Published Jun 1, 2009
florianslove
75 Posts
Just I a note. I am an LPN with a Bachelor's Degree in PS, 4 credits away from a Master's of Health Administration. I am a Unit Manager for 60 beds, with RN's, LPN's and CNA's under me. I make between $50,000 and $60,000 per year, depending on OT. I work with some excellent nurses. The worst are the RN's. Most are former hospital nnurses and can't transition to SNIF. "We didn't do this in the hospital, I didn't know I can write an order for O2," etc. etc.
That extrra year doesn't make you a good SNIF nurse. Don't get me wrong, I have some NP's and PA's that I love. So advanced nursing degrees do not intimidate me, however, realize how much life experience and common sense apply, espciallly in a SNF.
I am proud to be an LPN. My further education will take me toward health administration. I will always feel my experience as an LPN will make me better at whatever I do.
Love to all nurses.
Roxann
LHH1996
90 Posts
if you ever read any of my past posts...LPN's taught me A LOT!!!! much respect here!
KAD24
33 Posts
good to hear!!! glad to see you love what you do and that is what's most important.
JB2007, ASN, RN
554 Posts
Glad to hear that you are proud to be an LPN. I work with several that are excellant and know more than any RN I know. However, not all RNs lack life experience and common sense as your post suggests. I am an RN (not my 1st career) and I have a lot of common sense/life experience. If you are a good nurse you have to have a lot of common sense. Sorry, but I feel that you are selling a lot of former hospital RNs short and that will be a real hindrance with moving up in your career further education or not. Try to be a little more open minded in the future. Good luck in your career choices.
Mrs.BSN71109
18 Posts
So many times on this message board I have heard people put others down and suggests because of others advanced degrees it makes them somehow lack common sense. I personally think that is offensive and very immature. I am very happy for you that you find enjoyment in your career and I congratulate you on your degrees, however there is no need to talk down to RN's as if they are below you.
achot chavi
980 Posts
Glad you are so proud, I am proud of you as well . May you go from achievement to achievement.
I have found that there is no need for animosity btwn any of the nurses. There is room for all of us - we are there to support each other, if a nurse (LPN or RN or NP etc)didn't know something, then she needs to be instructed, not mocked. If she doesn't learn, she needs to find another specialty.
Good luck in all your endeavors
To all the RN's, I certainly didn't mean to put down RN's, as I know many excellent ones. The RN I referred to in my post doesn't seem to want to do anything extra. Quick example, when our state surveyors showed up at 7:20 AM on a Monday morning, this nurse flew out of the building, when usually she hangs around and milks the clock until at least 9:00 A.M..
Please don't take offense RN's, I agree with achot chavi, we should all support one another. If I offended anyone please accept my apologies, it certainly wasn't how it was meant.
Have a good day everyone.
CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN
3,734 Posts
I think the RN vs LPN issues vary in the different areas of the country. I've never felt I was superior or above anyone. I do see some LPNs that seem to think they need to play the less superior role or always defer to the RN and they I see the oposite with some very strong, smart and assertive LPNs. Where I work, we are just about equal. I've learned more from an LPN or two than most of the RNs I work with.
As far as the I can't do that....I think that any nurse that comes from an acute care setting takes a good bit of time to become adjusted to the LTC setting.
You got that right, just oriented a seasoned RN straight out of the OR who was in shock that he will be alone on the unit- has loads to learn etc. I told him, put me into the OR today and I am sure that I would have the same cultural shock.
kermitlady
114 Posts
I was going to post something along the same lines. No offense to RN's in general but please educate yourself about the speciality differences if you're transitioning from a hospital to LTC.
I've had two ICU trained RN's train at my facility in the past month. Both were in culture shock from the moment they hit the floor. One just kept saying "23 patients? How do you care for 23 pts?" Ummm....that's a really good number for LTC! You could go across town to the LTC that is 36:1.
Like I said, no offense in general. Really just needed to vent.
softstorms
291 Posts
So much for nurses being a sisterhood..LOL. If we are honest...very honest...not one of us would want to walk into anyone else's job with-out a lot of orientation. We are like fingers on the same hand...none of us work alone. We work hard for the titles behind our names, but do we not work for them for the same cause? Pts. clients, residents, people? Even our scopes of practice change as the years go by. If you are in it for the money....then Bless you, by the time you pay your student loans you will already be behind. If you are in it for the "thank-you's" they come very infrequently. The shortest distance between a CNA and a BSN? Patient outcome.
MentalRn
34 Posts
you go girl! It never mattered to me if my superior was RN or LPN. The one with the most experience takes the cake.