I started work as a QMA, what is with the LPN's attitude?

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Nov 8, 2005

She feels like she is superior to me and that I am too "stupid" to pass meds because I don't have those 3 letter behind my name yet.

How do you know this for sure?

It got worse when I caught her pulling up 5 mg of Haldol for someone when the correct dose was 0.5 mg. Now she won't even let me in the med room with her! She has also been going around telling the RNs that I am trying to tell her how to do her job.All I was trying to do was prevent a med error. I have never been anything but kind and professional to this person. Any ideas how to get her off my back?

I really do not see in your post where she's really on your back.

And really, the RN should have confronted her (after you informed her, the RN that is) about the impending med error, chances are the RN is in a supervisory position. Otherwise, it's your word against the LPN's.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Nov 8, 2005

As for the attitude, it might have something to with your created position. With that creation, it might have taken away part of her job, and she might resent that.

Crystle_clear · Nov 8, 2005

Marie,

I know she used the term "stupid" because she unknowingly was talking to a personal friend of my mine that happens to be one of the RN's. She used it like "

That stupid girl shouldn't be allowed to pass meds, I'm the nurse here not her." My friend politly told her that she had no idea what he was talking about and that I was perfectly qualified to pass those meds and she needed to let me do my job.

As for the med error, I did report it to the RN. That is why she is so mad at me. She ended up having an incident report written up on her. It's her third in the two months she has worked there.

I don't know what she hopes to accomplish by bad mouthing me. I've worked there for several years and we are a very tight knit group. We don't tolerate gossip or talking behind others backs. I'm feel sorry for her but if he keeps this up, I'm going to have to talk to someone about having her moved to the night shift.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 8, 2005

You confront her directly first. Don't go to any supervisors because 9 times out of ten this doesn't solve the problem.

If you have been nothing but professional and are totally innocent, then confront her and ask her "to get off your back" and stop the gossip as you say.

I would expect some resistance from Licensed personnel. Some are vehemently apposed to medication aides, which is no fault of yours, just be aware of that.

I personally don't go through life thinking that people don't talk about people behind their back, and that people aren't going to talk about me behind my back. Especially when there's a "tight knit group" and one on the outs.

Interesting that you have the power to talk someone in power to move her to the night shift.

Crystle_clear · Nov 8, 2005

Interesting that you have the power to talk someone in power to move her to the night shift.

I'm not really sure what you were trying to imply with that comment but I only meant that if she refuses to work with me, for what ever reason, then she'll have to be moved to a shift that I don't work. Since there is already a fully staffed day shift and I work evenings, then the only other shift left is nights.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 8, 2005

I'm not really sure what you were trying to imply with that comment but I only meant that if she refuses to work with me, for what ever reason, then she'll have to be moved to a shift that I don't work. Since there is already a fully staffed day shift and I work evenings, then the only other shift left is nights.

I'm not trying to imply anything. Maybe I misunderstood. You said "I'm feel sorry for her but if he keeps this up, I'm going to have to talk to someone about having her moved to the night shift."

It just sounded like you were going to go behind her back and get her moved to another shift. That's more power than any aides have that I've ever worked with.

Good luck in whatever you do. I hope you two can work it out like professionals. But it takes two doesn't it?

Crystle_clear · Nov 8, 2005

That's more power than any aides have that I've ever worked with.

I'm not sure what kind of facility you work at, but where I work, the RN's would much rather keep a hardworking and dependable "stupid" aide, than error prone and self important LPN. Mabye I just work at a better place than most.

sjrn85 · Nov 8, 2005

It's the way you worded it; I had the same reaction as Tweety did. I wondered about saying you "caught" her making a med error; again, a choice of words can make a huge difference in what you intended to convey.

She could be nervous as a new grad, trying to adjust to her new position, and trying to find a place in your "tight knit group" as well. She may be uncomfortable working with a med aide, too.

Why not try to help her feel part of the group, instead of making comments about how "she has to go" if it doesn't work out? Make the effort to include her; that might help break the ice.

As Tweety also mentioned, she might not be the first person you encounter who will be uncomfortable working with a med aide. There have been several heated threads about this topic.

sjrn85 · Nov 8, 2005

I'm not sure what kind of facility you work at, but where I work, the RN's would much rather keep a hardworking and dependable "stupid" aide, than error prone and self important LPN. Mabye I just work at a better place than most.

See, again, the tone of your post says a lot here.

Thunderwolf, MSN, RN · Nov 8, 2005

As a moderator, part of my business is to assess "tone". I have to agree somewhat here, I hear a little defensiveness in this thread. Tone can change the message 180 degrees from what it was intended. We need to be mindful of this. Sometimes, "how we say" something becomes the message, regardless of the words chosen. Just a heads up. No flaming in this thread please,...not wise.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 8, 2005

I'm not sure what kind of facility you work at, but where I work, the RN's would much rather keep a hardworking and dependable "stupid" aide, than error prone and self important LPN. Mabye I just work at a better place than most.

Perhaps you do. I work in a larger place than you I'm sure. We are not necessarily "tight knit" but we get along. And we've had more than a few licensed and unlicensed personnel conflicts. Somehow we have to work it out without getting rid of anybody.

If someone is to change shifts, it's management, not staff that makes that choice. It's happened, but not because it was instigated by an UAP.

It's quite unfair of her to write the story about you as being "stupid". Is it really mature and fair to label her "error prone and self-important" in return? Tit for tat and getting rid of her isn't going to resolve this. Give more than you get and see what happens.

I'm sorry to put you on the defensive, that's not my intention.