Is there an 'us' and 'them' culture in nursing

[nyapa]

I recently have finished my first year as an RN. Previous to that I was an EN for many years. EN basically is equivalent to LPN. As an EN I didn't see this, but as an RN I think that there is a hidden undercurrent of 'us' and 'them'. Comments like 'its good you've got all RNs on this shift' or 'RNs have to do a lot of ENs work'. I personally find this quite offensive, because as an EN I worked my butt off. And the ENs I have come into contact with on several wards are often the ones with the senior knowledge. They are just not allowed to assume it for legal reasons. So what do you LPNs, RNs and Aussie ENs think?

[husker_rn, RN]

I have seen the us/them thing in action. I have worked with LPNs who have had a large knowledge base and have learned much from them. In the end a good nurse is a good nurse and the initials behind the name don't change that. Until we all learn to respect each other we can't expect anyone else to respect us as a profession.

[Simba&NalasMom, LPN]

If such an "us and them" culture does exist, I see it more between nurses (no matter how many letters are behind their names) and MDs.

In my experience, nurses share a special bond no matter what their "level". Most of my experience is in LTC; maybe that makes a difference?

[jessiern, BSN, RN]

I think at our hospital, the LPN are more aware of their limited role then RN's. They get annoyed having to hunt us down to give their patients pain meds, to assess their new patient, to hang their blood, ect, ect. But, I have never heard an RN complain about it. We have some great LPN's, that work their tails off, and have better assessment skills then I could hope to have. And usually, if we give their pain meds, they will try to do something for us, like turn a patient (although I don't think I have ever heard an RN demand or even politely ask this). We have a great team there, RN's and LPN's.

[nyapa, RN]

If such an "us and them" culture does exist, I see it more between nurses (no matter how many letters are behind their names) and MDs.

In my experience, nurses share a special bond no matter what their "level". Most of my experience is in LTC; maybe that makes a difference?

You know, when I started this poll initially, it was based on some blatant and covert expressions by RNs regarding ENs. However I was a victim of the opposite last week, ie; an EN being both blatant and covertly 'bullying' towards me. So I am tending to agree with alot of ppl here. Maybe it is the attitude of individual nurses, not their background or knowledge. Maybe that is their outlet of expression, to down other ppl.

I like what you have written SimbaandNalasMom. We are a team, we are a family, and I hope that we all remember that...

[akcarmean, LPN]

I have been a victim of of the difference between the initials behind your name.

I have to agree with others. I think it is more the person and their attitude.

It would be great if all could learn to work together and not pay attention to the initials behind the name.

[barefootlady, ADN, RN]

Above all the other Us vs Them situations, the one that rubs me raw the most is the

Nurse vs Admin/Mgt situation. Many times my heads reels from the pressure of being a good nurse, a patient advocate, and a good employee. Anybody else have any thoughts?

[Simba&NalasMom, LPN]

Above all the other Us vs Them situations, the one that rubs me raw the most is the

Nurse vs Admin/Mgt situation. Many times my heads reels from the pressure of being a good nurse, a patient advocate, and a good employee. Anybody else have any thoughts?

Boy, do I...but I think I don't wanna go there because I'm sure there are PLENTY of administrators who take a holistic rather than monetary approach to caring for their clients. I just have not had the pleasure of meeting them yet.

Nyapa, I feel your pain. I'm a relatively new LPN (3 years) who has been bullied countless times by CNAs. I've actually pulled rank on one and I hate being that petty, because you're right...we are all on the same team. :)