LPN'S Supervising RNs'? How would you feel?

[cowgirl4u]

I would like to start out by saying that I do respect LPN's and I am in favor of advancing in everyones careers. I am an RN on a PCU. Our hosp changed the "directors" title to Clinical Care Coordinator. Now, our floor with mostly RN's are under the direction of a LPN whom reports to the director of acute care/pcu. Let me explain further, we had seperate directors at one time, but now have one director. We are in the basement of the hospital and our director in upstairs on the acute floor. However, our newly hired clinical care coordinator is in an office with us downstairs. I am having a very difficult time in falling under this type of leadership umbrella. I also think its a dif positon for the LPN to be in too. Any thoughts?

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

In my current job I am the supervisor over the CMA's and I am embassed to even have that title on my badge- maybe I am old school- to me a supervisor is a RN.

My name badge reads "LVN Nurse Supervisor". I feel no shame or embarassment for wearing that badge.

[twotrees2]

I know of at least one school that is. I've never seen so many arrogant, naive, self-entitled, prissy people in life as i have coming from one particular school. I've overheard their clinical instructor say "Concentrate on paperwork. That's what BSN nurses do, non BSN nurses are the floor nurses, you're their superiors, you hold the higher degree." And the students act as such. And i can only imagine what kind of reality check these people will get when the come to the real world, thinking that their 'floor nursing' job' is nothing but paperwork.

I'm sure it's not an isolated attitude. There's probably more out there just like it.

they can have their dang papaerwork - except their papaerwork is only making US more paperwpork - i understand the need to document all important things but some do go obverboard and we end up documenting way more than we need to.

[Jo Dirt]

While I don't use my RN title to lord over LPN's I would have to know how it was determined the LPN was qualified to supervise me.

[annmariern]

Two words. Hell no

[Haunted]

I got one! Worked a psych unit of a hospital chain, they were losing staffers like a fart in a windstorm, finally talked this little guy, Psych Tech, into being charge nurse for a while. It was inevitable that he would a: burst into tears and profanity and b: lock himself into the nurses station while barking orders over the intercom when things got hectic.

Well, things always got hectic, these were frequent fliers who needed crisis stabilization, take downs, etc. and the floor nurses and techs where pretty much on our own watching each ther's backs. Did we take orders from Little Hitler? No. Did we respect him? No. Did we do our jobs and keep everyone, including that sniveling spineless wimp safe? Yes. We had a Unit Director who would make an appearance q shift and pretty much update the charts and prepare for shift report.

[hogan4736, BSN, RN]

Two words. Hell no

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

Some of the posters on here seem really surprised and offended that this kind of thing occurs. Even though this is not a hospital thing it is a everyday thing in LTC. To me it does not matter if it is a LVN or RN that is my supervisor but I expect that person to know that job in and out and be able to run things smoothly. All of my superviors have been LVN's (except for the DON) and these are nurses that have worked in the facility and know the floors , the procedures and policies. I would much rather have a experienced LVN than a new or inexperienced RN for a supervior anyday. To me this is all about letters behind the name and not about who can carry out the job duties.

[Alexsys]

I know of at least one school that is. I've never seen so many arrogant, naive, self-entitled, prissy people in life as i have coming from one particular school. I've overheard their clinical instructor say "Concentrate on paperwork. That's what BSN nurses do, non BSN nurses are the floor nurses, you're their superiors, you hold the higher degree." And the students act as such. And i can only imagine what kind of reality check these people will get when the come to the real world, thinking that their 'floor nursing' job' is nothing but paperwork.

I'm sure it's not an isolated attitude. There's probably more out there just like it.

Hmm, not entirely true. When I went to ADN school respecting the nurse that you work with, (LPN/LVN's too) was enforced. I was paired up with an LPN and I actually enjoyed that clinical experience and I learned alot in that one day than I did the entire semester and she made it fun. I am now in a BSN crossover program and honestly, I HATE paperwork, but if I ever want to be a CRNA someday, I have to make a pit stop at my BSN first. I already have 6 years of crit care, but that one day I spent with that LPN was one I will never forget

[Alexsys]

Sorry..double post...

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

Hmm, not entirely true.

I was speaking about that particular school only, not all of them.

[Sandi0302]

Yes, education is important - up to a point. After that, experience takes over. I don't care as much about the # of letters after a name as I do about a nurse's proficiency in what they are doing.

I agree. I am an LPN and work in an assisted living facility. I was in one situation with two RN SUPERVISORS who are very experienced (20-30 yrs each and i respect them both) where we were required to do CPR. I was an aide in an ER for four yrs. I was ready to go, they both looked like they were scared to death and hesitated to get going.

When i was only an aid in the ER, I was bringing a pt back from triage once and questioned where the pt was being put (critical side vs non). I brought it up to the Dr...he agreed with me. The nurse was worng. Everyone is human, yes, but nursing is also about guts, instinct and talent also, not just book smarts. No matter what title you have, it doesnt mean you are better/not better than someone else.

[Alexsys]

I'm sure it's not an isolated attitude. There's probably more out there just like it.

Oh, sorry. This sentence threw me off a bit..