LVN's and RN's and Doctor's

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in LTC.

I am trying to understand a couple of things. Let me say first- if you are a RN please dont eat me. I am only asking because I truly want to know an honest answer. I am not trying to start a war....

I was overhearing a conversation the other day. A doctor told an RN something about a "play nurse" and the RN just laughed and laughed. When I asked another about what was meant I was told that RN's and doctors basically veiw a LVN/LPN as play nurses. Why would they see us in this light? I understand that RN's take a HECK of a lot of responsibility on their shoulders. Having 1-5 or even 10 or more LVN's that could make you loose a lifetime of hard work in one push of a syringe is a little stressfull.

BUT, we work hard too. We do grunt work (which I LOVE and probably will be the thing that will keep me from RN) and we have a lisence that can be taken away too that we have worked REALLY hard for.

So my question is, why is there such turmoil between LVN, RN, and doctor?? :argue:

Remember, this is an honest to goodness question. Please do not bash me:heartbeat

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It's not like that everywhere.

I think all nurses & doctors can play very important rolls to eachother.

Unfortunately, like any other industry you are going to run into those that either got into the the profession for the wrong reasons or just enjoy treating other people badly to feel better about themselves.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

No matter what you do, what degree you get, there will always be those that have a higher degree that look down on you. The MDs and RN look down on LPNs, LPNs look down on CNAs, BSNs look down on ADNs, Specialist MDs look down on general practitioners, etc. Another example is how hospital nurses tend to look down on LTC nurses. My opinion is that we ALL bring something to the table and it takes us ALL to care for our patients. We all have a particular set of skills and knowledge that increase our patients' health. Don't let them get you down, as YOU know that YOU are the best NURSE you can be.

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Yep I know what u mean...there was a doc who always said only the rn could call him. well waiting for the rn i had to call was waiting for the sky to turn green. I always called him as an lvn. Didn't even know i wasn't supposed to till yrs later. Im not sure why some people are like. it would be nice to have an even ground. you have some that designate a seat for the rn and say "whatever you need me to do" and then others are "why can't you do you don't do anything anyway or you make more money why don't you do it" people just need to grow up and have mutual respect. When i was in the hospital most of the lvns i couldn't do my job without them thouroughly and confidently doing theres.

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Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

I am sorry that you were disrespected that way. You didn't deserve that. It was mean.

Just think, what comes around will go around.....

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The RN in question sounds like an immature catty teenager. I wouldn't even pay people like that attention, they obviously have some sort of self esteem issues.

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Specializes in Emergency, CCU, SNF.

When I was an aide, I got called "professional ass-wiper", when I became an LPN, I got called the "low paid nurse". It sucked and people can be idiots, don't let it get to you. I like being a floor nurse, like you, I like the grunt work too.

Not everyone is like that, and the one that counts most is the patient, many times they couldn't even tell you if the one that took care of them was an LPN or RN.

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So my question is, why is there such turmoil between LVN, RN, and doctor?? :argue:

because as others have basically stated, there will always be petty, superficial, insecure, pretentious folks out there...

and instead of feeling good about themselves from the inside out, they acquire degrees and prestige to feel superior.

bottom line: they are the ones with the problems.

not you.

smile, and keep your head up.

because they really are pitiful.

leslie

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Specializes in LTC.

Wow, I see now that what I heard was an exception to the rule. Thanks:)

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Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.

It's ignorance, plain and simple. While LPNs have a lower level of training than RNs, in many of the places I have worked they have the same responsibilities, with a few exceptions (one place I worked would not let LPNs touch an IV, whether they were IV certified or not).

Some of the best nurses I have worked with have been LPNs. I was paired with an LPN during my last rotation in nursing school (oncology unit). She was a veteran nurse with 30 years in the field who had seen and done it all, and she shared a lot of her knowledge with me. I had a much better experience as a result.

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No matter what you do, what degree you get, there will always be those that have a higher degree that look down on you. The MDs and RN look down on LPNs, LPNs look down on CNAs, BSNs look down on ADNs, Specialist MDs look down on general practitioners, etc. Another example is how hospital nurses tend to look down on LTC nurses. My opinion is that we ALL bring something to the table and it takes us ALL to care for our patients. We all have a particular set of skills and knowledge that increase our patients' health. Don't let them get you down, as YOU know that YOU are the best NURSE you can be.

Haha and movie stars look down on MDs:yeah:

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LPNs are licensed nurses and most RNs respect them as such. Don't let a few bad apples ruin your day.

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