LPN/RN Rumble

[BellaItalianaLPN]

Hello everyone!

I would like to know if anyone has had a similar problem to mine and how you handled it. Well, here it goes...

Last week, on break, I was talking to a friend of mine that works in the kitchen. I said something to the effect of, "Girl, you just don't know. I'm a Nurse so my feet are always barkin'." An RN that works on the same floor as me quickly turns around and snaps, "You're not a Nurse, you're only an LPN." I didn't say anything but I wanted to tell her that I am a Nurse and I wear that title proudly. I may have yet to go back to school to get Registered but I take care of the patients with the same, if not more, care than you do!

I'm just a little taken a back that RN's, the ones that I've encountered, don't respect us LPN's. Why are they are on their high horse and they think they are far more superior? Shouldn't we all ban together for the sake of great patient care instead of trying to form some "Hosptial Caste System". Sometimes I feel so undereducated when they act like I don't matter. I graduated High school and LPN school with a 4.0 and I also got a 1280 on my SAT's. I feel like I have to constantly reiterate that I'm not this complete ignorant Nurse that the RN's portray me to be. Ok, I may have only one year of post-high school education, but I wanted to start at the bottom of the totem pole and work my way up.

I feel that LPN's are being marginalized by the RN's (in my hospital. I don't want to generalize).

How can I handle this situation? I hate being emotionally weak because it really does hurt. Do you consider LPN's "not real nurses"?

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Doesn't matter what I (or that inconsiderate RN) think. What matters is what you think.

If you know who and what you are, why give someone else (especially someone who obviously doesn't have correct information) a vote on the subject? And why be hurt because someone else is wrong? She can only hurt your feelings if you give her permission.

I posted this in another forum today, but I think it fits here as well:

Refuse to be offended. Ever. Especially when it is not meant. And even when it is.

You have the power in the situation. You don't need her agreement to believe that you are a good and capable nurse. But she does need your agreement for you to be offended. So, disagree. Walk away with your feelings whole and your confidence intact. Don't waste time on what others think if you know the truth. It really does set you free. If, in your calm and confident state, you wish to set the record straight, you might ask her what she thinks the "N" in LPN stands for. But whatever her response, you know the score. Don't let her rob you of your joy.

Best advice :yeahthat:

steph

[ChristyMNOP]

I think this was an insensitive and catty remark meant to hurt your feelings and belittle you. Don't let it.

That being said, I am in nursing school (bsn) and honestly I'm always surprised at how the school aspect teachs us would-be RN's to look at LPNs. For example, where I work as an intern LPN's work alongside RN's and do similar things, save for a few procedures/policies. However, in testing, a lot of questions are similar to "you have an RN, LPN, and UAP on the floor, who can do what? and the answer is always have the LPN get a urine sample or something simple and task oriented-when I know in reality many LPN's do lots of critical thinking/assessment duties. I guess its another case of school vs. reality but I think some of my classmates get the feeling that LPN's are not good nurses from this kind of question. Really sad.

Don't let her get to you!

[RNDreamer]

what does UAP stand for?

I think this was an insensitive and catty remark meant to hurt your feelings and belittle you. Don't let it.

That being said, I am in nursing school (bsn) and honestly I'm always surprised at how the school aspect teachs us would-be RN's to look at LPNs. For example, where I work as an intern LPN's work alongside RN's and do similar things, save for a few procedures/policies. However, in testing, a lot of questions are similar to "you have an RN, LPN, and UAP on the floor, who can do what? and the answer is always have the LPN get a urine sample or something simple and task oriented-when I know in reality many LPN's do lots of critical thinking/assessment duties. I guess its another case of school vs. reality but I think some of my classmates get the feeling that LPN's are not good nurses from this kind of question. Really sad.

Don't let her get to you!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

what does UAP stand for?

Unlicensed assistive personnel.

[RNDreamer]

thanks

[nursemike, ASN, RN]

I've been lucky to work alongside some very good exeprienced LPNs, and more recently some very good novice LPNs. A nurse is a nurse. We have far more in common than we have differences.

I've been a bedside nurse for almost two years. I've seen first-hand what a demanding job it is. I have nothing but respect for anyone who can do it well.

[morte, LPN, LVN]

you are allowing her to "rent" space in your head.....dont turn it into a lease//////

[P_RN, ADN, RN]

:yeahthat:

I love it.

This "conversation" has gone on for the past 60 or so years. NURSE means NURSE. Period, end of topic. No rumble, no grumble. Just NURSE.

[brendamyheart]

you are allowing her to "rent" space in your head.....dont turn it into a lease//////

Great point!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BookLoverLPN]

I remember when I was fresh out of LPN school I scored a job at a hospital working the night shift. Growing up poor this was a great accomplishment. I graduated high school also with a 4.0 (ok, a 3.8 hehe) but I didn't have the money to go to school. I could barely afford a piece of paper (yup, that poor). The ONLY reason why I got into nursing was because my friend told me that the vocational school will allow me to pay for my schooling post graduation. Let me tell you, I LOVE being an LPN.

Anyway, back to what I was saying. I was working on the night shift and I really wanted to help all the RN's. I was talking to one RN to just get some insight and I mentioned something about wanted to obtain my RN so I can get more involved with the nursing career. This was her response, "Yeah, you really should get your RN. I don't know why you didn't before because LPN's are just glorified CNA's." Now, I have nothing against CNA's but I studied my a s s for a year. I'm a NURSE not a NursING assistant!

You're a nurse and you care for your patients. That's all that matters. She obviously isn't happy with herself and just takes it out on the people around her. Be above her. Don't be spiteful. When you cross paths just kindly smile. I can guarantee that not all RN's feel that way. Most RN's have been LPNs, so they know how hard you really work.

Continue to be a great nurse.

[anonymurse]

RNs and LPNs are in the same boat. They have the same problems. They have the same needs. And they're never going to see any improvement until they unite on terms of equality as professionals. Without LPNs, RNs are just too small a voting bloc.

[kstec, LPN]

This rumble continues because of the example I am going to give. And yes I developed hard feelings over this. I work at a clinic in family practice and internal med as a LPN. Well my boss wants me to float the specialty areas, which I think is great. She said the only area I might have some difficulty in is OB. So I got on this in house web site for classes that are offered (to hospital and clinic employees) and I saw a class called Basic Fetal Monitoring. Well when I proceeded to read it, it said for RN's who work in the clinic or hospital environment. Nothing about LPN's. So I called the person in charge and asked if I could take it. She proceeded to tell me that "yes" I could but it's meant for RN's because LPN's aren't aloud to read them. I didn't ask about the details of what I can and can't do, I just asked if I could take the class. So as a LPN, I'm not considered as smart as a RN, but when I try and get more knowledge even in my own facility, I get basically rejected. The more I'm in the health care field the more I'm convinced I will not get my RN. I don't even know if I'll remain a LPN. This hierarchy stuff is for the birds and I've only been a LPN for less than a year and I'm already sick of fighting city hall. I know not all RN's have a negative attitude towards LPN's, but I know if I want to put into that category of not liking someone because of their title. I'm grateful for the housekeeper that cleans, the secretary's who make appts. and the RN's who are nice enough to mentor me, etc. As the saying goes "Why can't we all just get along?"