Do Lpns's really get treated badly?

[nrl04]

I have been thinking of starting the local community college and becoming a Lpn and then obtaining my Rn degree while I am working as a Lpn, just to have some experience and to make it easier for me in school. The only concern I have is people keep saying that the Rn's treat the Lpn's like they are sooooo beneath them and thay are rarely nice at all. I, also hear that most hospitals are not hiring Lpn's anymore and when they do, the pay is very low. All of this concerns me because I eventually want to be an Rn in pediatrics or labor & delivery. I just wanted some experience first since I will be totaly new to the hospital enviroment. I have done social services for seven years. Can someone please shed some insight for me?

[OLD&GOLD]

Dear Concerned,

There are primadonnas in every field. I currently work with an R.N. supervisor that thinks L.V.N. S are not real nurses. If you do your :twocents:job correctly and treat others with respect it will reflect well upon you. I trained my last supervisor on inserting peg tubes in old sites. She had never done this even in the hospital. She in turn trained me in some new procedures. If you show a willingness to further your knowledge, R.N.S pick up on it and appreciate it. Of course, there are always those that are insecure of themselves and find a need to belittle others so they may feel

better.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Dear Concerned,

There are primadonnas in every field. I currently work with an R.N. supervisor that thinks L.V.N. S are not real nurses. If you do your :twocents:job correctly and treat others with respect it will reflect well upon you. I trained my last supervisor on inserting peg tubes in old sites. She had never done this even in the hospital. She in turn trained me in some new procedures. If you show a willingness to further your knowledge, R.N.S pick up on it and appreciate it. Of course, there are always those that are insecure of themselves and find a need to belittle others so they may feel

better.

I have discovered this as well. The RNs working with me in our clinic have been nothing less than supportive of me. They see that I have an interest to learn, am humble and bring a great deal to the table. Just today, at the end of the day (as usual), a new patient came to the clinic. They require intensive screening, and many have to get several vaccines. The RN came to see how I was doing, saw that I needed help and she told me to do the screenings, and she would administer the vaccines and document them. She could have left me alone...but, because of the mutual respect we have for each other, she helps me every chance I need, even before I ask.

It also helps to be humble. Watch what the seasoned nurses do, because they will show you the (safe) shortcuts, how to manage, how to think and do. Do not challenge them unless you KNOW what you are talking about. You will see that real world nursing is not the same as textbook nursing. You have to know how to survive and keep your license intact. This means to continue to read, interact and ask questions. This is why I find this site to be a god-send. I get to see how others react to things, get verifiable resources and have been a better nurse because I continue to reach out.

[BUTTERFLY63]

I have been an LVN for 8 years and I am getting my RN through Excelsior College. I I am done with classes and waiting on my clinical date. The RN is just a title. What matters is knowledge. I have worked with RN'S that don't have a clue. It all comes down to knowledge and experience. Hell I precept RNs to work on my unit.

You do get the occasional bully nurse. It doesn't matter if their an RN or LVN they just like to try to intimidate new grads or new nurses. Which I think they do it because they feel threatened.

In my experience it is the unfairness of the pay. I work on a med-surg unit and the RNs got 2 raises this year and LVNs didn't get a raise at all. We do the same work and are held just as accountable. If I was you I would go right for my RN.

Good luck!

[OLD&GOLD]

Butterfly,

I applaud your decision to get your R.N. by the former Regents program. When you get there just remember your comrades at the L.V.N. level. Maybe you can be an example to the others that suffer the "I am a real nurse" syndrome. After last night at work ,I am thinking of getting my R.N.

My CNAS were busy with a combative patient and I was ordering meds online in Medroom. A new supervisor watched a patient walk out the door and then came to tell me she had fell. I went outside and assessed her,got her up and then brought her in. No assist from the supervisor, only a passing make sure you do a report. Truthfully,most of the R.N.s here are great about helping and do watch for problems while we are so busy. Lord, I did have to look to see if it was a full moon.