[nyapa]

I recently have finished my first year as an RN. Previous to that I was an EN for many years. EN basically is equivalent to LPN. As an EN I didn't see this, but as an RN I think that there is a hidden undercurrent of 'us' and 'them'. Comments like 'its good you've got all RNs on this shift' or 'RNs have to do a lot of ENs work'. I personally find this quite offensive, because as an EN I worked my butt off. And the ENs I have come into contact with on several wards are often the ones with the senior knowledge. They are just not allowed to assume it for legal reasons. So what do you LPNs, RNs and Aussie ENs think?

[Kymmi]

I dont mean to offend but if you do a search on this forum you will find sooooooooooooooo many threads with the RN/LPN debate and it really gets old and the topic never ends nicely because at some point people take offense and feel offended.
I am a RN...used to be a LPN......had different functions in both capacities......I work currently with some wonderful LPN and Aides and at times I am happy to see that Im working with them as opposed to some of the RN's I've encountered.

[nyapa]

I guess many of the threads on this board have been overdone. I haven't seen this as a poll. The reason I brought it up was not to offend but simply to make ppl think before they do or say things. If the moderators do think it may cause trouble, please, take it off the board, that is not my intent.

[Kymmi]

Nyapa----I understand what you're saying and it would be wonderful if we thought about what we did or said to each other .....and Im sorry if I came off as sounding rude to you because that wasnt my intent either.

[nyapa]

No I wasn't upset. To be quite honest, I really didn't want to cause any trouble. It just upsets me when I see this attitude at work, sometimes blatantly in front of the EN!

[Heather, R.N.]

I think there is in some areas... I'm an RN who was precepted by a certain LVN and I wouldn't have had it any other way. She was by far one of the best nurses, regardless of her certification, that I have EVER seen. I've seen some scary RN's and some scary LVN's... I think it's all relative.

[Suesquatch]

I went with "unsure" because the only grief I've ever gotten is from other LPN's resentful that I'm going on for the RN. "Why, are you thinking of leaving?" "I don't need that. I can do everything I need to as an LPN." "I wouldn't earn any more. I'm already at the top." "More authority. Ha! That's what you think?"

[Djuna]

I work in a busy ED and although I don't believe there is a blatant culture of 'us' and 'them', I do see the benefits of only having RNs.

In a small rural hospital you are put under a lot more pressure when the EN cannot triage or give medication to under 14 year olds, start IVs and other tasks necessary to the smooth functioning of the ED. These are left solely to the RN and sometimes it's just too much work for 2 RNs on a busy shift. It's stressful enough without one member of the team limited in her functional ability.

In other wards however ENs are part of the team and in general very well liked.

[amigojack]

Unsure. Coz there's a reason why we're we are... there may be more "authority" privileges among RNs i think

[KristiePDX]

There are no LPNs at my facility. I have never worked with one so I checked unsure. I do know that the CNAs get the utmost respect from the nurses where I work and are a valued memeber of the TEAM. There is no "us" and "them" We all share in the ups and downs though the CNAs are more likley to get a break during the hard times. (yes i know that your question applied to the LPN role)