LPN....I'm still a nurse, right??

LucasRN · Oct 9, 2009

There is no such thing as JUST AN LPN! You ARE a nurse, and you should be very proud of it. No matter what you do in life and no matter how far you go there will always be someone there who will try to knock you down. The fool you had the unfortunate run in with last night was simply projecting his own inadequete feelings onto you and your staff. He is guilty because he can not care for his mother and wants to feel some sort of power or control ,so therefore he tries to order you around. Let it roll off of your back, and remember everything you went through, all of the hard work and sacrifice to obtain your LPN. Good Luck!

Bree124, BSN, RN · Oct 9, 2009

Don't ever say that! You're not "just" an LPN. You're an LPN! You worked hard for it, you have a special skill set, and an LPN isn't just some half-way point to being an RN. It's a unique position in and of itself, and is very necessary in the healthcare field. I am really sorry that he was so rude and disrespectful towards you. I hope that he realizes that he was in the wrong, but in the meantime I would just try to stay positive and not let him get to you.

If he is upset because he thought an RN would be on duty at all times, then that really has nothing to do with you. He needs to talk to the admins of the facility - you don't do the staffing. Just try to stay polite and realize he is probably treating you so terribly because he is worried about his wife, and you are the easiest person to yell at. Of course, that doesn't excuse his actions...

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Oct 9, 2009

Damned right you're a nurse. And a valuable asset to your team.

Spritenurse1210, BSN, RN · Oct 9, 2009

Hello everyone at AN, this is going to be a slight venting session. I will apologize in advance if it becomes a little long...
I am a LPN, graduated last March and I've been working at the same facility since June 08. Well let me just set up the scenario for you all. Last night at work I had an ugly and unfortunate run in with a residents husband. Now this resident is a new admission as of yesterday she has only been there for 1 day. He came into visit, his wife did not have oxygen on and he proceded to go to the desk and ask the STNA's why wasn't it on. The STNA directed him to me, I explained the order I have is for O2 at HS. He said " where did you get that order? thats not right I GAVE THE ORDERS TO THE HOSPITAL!!!" (he has a phD, but is NOT an MD) Well he then walked away, but only for a short time before he came back to attack me again....
So he comes back to the desk, I'm trying to chart. He says "You're the nurse?" I replied "Yes" He said "Well you can't be youre not an RN, LPNs aren't nurses and when I signed my contract here I was told there was always an RN here." Needless to say we got into an argument that I have never encountered with anyone let alone a family member. He kept going on and on about how I'm not a nurse, but his daughter is a RN, I said good for her and congratulations!!! He was disrespectful to myself and my aides. He told my aides they didn't know anything, were they just a bunch of highschool students etc..and the list of name calling continues.
I was so upset in the midst of the argument I told him I don't appreciate the way he was speaking to me and I walked away. I could feel my face steaming hot, I was shaking, my heart was beating in my ears, UGH I was so mad. Mad because I know I do my best at my job and I am a good nurse. Mad because I'm not like that with family members, what happened to my customer service skills, Im supposed to be so helpful....Mad because Ive never been so disrespected or verbally attacked, especially in the middle of my unit. Mad because I know Im not an RN but I don't need someone to repeatedly remind me of my short commings by yelling at me and enforcing the ramblings that YOURE NOT A NURSE YOURE NOT AN RN YOURE NOT A NURSE.
So after being so mad and the situation kept running through my head, of course I cried. I cried myself to sleep last night and I'm crying now. Even though so many residents and family members have said they appreciate me and the other staff, I'm so nice and go the extra mile to assist in any way, I still felt like nothing..just an LPN.
I'm sure tonight will be tense. He will be there again and I'll probably have to speak to management because of the statements the STNAs and I wrote. But I will be as strong as I can, I will not let him see me break down from the effects of his rudeness.
So to everyone out there who has a lesser respect for LPNs remember we are nurses too. We took our state boards, we went to school, maybe not as long, but we busted our butts studying and learning as much as possible to be the best nurse we could be. I have respect for RNs and someday maybe I'll get there but for now I'm just an LPN....
Katie

