Recently I lost my job; not by choice, illness, relocation, discipline issues or lack of work, but because L+M Hospital decided, after 37 years of service, that the letters after my name deem me unqualified to perform my job. I am a nurse and the letters after my name are LPN. That makes no difference, I am a nurse. I have spent my life caring for the people of this community and remained loyal to L+M and its mission statement.

I have never had negative feedback from patients, families or coworkers and have always had excellent performance appraisals. I have heard that L+M's goal is to be an all Bachelor of Science Nursing (BSN) patient care hospital. Letters after a name do not always mean someone is better at bedside nursing.

It has made me bitter and angry. There are 18 fellow LPNs that are affected by this action, each and every one as loyal and committed to L+M as I. Although a severance package was offered to us, thanks to the hard work of our union representatives, I still feel stepped on and brushed aside. I leave with my head held high knowing that I am a good nurse and it is their loss.

Patrica DeWald

Hope Valley, RI