Thank you for the welcome!

[aklpn]

Hi, I'm an lpn student in Alaska.
I'm being retrained through the workmans comp program following an industrial accident in the construction field. I've recovered well physically, and I appreciate the opportunity to enter a new field. (especially the opportunity to go back to school!) The program will end soon and I'll have that signature that says It's safe for me to take the licensing test. I'm going on for my associate RN degree, but have to wait 8 months, as there seems to be a shortage of nursing instructors and preceptor sites.
It's been interesting reading some of the postings. I can see why some non-nurses are involved, it can be interesting for anyone to read!
I have logged in to ask you for help. My final presentation is about trends in nursing. I have chosen a subject suggested by my instructor. It poses the question
"Are LPN's professionals, or ancillary?"
The presentation is 35 minutes long, so I need a lot of material to wade through. Preferably some discussions between heavilly academically and professionally decorated folks exuding their views out on reams of paper that I can glean some points out of and then cite their work. Most of my internet searches end up in advertisements of one sort of another, so I'm heading for the library.
Any idias on where I can find more info?
Thanks,
aklpn

[cougarnurse]

Hi, aklpn.... Something you might want to consider is that 48 states have LPN's...P as in Professional. The State BON's give that distinction. TX and CA have LVN's. Perhaps you can use that in your presentation?

Peruse a Nurse Practice Act from most any state for information, or go to the NFLPN site at: Welcome the NFLPN. hope this helps some.


'Cat'

[SoldierNurse]

Hi, aklpn.... Something you might want to consider is that 48 states have LPN's...P as in Professional. The State BON's give that distinction. TX and CA have LVN's. Perhaps you can use that in your presentation?

Peruse a Nurse Practice Act from most any state for information, or go to the NFLPN site at: Welcome the NFLPN. hope this helps some.


'Cat'

It is my understanding LPN = Licensed Practical Nursing.

IMHO, LPN/LVN's are neither ancillary, or professional, but somewhere in between. I say this with the upmost respect for LVN's. The Army Medical Department has an outstanding LPN/LVN program. I work along side several outstanding military & civilian LVN's. I certainly would not consider LVN's as ancillary staff. Although, clinical assistants are very helpful an LVN's scope of practice is far greater.

However, in my RN-BSN program we were told on the first day of orientation we are entering a program to become professional nurses. Well, in the back of my mind I thought oh really here I've been an RN [ADN] for four years and considered myself already a professional nurse. Therefore, if an ADN is not considered a professional nurse, then neither is an LVN.

Yet, it is reasonable to say an LVN can be very professional in their performance as a nurse.

[LTC LPN 2006]

I am a NURSE, a Licensed Practical Nurse, and proud of it. I take offense that I would be considered ancillary as opposed to professional. I am new to the profession and still have a great deal to learn but from what I we learned there are a few areas where RNs have more ability (starting IVs, giving IV meds, blood transfusions, etc) and more training in management but we are still responsible for understanding what it going on with our patients IV even if we cannot actually do it ourself. We get one year of training and a huge amount of responsibility which isn't to be taken lightly. I take my job very seriously and hate the stigma that I am less of a nurse because I am an LPN. This is no offense to RNs, I respect them as well and realize they have more training. In my line of work (long term care), I work right beside RNs and there is no destinction because I have just as much responsibility and work just as hard to care for my residents as they do. Furthermore, I am sick of the world always asking "When are you going on for your RN" as if being an LPN is some sub-standard class of being a nurse. I don't mean for this to offend anyone or discount the hard work that RNs go through to become RNs. Just some frustrations because many non-medical people equate Nurse to RN and do not understand that LPNs are nurses too.

[SoldierNurse]

I am a NURSE, a Licensed Practical Nurse, and proud of it. I take offense that I would be considered ancillary as opposed to professional. I am new to the profession and still have a great deal to learn but from what I we learned there are a few areas where RNs have more ability (starting IVs, giving IV meds, blood transfusions, etc) and more training in management but we are still responsible for understanding what it going on with our patients IV even if we cannot actually do it ourself. We get one year of training and a huge amount of responsibility which isn't to be taken lightly. I take my job very seriously and hate the stigma that I am less of a nurse because I am an LPN. This is no offense to RNs, I respect them as well and realize they have more training. In my line of work (long term care), I work right beside RNs and there is no destinction because I have just as much responsibility and work just as hard to care for my residents as they do. Furthermore, I am sick of the world always asking "When are you going on for your RN" as if being an LPN is some sub-standard class of being a nurse. I don't mean for this to offend anyone or discount the hard work that RNs go through to become RNs. Just some frustrations because many non-medical people equate Nurse to RN and do not understand that LPNs are nurses too.

No offense taken! Glad to see your a proud nurse.

[broadnaxyogi]

Good day gentlemen, I just wanted to inro. myself my name is Donald and I just found this site, its great to be able to communicate with fellow male nurses, I am a retired Police Officer, and became a nurse 20 yrs ago as a LPN in the military and finally got my BSN 4 years ago emergency medicine is my specialty, but coming from a military medical background I've done it all. Thanks for having me aboard:: :firedup:

[cougarnurse]

Good day gentlemen, I just wanted to inro. myself my name is Donald and I just found this site, its great to be able to communicate with fellow male nurses, I am a retired Police Officer, and became a nurse 20 yrs ago as a LPN in the military and finally got my BSN 4 years ago emergency medicine is my specialty, but coming from a military medical background I've done it all. Thanks for having me aboard:: :firedup:

Welcome to the site, Donald; glad to have you with us! I did the LPN to BSN route like you, but didn't do the Military bit.

Hope to see many of your posts.

'Cat'