Feeling discouraged

pagandeva2000, LPN · Nov 19, 2007

Hello! I'm new to the forum. I'm praying to begin the LPN program in August; my advisor says I should have a pretty good chance. I currently work at a hospital, and I see that the LPNs are treated like crap. I felt so good about going for LPN and later continuing to become an RN, but now I feel so discouraged. What do you love about practical nursing?

I enjoy the hands on experience of patient care, reading updates on medications and treatments, and patient teaching without dealing with the monotomous paperwork and additional responsibilities of the RNs. I like reading the charts and being able to comprehend what is going on, as well as (again) being able to explain it to someone else. I like the fact that I have, in fact, gained the respect from the medical team, meaning RNs, other LPNs, CNAs and physicians.

I love NOT being an RN. I like working with good ones and respect their profession, but it really doesn't fit into my personal philosophy of nursing because of too much politics, relentless, stupid paperwork that takes time away from the patients and being responsible for people (LPNs, CNA, Patient Techs...) that may make an error and somehow, I have to deal with it. I've tried to picture myself as an RN, and I just can't do it...I would not be happier with anything about it, but the money:lol2:. I am just interested in getting MY assignment and doing it to the best of my ability. Not worry if the entire floor did what I said to do...or else. I know that LPNs in LTC take on charge positions, and have to deal with these issues. Personally, the day they hand me the charge position would be the last day I'd work at any place. Not worth the headache to me.

Yes, there is a pecking order in nursing, that is for sure. But, when I looked closely, I saw that in many cases (not all, though), those RNs are being picked on and treated like crap as well. And, it becomes like a domino effect, being passed on. Whatever you choose to do, become a valuable team member. Believe it or not, I have not received that treatment very often, and the few times I did, I addressed it quickly. Most have apologized to me for being so thoughtless and rude, especially when they see that I came to work and contribute. I also don't really care if they do try and disinclude me on things; it means that I don't get their headaches, make their decisions or have their stress.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Nov 19, 2007

I currently work at a hospital, and I see that the LPNs are treated like crap.

If you read the numerous threads on the other forums, you'll soon realize that the RNs are also treated poorly in the hospital setting, which frequently results in much frustration, bitterness, burnout, and outrageous employee turnover rates. The major difference is the fact that the RN receives more monetary compensation for their crappy treatment than the typical LPN ever will.

scotscarol · Nov 19, 2007

I work in a small neighborhood hospital on a Med-Surg floor. I also make rounds with one of our hospitalist. We have a lot of LPN's on our floors and everyone is basically treated the same. We are fortunate to have a great admin and staff that works well together. I work for a great MD who has no qualms about my LPN status.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Nov 19, 2007

You will see as you start working that doctors, administrators to housekeepers are treated like crap; it just seems that the lower ones on the totem pole are asked to perform the impossible to appease these people. You have to see how you feel as you work. Sometimes, a certain floor of people work around the insanity and take the time to make new workers and the lower ones feel appreciated.

I was on many committees at my job before I became an LPN, and I noticed that it was all politics. The only ones that benefited from these committees were the people on them, because they were manipulated like puppets. Staff and patients on a whole never benefited from these outrageous meetings, and when I got back from school, I stayed away from them like the plague.

I had a conversation with an RN who told me that one of the LPNs that got hired with me was going back to school and asked me if I were doing the same thing. I said "No" because I didn't see how it was going to get any better except for fiancially. Then, this RN began to tell me how she felt disrespected, and this is a BSN nurse. She told me that she still works other jobs because her cost of living increased, and for her, the money was still not worth the aggreviation. To each his own. I think that if you wish to become an RN, and an opportunity is available for you to enter into an RN program now, do it and get it overwith. I don't regret my decision to remain an LPN, but that is a personal choice. I support anyone that chases their dream. And, what you may have witnessed may not have been the norm everywhere. You don't really know what happens behind the scenes...maybe some of those LPNs did things that caused them to be treated like crap. I don't know these people, so, I can't defend or be against them. But, I found as I became an LPN that some of the nurses I thought I admired were actually worse than what I felt before I knew the dynamics of their work ethics.

jelorde37 · Nov 20, 2007

dude, dont feel discouraged. theres a hierarchy in nursing, and in a way, you have to earn your place in it. based on my experience, i was a 19 year old new grad and my co workers thought that i was a baby and that i wouldnt know what to do. i was continuously trying to be eaten by the older nurses and my supervisors never really helped me. but time passed by, and i caught a lot of things that the older nurses and rns mislooked, then i finally got respect. in a way, you have to earn your respect. and the thing i love the most about being an lpn is taking on new challenges, new patients with disorders youve never dealt with before. in a way, i love the learning aspect of nursing and the feeling you get after your shift, knowing that you gave the best nursing care that you can. i dont know if other people would agree with me but thats just my oppinion.

oh yeah, theres good lvns and rns and bad lvns and rns, which one will you be?

Jules A, MSN · Nov 21, 2007

Try not to let it ruin your enthusiasm as there are many people that will value you for being an excellent LPN. I think it is disgraceful and I feel sorry for the people who are nasty to others based on their job level. Treating all hard working people with respect really shouldn't be difficult, sheesh.

Now that I'm in RN school I take great pleasure in adding my two cents when I hear an LPN comment. Interesting that 1/2 our class is failing as of our mid-term report but every one of the 5 LPNs in the class are passing. I take great pride in that!

:lol2: