Different colored scrubs for RNs and LVNs?

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Apr 19, 2005

(trying to start a new thread... how did this happen? LOL)

allnurses Guide · Apr 19, 2005

Hi Chris - :)

Well, I'm no help - we can wear whatever style and color we want except black. So, none of us dress alike.

As to LVN's, I work with some great ones. Real teamplayers. And our CNA's are the same.

steph

LPN1974, LPN · Apr 19, 2005

I've found that I cannot get the LVN's to do what I ask, and get a lot of lip back. I'm sure it's not just about the uniform color, but I don't think it helps that they don't wear something different.
Thoughts? Ideas? Experiences?

What do you mean you can't them to do what you ask?

Wear the color scrubs you want or do patient care things?

You term of "lip back" seems like you might think you're talking to a child.

How is your attitude to start with?

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Apr 19, 2005

What do you mean you can't them to do what you ask?
Wear the color scrubs you want or do patient care things?
You term of "lip back" seems like you might think you're talking to a child.
How is your attitude to start with?

No, I'm not the one deciding who should wear what color scrubs, that's for administration.

As an RN, I am responsible for delegating tasks which LVN's and techs are to do. It's part of my responsibility. Delegating and accepting assignments are part of nursing and patient care, and when they are not managed properly, patient safety can be compromised. Since the LVN always functions as the med nurse when she works, and meds can be dangerous if omitted or doubled, I'm sure you can see my point and concern.

When I attempt to delegate a patient care task to the LVN, I often get "I'm too busy" or the occasional "no." I ask nicely and with respect. I care about my coworkers and I do not expect to be responded to rudely, so it is always a surprise.

Case in point: Several meds were d'c'd. The LVN was the med nurse on the previous shift. She lined through the note and wrote (not at all clearly--it looked a lot like her initials, actually) "DC'd." I nearly gave the med because the entry had not been yellowed out.

The next day, I just asked her if she would please yellow out the d'c'd med orders in the MAR. She said "if I have time." She has time to sit around once her meds are given, she is on the phone a lot.

I don't think I was asking too much, and yes, I think that was "lip."

Sorry you were offended, but I can't really imagine why--unless there might be a little hidden resentment there, but this is really about the color of uniforms being different for RN's and LVN's, not about whether someone else thinks I have an attitude, OK?

Thanks for your response.

LPN1974, LPN · Apr 19, 2005

And thank you in advance for giving a clearer explanation.

No one can give any thoughts or ideas on the problem you're having without a clear explanation, and you did place 2 lines of thought in the first thread.

I was trying to understand just where you were coming from or expected to go.

As far as the dc policy on the med sheets go, we do the same thing on ours.

They are written out to the side as DC'd, and supposed to be yellowed out.

However, they might not always get yellowed out. But if it did have DC on it....I'm sure

MY supervisor would count it as an error on me, not the one who DC'd it. Thank goodness you didn't give it. Why was the med not removed from the cart also, if it was DC'd?? That's my pet peeve, if something is DC'd, PLEASE remove it.

And if she has plenty of time to be on the phone, yes she has time to yellow something out.

Just my thoughts. And no I hold no resentment to RNs.

If my RN tells me to do something I do it, provided it is RIGHT. She's the supervisor, however, I still have a responsibility to make sure what I do is right for the people I take care of.

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Apr 19, 2005

As far as the dc policy on the med sheets go, we do the same thing on ours. They are written out to the side as DC'd, and supposed to be yellowed out.
However, they might not always get yellowed out. But if it did have DC on it....I'm sure MY supervisor would count it as an error on me, not the one who DC'd it. Thank goodness you didn't give it. Why was the med not removed from the cart also, if it was DC'd?? That's my pet peeve, if something is DC'd, PLEASE remove it.
And if she has plenty of time to be on the phone, yes she has time to yellow something out.

Glad we got that taken care of--I don't hold any resentments to LVN's either.

We don't have carts, we have pyxises, and none of them will ever have all the meds you need. Even if the patient has been there for several days and the med is not an unusual one.

Anyway, I've learned to just roll with the punches and not expect too much. I do my best, and work very hard. When I leave my unit, my work is complete and as right as I can make it.

Can't ask for a whole lot more than that.

And you are right--I got myself off track with the delegation issue, but I meant for it to be part of the "maybe we should have different colored uniforms so there is a clear delineation" point. Any other hospital I've worked at (at least since everybody quit wearing white and little caps), the LVN and RN uniforms were different.

Thanks for your feedback. I appreciate you!

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Apr 19, 2005

Here we go, this is going to turn into another RN vs LVN thread.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Apr 19, 2005

You can't weat black..WOW , that is all I wear.. Black scrubs everyday. I dont worship the devil or anything ,it is just my favorite color.:)

Hi Chris - :)
Well, I'm no help - we can wear whatever style and color we want except black. So, none of us dress alike.
As to LVN's, I work with some great ones. Real teamplayers. And our CNA's are the same.
steph

LPN1974, LPN · Apr 19, 2005

Here we go, this is going to turn into another RN vs LVN thread.

No, it is NOT going to be turned into another LPN vs RN thread. We're not going there with that.

The MISUNDERSTANDING has been taken care of.

Now for the scurbs color...only thing I can think of is maybe they are just trying to separate ALL NURSES....{hmm no pun intended...lol}

from all OTHER staff. Ya think?

crystalclear · Aug 20, 2005

Our hospital recently went to mandatory color coded scrubs.
LVN's and RN's wear the same color.
I've never seen this before. I thought the color designation was to help reinforce the differences in scope of practice--after all, techs are part of nursing service, why don't they just wear the same color we do? LOL
It may be because we have LVN's in supervisory positions, like staffing coordinator.
I've found that I cannot get the LVN's to do what I ask, and get a lot of lip back. I'm sure it's not just about the uniform color, but I don't think it helps that they don't wear something different.
Thoughts? Ideas? Experiences?

Hi,

I don't think the color of the scrubs really matter...help means help be it CNA, LPN or RN:rolleyes: If someone is going to be a butthole I don't think the scrubs color is going to help or hurt the situation.

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Aug 22, 2005

I really have to commend Chris_at_lucus_RN and LPN1974 for saving this thread. You both were outstanding in recognizing the misunderstanding between the two of you, resolved it and moved on back to the original topic. Nothing is worse that seeing two nurses arguing turf and pulling out the gloves. You are to be commended for being excellent examples to your online peers.

Thank You!!!!

However, this topic does not focus on Psych Nursing which it was originally posted. So in the spirit of quality, the thread is being moved to the General Nursing Discussion forum.

Wolfy