(((((((Katie)))))))) First of all, big hug to you for dealing with that jerk. He's upset because his wife is in the facility, and because he's feeling a lack of control over the whole situation. He's lashing out not at you but because he's really scared and feeling inadequate because he couldn't take care of his wife at home. Regardless, It doesn't give him the right to be condecending, and rude to you all, but it's going to be a scenerio played out time and time again. The names and faces are going to change, but you're going to run into this personality type whether you're an RN, LPN, or NP/APN. You're correct, a Licensed Practical NURSE is still a NURSE! Never say you're just an LPN, hold your head up high! You're an LPN!!! If you want to continue on to get RN, that would be great. Education is something that no one can take away from you. but until you start, be proud that you've made it thus far, and be proud that yes, you are a nurse!!

kkluczynski · Oct 9, 2009

Thanks, I appreciate your encouraging words, really I do.

Spritenurse1210, BSN, RN · Oct 9, 2009

Thanks, I appreciate your encouraging words, really I do.

Anytime. You can add me to your buddy list on here, feel free to message me as often as you like

mandykal, ADN, RN · Oct 9, 2009

hello katie,

dust it off your shoulders, otherwise, you spend more energy with frustrations. it is definitely not worth it. you will be exposed to all kinds of personalities, some you don't like, but hey, what choice do we have? keep an open relationship regardless, and don't feed into the argument. as a matter of fact, don't even bother. involve your supervisor, and have he/she take over consulting with the husband. you gave him a reason why she doesn't have 02 on b/c the order was for "hs," but it seemed like he wanted more. when dealing with this type of person, assess what triggers this behavior. could it be b/c she was on 02 at all times prior to admission? then for him to walk in without notice and find her without 02 which is in this case. i've had this senario before with a family member. told the family the 02 is used at night, quick in and out assessment; checked the 02 saturations, questioned the patient if having any difficulty breathing, and of course the person said "no." there you go. lastely i told the patient if you ever have any problems breathing, call me. the 02 can be used anytime (of course with a prn order in place). i would also questioned the husband about her history with 02. sometimes the resident herself may not be an good historian, and that is where family comes in. eventually this family member gave in and realized that we really cared. met both the patient's needs and the family members' needs aswell. lately, it seems like the resident or patient is not the only person we are obligated to treat, we have to treat the family members and that comes in form of education. today, go to work, and if you see the husband kill him with kindness, you have nothing to lose, besides your mind if you feed into an argument. you are playing this role because you care, be proud because you are a nurse :heartbeat

GooeyRN, ADN, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN · Oct 9, 2009

I don't have nice words for that guy. Sorry you went through that.

Penguin67 · Oct 9, 2009

You are a nurse and a very important part of the healthcare team and don't ever forget that! (He may need to check out what the "N" stands for in LPN.)

That said, when I encounter people like that man, in retrospect, I try to figure out what caused his behavior. In his case, he is acting out probably due to frustration/depression/anger/etc... over placing his loved one in a nursing home. You can't change that fact, but you can change his perception through your professional actions.

Be the professional here...kill him (not literally!) with kindness the next time you see him. Sometimes, when folks like him have a breakdown and lash out, the only way to reel them in is to overplay the nice, causing them to feel badly for their actions and maybe turn around. Even if he doesn't turn around, you know that you remained professional and did all that you could do for him.

rawrn · Oct 9, 2009

Look into a mirror and say to yourself...I AM A NURSE! This person...note I did not say gentleman or even man, is an *&% and an ignorant one at that! As hard as it is, stay calm and focused! You are there for the residents/patients. Yes, it is important to be respectful to the families, but you owe them nothing more than common courtesy that you would give anyone on the street. I deal with families all the time and they can be and are at times extremely demanding, rude and inconsiderate. You can't control ppl but you can control you! Unfortunately, you are going to have to deal with this "person" on a regular basis. Be polite and courteous. If he continues to verbally abuse you or your staff, speak to your superiors immediately and document such behavior! When I encounter rude families, I can't help but to think to myself...my gosh, if this is how he/she treats ppl they don't even know, imagine how they must treat their loved ones....scary! You are a professional! You are respected! Now wipe those tears away and go be the NURSE you've been trained to be!:redbeathe

flightnurse2b, LPN · Oct 9, 2009

i hope someone from your management puts this man in his place. there was absolutely no reason for him to treat you that way and it sounds like you kept your composure very well during all of it.

you ARE a nurse. people are just ignorant.

i wish i could give you a hug.