LPN Supervisor Over RNs.???

Nurses General Nursing

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I was recently offered a job where as an RN, I will have to report to an LPN. She will be my supervisor, but they are expecting me to sign off on documents that she can't because of her position. I find this very strange and I am not feeling comfortable enough to accept the position. It seems this company is having a LOT of trouble retaining an RN in the position. A few staff members have hinted to me that the LPN likes to gloat and brag that she is the SUPERVISOR, and RNs work under her. In addition she is paid more money; howbeit she has been with the company almost 20 years. I have not committed to accepting the position, I told them that I will let them know by Friday. They tried to pressure me to accept by telling me that they would continue to interview " qualified candidates" and I really needed to let them know ASAP. The HR person confided that they had no other candidates as most RNs refuse immediately when they find out that an LPN would be their supervisor. What do you all think of this situation? Would you be willing to work as an RN under these circumstances. I'm leaning towards rejecting the offer, but I think that would be a "proud" spirit, which is not good. I'm confused, any advice would be appreciated.

Specializes in Trauma, ICU, CCU.
i don't think it's a matter of bruised ego of being a RN working under a LPN. It's a case of the "scope of practice of a LPN vs a RN" . LPN's are nurses , but the scope of practice in each state is diferent and I know in my state a RN cannot be supervised by LPN. The state board of nursing sets the rules that a RN can only supervise , . this should n't be a RN vs LPN issue.. check the scope of practice for your state at the BON... take care

I totally agree...it's a dangerous situation when you're signing off on someone else's work. I'd definitely say no...you're not there just to go and sign papers. I have nothing against LPN's as supervisors...but when I have had an LPN as a supervisor...the NM always signed off on anythign that needed to...as in the LPN's supervisor should sign off...no you. I wouldn't do it just because of the fact that if you haven't accepted the job and have reservations about it...go with your gut feeling. Don't do it. And honestly, I'm just a CNA, but I've heard HORROR stories about being accountable for supervisor's mistakes. This is your career...take care of it!

Specializes in A little of this & a little of that.

I have worked as a supervisor as an LPN in Massachsietts LTC. The Mass BON has a guideline for this situation when there are RN's working. At no time can an LPN supervise an RN's practice. But, in LTC, the supervisry tasks mainly involve work assignments, handling call outs and other staffing issues, dealing with problems with the building (leaky pipes and such) and making sure paperwork is done. In other words, administrative supervsion. For an LPN to supervise, an RN must be immediately available by phone and that is the person legally supervising that LPN. I have, however, only been in the position of "supervising" RN's when the RN was a per diem or agency nurse who did not know the facility and staff well enough to be the obvious choice. I don't think it's appropriate to have a regular staff RN supervised in any way by an LPN.

BTW, I now live in CT where an LPN cannot work without an RN physically present (except in home care). An LPN is automatically under the supervision of the RN. This also gets a little strange in LTC where you may get a supervisor who is an agency RN and has never been in the building before and is expected to be in charge of everything. Obviously, I would help such a nurse when needed.

One of the best professional relationships that I have had was with an RN who worked full-time in a local ED and part time at the LTC facility. She wanted extra money without all that rsponsibility and crticla decision making. She had no desire to learn all the ins and outs of LTC, just wanted to come in, do her job and leave. She was more than happy to me supervise. BUT, I didn't "gloat" or "brag" and I have enough good sense to turn to her judgement if patient issues came up.

It sounds like the person you are being expected to "work under" does not respect the difference between RN and LPN which would make for a very unsafe situation for you. No wonder nobody wants to take the job. They should hire one of the RN applicants as supervisor and the problem would be solved.:twocents:

I get the feeling this thread is going to turn into an "RN vs. LPN" war, and if you search the previous threads, you will find this topic debated time and time again. And common sense can answer this question. An RN isn't going to want to be supervised by an LPN because many of them don't want a bruised ego knowing they have to answer to a NURSE, yes, nurse, who they feel is less qualified then they, although may have YEARS of experience and wisdom. To the OP, did you ask about the responsibilities of the LPN and how that relates to your position? She may be in charge of scheduling or phone calls to doctors, but chances are that your state law prohibits what she can be allowed to do in a supervisory role. Call back the facility and ask these questions before making a decision. Just my two :twocents:

This isn't about bruised egos, it's about the nurse practice act, the law, the job description. LPNs can't supervise RNs, not because they think they are better or because they had at least one more year of schooling, but because it is part of a RNs job to supervise LPNs and LPNs are allowed to delegate tasks or supervise RNs by law!:banghead:

I am an LPN and would feel uncomfortable supervising an RN. It is one thing to show or review a task, however, to actually supervise-no way. To me, this is not an LPN to RN war...it is just common sense. If I wanted to supervise and take on all of that responsibility, then, I would have become an RN in the first place. I would have told them to take that job and shove it as an LPN...as an RN, I would not even grace them with my presence. Something is fishy in Denmark...

