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

Nurses General Nursing

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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?

I just find this fascinating. I was an LPN for years.... just got my BSN... I did it for personal satisfaction and I don't really see a problem w/ any NURSE... be it an lpn or rn... as long as she/he knows her stuff... As far as a clinical disagreement, ... It is my liscense, not her's/his... I would call the attending MD and let him/her decide the course of care for his/her pt. I worked too long and too hard to get where I am . I am so done w/ this lpn/rn debate that rears it's ugly little head. I take into consideration the person, their skills, judgement.... I don't really care if they are degreed....

It is kind of like my opinion about dogs.... an AKC dog is fabulous....and so is a mutt.... both loveable....both can have fleas....

now....I couldn't give a rat's tushy..... I am a nurse and ohhhh, if it is a legal issue that is really at issue then perhaps everyone should get out the BON book and check out your scope of practice as it applies to yuor state.... love to all nurses.....

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I have been a LPN for 30 years and held positions of ADON, Staff Development, Clinical Nurse Manager and Nurse Care Manager.

Yes I have supervised RN'S. BUT, a clinical decision made by an RN cannot be overidden by a clinical decision made by an LPN. I was in the position to hire, staff, schedule, disclpine(under the direction of my DON) and terminate. I have educated many RNs new out of school with their appreciation. I think the position referred to probably follows similar guidelines. Legally I do not think an LPN can supervise RNS clinically.

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Specializes in LTC, Pediatrics.

I think you are confusing supervising administratively with supervising medical procedures.

The hospital administrator is the 'supervisor', yet he is not a nurse. And if you were the Director of Nursing, with your MSN, you would report to someone who is not a nurse at all, but got his MBA from Yahoo U.

And guess what, at the end of the day you all work under your own license.. LPNs and RNs... and you are responsible for your own actions under whatever nursing practice standard you are held under. You wouldn't want the hospital administrator to start an IV either, after all ;)

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I am not confused in regard to anyones "role" in any health care setting. After 30 years it would be kind of hard to be confused. After a Clinical Director of several facilities in the company I worked for was an occupational therapist! I have no patience with the RN/LPN fight I see here. I for one never met with this constant I am better than you attitude, iI did no one had the nerve to approach me with it. I have an excellent background in any nursing area I have worked in simply because I strive to be the best. Knowledge is aquired by the individual regardless of their title. Education is earned by hard work as a knowledge base to expand upon.

Be the best nurse you can be and let the rest sort itself out.:nono:

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Specializes in Geriatrics, acute hospital care, rehab.
Does this nurse do a good job as a supervisor? Are her clinical skills sharp? Does she have good leadership/management skills? Does she have many years of experience? There must be some reason she was put into that position. Over the years some of the best nurses I have ever worked with were LPN's.

Who says she, is she?

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Specializes in Med/surg,orthopedics,emergency room,.

It Shouldn't really matter. I am an LPN, AND have a bachelors degree. I choose NOT to have my RN because I am already a great nurse. Why is there always an issue between RNs and LPNs???? This always gets so old. One always thinks one is better than the other. Come on, we all share the term, "Nurse". and yes, some LPNs aren't all that- but neither are some RNs. Give it a rest already.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, acute hospital care, rehab.
I have a similar story. I worked in an ICU (as a CNA) and could not figure out why the majority of the RN's talked poorly about the nurse manager. Basically it seemed like none of them had any respect for her. One day I finally asked why the nurses seemed to dislike her so much. I was told it was b/c she wasn't even a nurse...she was a Respiratory Tech!

I have no idea how that situation ever came about as the Nurse Manager (RT) was the one who hired me, but being just a CNA I wondered how that could have been legeal. She was finally replaced with an RN,BSN, I beleive she went back to working as an RT.

I work on an Acute Rehab Unit. We have a nurse manager. She is an RN, BSN, CCRN, CPAN blah blah blah. Her boss, who is the director of the unit, has no nursing background what so ever....her background is PT. Must be the wave of the future.

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It Shouldn't really matter. I am an LPN, AND have a bachelors degree. I choose NOT to have my RN because I am already a great nurse. Why is there always an issue between RNs and LPNs???? This always gets so old. One always thinks one is better than the other. Come on, we all share the term, "Nurse". and yes, some LPNs aren't all that- but neither are some RNs. Give it a rest already.

I suppose that will never happen.:monkeydance:

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I work on an Acute Rehab Unit. We have a nurse manager. She is an RN, BSN, CCRN, CPAN blah blah blah. Her boss, who is the director of the unit, has no nursing background what so ever....her background is PT. Must be the wave of the future.

Possibly!! I had a PT that was one of the the best.

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I don't think LPNs should ever supervise, they should go to school and become an RN

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
I don't think LPNs should ever supervise, they should go to school and become an RN
I think you should seriously consider returning to school to learn how to compose gramatically correct sentences. :)
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I don't think LPNs should ever supervise, they should go to school and become an RN

Everyone has a right to their opinion. Personally I know my capabilities. Along with the extremely intelligent, well educated, people that promoted me to the positions/titles I have held.:wink2:

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