Brand new RN, 2 weeks into job, made charge nurse....difficult staff!!!!

Specialties Management

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So, I am almost two weeks into a new job I started as an RN at a drug rehabilitation. I am still picking up on things here and there on how things are done, protocols, etc, which makes things a bit more difficult. I am on overnights with two LPN's, which makes me the charge nurse. I think there is a power struggle between myself and the LPN's! As my job entails, I have been asking them to let me know when they are finished with their work, and I will check afterwards to make sure it is all finished. The problem is, one LPN I work with will straight out lie to me about what work was done. Care plans on newly admitted clients must be done the night of......I was called out by my supervisor because the LPN lied to me about finishing his care plans, and I made the mistake of believing him the night before when he told me he was finished!!! So last night, I literally checked everything he did, and he lied to me several times about being finished with work when he was not. When I brought it up to him, he replied with hostility. He said, "Don't you ever question my ability as a nurse again!!" And stormed away. I told my director of nursing, and she said she'd talk to him.....but I don't see the situation improving. What makes things worse, is sometimes I have to ask him for help on situations since I am new and don't know how to do every little thing yet......Whenever I have a question, he makes disrespectful comments like, "WOW,you don't know that? I should be charge nurse!!!!"

I don't know how not to let this get to me. Has anyone experienced anything like this?

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It is the experience vs degree/license thing. I would flat tell him he is more than welcome to go for his ADN or BSN. I like LPNs, I know some awesome LPNs, but they have to realize any person with an RN license will be over them, including a new grad. There is a hierarchy, if they have a problem with the hierarchy, they can complain to their Board of Nursing.

You can explain that you value their experience and welcome input from them.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Why is initial care plan given to LPN? BoN in most states permit LPN to assist in data collection but actual care plan development is an RN responsibility.

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That is a very good point, I don't believe LPN's are supposed to start care plans. However, in the facility I work at, they do! :-(

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And yes, this man is going for his ASN currently. I am being put on the schedule with him a lot, and every day I have to work with him is a struggle and a half. Thank god tonight I'm working with a nurse that will actually explain things to me...there have been literally times where I have asked him a question on protocols and how things are done at the rehab, and he has walked right out of the room!!!

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You're charge nurse with just two weeks training? Really? That's kind of scary.

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I agree completely! That isn't normal, is it???

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

You are really in a difficult position. Is there any chance of repairing your work relationship with the LPN? Maybe just sit down and have a frank discussion in which you acknowledge his expertise and let him know how much you value his input. At the same time, you can share your concerns - being held accountable (by virtue of your job title/description) means you must make sure that these things are done. You could attempt to establish better working boundaries. Let him know your 'deal breakers' and ask him about his. You may be inadvertently doing things that he perceives as disrespectful. Managing conflict is a hard skill to master. This is a good opportunity to begin that process.

FYI, some states (mine included) bar new grads from assuming 'charge' roles for their first year. You may want to clarify your BoN's position on this issue.

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Not a bad idea! I'm currently in the process of creating peace between myself and the LPN...not an easy feat!

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Specializes in Ortho/Spine, Telemetry, SNF/Rehab.

I am in the EXACT same boat as you right now. Two weeks at my first nursing job, oriented for 5 days then thrown on my own on a completely different unit with residents I don't know, and asked to work a night shift (that I haven't even oriented on yet) as charge. I said no, because I was having a hard enough time on my own on day shift that I had that whopping 5 days of orientation on as a brand spankin new nurse, let alone accepting the offer of charge nurse on a shift I've never even worked yet. What is it with these facilities? I am feeling like an utter failure, but I know it's because I'm not getting the training I am supposed to be getting. The nurses are great, but I can't keep pulling them away from their patients to help me, even though that's what management wants me to do while I'm on my own with 16+ patients all to myself...rather than having me work with a preceptor. I am losing my mind!

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I'm sorry, that sounds terrible! At least I had gotten a better orientation than that! I don't understand why these places do this to new nurses. Logic tells you than anyone would need a better orientation than that, let alone new nurses. One of my fellow new nurses has a panic attack before work....

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Specializes in Nephrology.

First honesty assess if you might be doing something that brought on this personnel issue. If you can reason with him and improve his work great. If he insist on a power struggle then...

Ask your manager what the formal write up (corrective action, what ever they call it) policy is then follow it next time he incorrectly states his work is done. I have found sometimes in a power struggle you should just win it then move from there.

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