 12 years and have been "meaning to go for that rn" for some 6 + years. however, i started up with the college network 2 yrs ago--now paying the loan-- and have only completed one coarse because i have become discouraged in this profession. while i have respect for all nurses and cnas i have felt very swallowed up in the profession. i have always been a patient advocate and been truthful with my coworkers. i have worked in hospitals, nursing homes (as both staff and supervisor), corrections, office settings and homecare. each time i try to advocate for what is right(good patient care, teamwork, the rights of others, or reporting abuse--ESPECIALLY) i have had problems. it has gotten to the point that i am thinking about changing my study focus/major; i feel like the only reason i would have for completing my rn coursework would be to assure myself that i am "worthy" by the standards of many who think that only rns are nurses. is anyone else senitive to what i'm saing here??

[onegoodnurse]

You have to give respect in order to earn respect. If you are resentful of what others are making wage wise, it's going to come through in your relationships with co-workers and apparently your family. I've never in my 36 years in the nursing field ever heard an LPN referred to as a second class citizen. I've worked with some awesome LPN's that knew more than some RN's I've worked with. They were proud to be an LPN and never judged themselves and their worth by the size of their paycheck. You are basing the belief of being a second class citizen on money, not skill and knowledge. If my son followed in my footsteps, I would be so proud. If you don't believe in your value, no one else will either. Consider advancing your education...the more you learn, the more you earn. You only have to prove this to yourself.

[Faizi]

I think it is a matter of professional respect. Money is nice but respect is the thing that LPNs want.

LPNs can do anything they are trained to do.

The majority of RNs are not more educated than LPNs. I do not consider the RN education to be well rounded.

I think that LPNs should be eliminated. All nurses should be RNs.

I think that it is deplorable that LPNs are often hired because they are less expensive.

ALL NURSES SHOULD COST THE SAME. All nurses should be similarly skilled.

How can this be achieved?

I don't think it can happen with the current restraints and organizations.

Faizi

[lam]

I was an LPN for 14 years before going back for the RN and there was a big difference in the courses. in the RN program we really went deeper into pharmacalogy, A&amp;P I and II my clinicals were more intense more focus on the specialties.