IS IT MY IMAGINATION?

[saskrn]

After sifting through the various posts in this site, I have noticed repeatedly that some nurses still have the attitude of RN versus LPN. For example, an LPN stated he acted as a resource person, even to RN's. Will RN's and LPN's go head-to-head forever? I was working in Oklahoma a couple of years ago, and I was literally surrounded by LPN's who blamed me for nurses that had "RNitis". Why can't LPN's and RN's act as a team of professionals for the sole purpose of the patient??? Is this too difficult?

[susanmary]

Leah, LPNs and RNs are both valuable health care team members. Both contribute immensely to patient care. Too many posts on LPN vs. RN, ADN vs. BSN -- we need to let go and move on! What matters is that we are professional nurses working together. We own our own actions -- not the actions of others. In my clinical setting, there are no LPNs (this changes with reorganizations.) However, I work side-by-side with MSNs who do staff nursing -- I have never experienced any superiority attitudes by those with more education. I'm confident that I do the best that I can -- they learn from me and I learn from them -= no one knows everything. Perhaps I'm naive & this bickering does go on. But I truly believe that most nurses are good and decent people. Those with superiority complexes truly feel inadequate regardless of their training, education, credentials. Let's give this a break and work on more positive posts.

Have a great day.

Sue

[Q.]

What I have found, and perhaps it is my imagination, but most of the anger from RN vs LPNs and ADN vs BSN stems not from actual hostility, or this so-called RNitis, but rather miscommunication and defensiveness, and generalizations based on ONE nurse, or ONE interaction. An LPN works with a timid new grad RN, BSN and assumes she is "less skilled," and therefore starts attributing that quality to ALL RNs. Or an LPN works with a lazy, bossy RN, and starts to attribute that quality to ALL RNs. What you need to realize is that lazy bossy RN is not that way because she is an RN - she is probably lazy and bossy outside of work too and has nothing to do with her job! If she were a bank teller she'd be the same way! An RN works with an LPN who functions on a level no more than a nurses's aid, and assumes ALL LPNs work that way. It's human nature to generalize. But it's so importance to us because it destroys our own professional image.

[susanmary]

Originally posted by Susy K:

What I have found, and perhaps it is my imagination, but most of the anger from RN vs LPNs and ADN vs BSN stems not from actual hostility, or this so-called RNitis, but rather miscommunication and defensiveness, and generalizations based on ONE nurse, or ONE interaction. An LPN works with a timid new grad RN, BSN and assumes she is "less skilled," and therefore starts attributing that quality to ALL RNs. Or an LPN works with a lazy, bossy RN, and starts to attribute that quality to ALL RNs. What you need to realize is that lazy bossy RN is not that way because she is an RN - she is probably lazy and bossy outside of work too and has nothing to do with her job! If she were a bank teller she'd be the same way! An RN works with an LPN who functions on a level no more than a nurses's aid, and assumes ALL LPNs work that way. It's human nature to generalize. But it's so importance to us because it destroys our own professional image.

Amen. You made some great points. We need to develop thicker skin, stop generalizing, and realize that we own our own actions. Someone acting wonderful or less than wonderful says more about them than about us -- why is it that nurses take everything so personal (myself included?)

Sue

[This message has been edited by susanmary (edited April 03, 2001).]

[saskrn]

I agree with Suzy K, all I'm saying is that in my experience, I have seen this animosity many times, in different places, and it's negative to staff and patients. I try to respect all staff, and it bothers me when I have to deal with LPN animosity. I don't approach LPN's this way, and I wish no one would do it to me.

[saskrn]

Susy K,

You are totally right!! Thank you for straightening me out!! I just stew about things sometimes!!

[Q.]

Leah I understand. I've had some pretty negative moments myself. People have said the cruelest things and attacked my experience. But like I said, I think it more so stems from THEM personally, and their insecurities. They would do the same thing if they worked at the grocery store. Those people are just negative signs.

Most of nursing isn't that way. I have never worked with any RNs that blantantly disrespect aides or LPNs SIMPLY because of thier role. They either did it because they are just plain rude, OR, the aide/LPN got defensive and it really wasn't as deep of a connotation as she/he took it.