LPNs are important. How can the RNs help in this terrible situation?

[mother/babyRN]

ok, this may not touch others as it has touched me, especially you newer nurses who are often taught not to value the importance of the lpn staff but our lpns are being railroaded and harrassed by ill informed managers who have no idea of either their value or experience. we are unionized as rns and these people are not only nurses working alongside us, they are valuable sources of knowledge, skill and our dear friends. they have been told as they have no union, anything can be done to them at the managers whim. one just called me in tears with the latest fiasco and harrassment issue. we have agreed to become lpn advocates , but there is only so much we can do. too bad the current thinking is so sidetracked and wrong when it comes to lpn vs rn. i know some lpns who can run circles around the rns i work with. that said, i still have to figure out a way to support and advise the lpns who are getting really the bad end of the stick. definitely a hostile work environment for them from our powers that be, few of which have ever been bedside nurses and don't know what end is up over their health care or business degrees. masters of what i ask..thanks for letting me vent....

[Q.]

Originally posted by mother/babyRN

I aggree with your point about LPNs organizing themselves, however, it is difficult since they are not allowed to be in nursing unions, generally, and are not considered to be "nurses" by our own nursing association.

Again, this can be compared to nursing in general. Many people consider us handmaidens, no more, no less. It is up to NURSING to improve it's own image. As with LPNs, they can form their own union or own leadership organization, and promote their image and change things around.

Until nursing as a whole and RNs and LPNs take responsibility for themselves, things will never change.

[mother/babyRN, RN]

Absolutely the truest point....