Exactly!

I think not.

I experienced this as my first job and she had an ego problem and was totally inappropriate with the power.

Wouldn't want to deal with signing your supervisors documents on a regular basis either.

who knows?

some day, maybe adn nurses will have to answer to bsn nurses.:)leslie

In many facilities in my area it is kind of set up like this. I am an LPN and will get my RN ADN in Dec. this year. Then, I will go part time and work on my BSN. In local hospitals certain management positions require and BSN to fill them. I do agree with it to a certain extent. I love my program- it is a great one and well spoken of, however, we spent very little time focusing on management and leadership training and many BSN programs spend more time on that. So, in some places and some situations, it's already happening.

Specializes in Home Health, Geriatrics.

problem I am seeing here is the fact that many states nurse practice acts do not allow a licensed practical nurse to supervise a registered nurse.

I worked in LTC and at one time there was a licensed practical nurse who was the assistant DON. She had to give up the position, which she had worked at for over 15 years because state did not approve of her being in such a position.

Also in my state if a facility does not have a RN at least 8 hours a day, the facility can be fined by the state. There are many forms that a licensed practical nurse cannot sign off on. It's illegal and against the nurse practice act of the state.

I hate to turn anything into an us (RN) vs. them (LPN), but no way would I accept a position where an LPN is going to be my boss no matter how many years she/he has in nursing. It goes against everything I have been taught and to mention yet again...our states nurse practice act.

Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

As an LPN (RN soon), I must admit I'd be very uncomfortable supervising RNs.

Specializes in Emergency Department.

I would be uncomfortable having to sign off on documents for my supervisor, but whether or not I would be comfortable being supervised by an LPN depends on the roles assigned to each person. For example, if the supervision was more Human Resources related, like payroll and whatnot, it wouldn't bother me. I wouldn't want to have to oversee my supervisor's nursing work though.

Specializes in icu, er, transplant, case management, ps.
I get the feeling this thread is going to turn into an "RN vs. LPN" war, and if you search the previous threads, you will find this topic debated time and time again. And common sense can answer this question. An RN isn't going to want to be supervised by an LPN because many of them don't want a bruised ego knowing they have to answer to a NURSE, yes, nurse, who they feel is less qualified then they, although may have YEARS of experience and wisdom. To the OP, did you ask about the responsibilities of the LPN and how that relates to your position? She may be in charge of scheduling or phone calls to doctors, but chances are that your state law prohibits what she can be allowed to do in a supervisory role. Call back the facility and ask these questions before making a decision. Just my two :twocents:

I suggest you check the Nurse Practice Act of New York state. It is not a matter of bruised ego that RN's refuse to be supervised by LPN's, it is a matter of law, under their state's Nurse Practice Act. I have been both an LPN and am an RN. Never have I been supervised by an LPN, regardless of the position she has held. She has neither the education or the legal abilities to supervise someone who has more education then she does. As for taking orders, regardless of the facility, it is the nurse caring for the patient who seeks out the orders, not a supervisor.

Woody:twocents:

Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.
I totally agree...it's a dangerous situation when you're signing off on someone else's work. I'd definitely say no...you're not there just to go and sign papers. I have nothing against LPN's as supervisors...but when I have had an LPN as a supervisor...the NM always signed off on anythign that needed to...as in the LPN's supervisor should sign off...no you. I wouldn't do it just because of the fact that if you haven't accepted the job and have reservations about it...go with your gut feeling. Don't do it. And honestly, I'm just a CNA, but I've heard HORROR stories about being accountable for supervisor's mistakes. This is your career...take care of it!

yes i worked very hard for RN and LPN's work hard or their license , i think adhering to the scope of practice according to your state is cery important..

we have lpn as adon in many nursing homes but they really do office work, make schedules, check charts etc..not supervision in the strict sense of the word..while on floor unless the rn is being orientated thee would never be an lpn with authority over an rn

each of these nurses are responsibile for their licenses and should follow rules as set out by bons

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