LPN-RN partnership in nursing-a gentle reminder

Nurses LPN/LVN

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A Gentle Reminder.....

Hello RN, it's me LPN. (Not JLPN..JUST an LPN.) Don't look behind you, I'm not there. Don't look down, I'm not there either. Look beside you, that's where I am.

We're on the same team. I help you, you help me, and together we get it done. Vitals need to be taken.If I'm busy, and you have time,you can take them. Putting a patient on a commode is not strictly an LPN duty, nor an RN duty - it is a nursing duty. Emptying commodes is a nursing duty. Please do not leave them in the room, hallway, or service room for me to do. Stool gatherer, urine collector, sputum catcher, yes I am, as you are. If you don't know which container, ask me, and I'll show you. There will be things I'll want to ask you too. Don't roll your eyes, or become impatient with me. No one knows everything. I have things I must get done too. My nursing duties are just as important as yours. I have things to chart, assessments to do. I have my own governing body and standards of practice, to which I hold myself accountable.. Please don't ask me to do something just because you'd rather not do it yourself. That's not what LPN's are for. Besides, it's not fair. I love nursing and I hope you do too. When LPN's and RN's work together it's a wonderful nursing partnership, and a very productive team. So come and work with me, .........

Partner.

:D

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

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kaknurse - :p great reply. It seems part of your job is almost "babysitting" the lpn"s work.In british columbia the lpn's are responsible to work in their own scope of practice. We no longer work under the supervision of an RN. I don't know how else I can promote the RN/LPN working relationship as a partnership. If it is accepted as such, the patient can only benefit. Unfortunately, the postings of this letter have disappeared in various places throughout the hospital. Good thing I carry extra copies in my bag. I have shown it to various RN's who did not find the article offensive, and if anything felt it was too bad it had to be addressed at all. Other RN's have told me they did find it offensive, and I know two that removed it. Those two RN's are very difficult to work with. They increase my workload as they delegate all shift, things they want me to do for their patients, (put so and so in a wheelchair, get a sputum spec, put so and so on a stretcher, take so and so to the bathroom etc. )regardless of the fact I have my own patient workload to contend with. It is frustrating, and I don't know what the answer is. I guess their are team workers, and anti-team works in any profession. It seems more visible and delicate in health care though.

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Specializes in Leadership/Critical Care/Surgery/Seniors.

Very well said!

I have only worked with LPN's for 5 out of my 22 years of nursing. It was a very difficult adjustment for me at the time. I automatically assumed that we would all work as a team, but I found that the LPN's were not necessarily on the same page as I. I found there was a lot of turf protection. They were used to working the floor on their own while the charge nurse sat at the desk doing paperwork, and the med nurse did meds and looked after IV's. My priority was getting done what had to be done, and joining the LPNs on rounds to do patient care. I was told on more than 1 occasion that my help was not needed. I persisted, and they eventually came around and welcomed having the extra pair of hands.

There has been turf protection evident as LPNs expanded their scope of practice, where some RNs felt threatened.

Personally, I like to work as a team, which includes the unit clerks, ward aids, orderlies, LPN's, RN's. Nursing functions much more effectively that way!

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Specializes in Med-Surg Nursing.

Leesonlpn,

Funny thing is though, that hospital that I used to work at is in PA, Erie Pa to be exact and I have an Aunt who is an LPN at a different Erie hospital and I asked her if her work had to be co-signed by an RN and she said no. So that policy is just that specific hospitals policy not a State Board of Nurisng Law.

I am all for not having to "baby-sit" an LPN as you described in your post above. It made for a tougher day because of that hospitals STUPID RULE!!

I learned a LOT from an LPN who knew Diabetic care inside and out and was never afraid to ask her questions. Then there were a few other LPN's on that unit (an in-hospital Skilled Care Unit) who refused to take responsibility for anything and tried to pass the buck so to speak to the RN in charge. All in all though, I enjoyed working with the LPN's and miss having them around in the Acute care setting which I now work.

We are ALL nurses and it is ALL of our jobs to care for the patients!!

Kelly:)

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leesonlpn:

I just wanted you to know that here at our hospital, and paritcularly on the floor I work on, we work with the paired caring model. !-LPN and 1-RN work TOGETHER. We are partners (I've been with my partner RN for almost 9 years now) and take our assignments together. What I might miss she'll pick up and what she might miss, I pick up. We both do the vital signs and the charting. We both wash and feed patiennts. We both give enemas and supps and we both put in the caths! As our skill overlap can be as much as 70% at times, we both COMPLIMENT each other. We are a fine tuned machine!!!! We've had both RN and LPN students on the floor(a busy acute medical floor) and they all say that they feel this system seems to work very well. With such a high staff turnover it' good to know that when you come to a floor as a casual there will be someone to work with side by side who can give you that helping hand for a lift, ransfer, etc. Just thought you'd like to know!!!:D

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What a cool idea, Janice.

Too bad they don't do it like that elsewhere....

:)

Marla

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Hey Leesonlpn Good job and well put. I think you speak for the whole nursing population on that one. My cap off to you. (even though I haven't worn it in years) Have a nice day

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Nursing Bulletin Board > General Nursing Discussion > A LPN said too me...

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betts

Senior Member

Registered: Oct 2001

Location: Spotsy

Posts: 97

A LPN said too me...

This statement was made too me by a staff LPN.

She stated; "I'm only an LPN".

I replied; "No, you are a Nurse"!

LPN; "You're a RN aren't you?" Yes,so...

But I'm just a LPN.

NO! You are a Nurse!

The only difference between us, concerns Legalities. The reason you're not allowed to do certain procedures isn't that you're not smart enough or capable, it's a legal issue.

Their are some procedures that you're not trained for or requires a RN too do but don't think that you're any less a Nurse because of it.

LPN; I've never had anyone in management say that to me before. You have now. What makes a person a good nurse is whats in their Head and Heart.

We shared tears,and a hug.

Keep your Head and your Heart going in the right direction and you will not have to worry about your Feet.

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Excellent!!!!!!! And I might add, for those of us that work in LTC, this applies to the LPN (and or RN)and CNA working as a team as well --- they are not "just CNA's" , they are our eyes and ears and hands in many ways!!

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How very true. It is a very wonderful posting. I have an RN that I work with that is great as long as I refere to her has "masa charge." Thankyou for the uplifting note.

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How very true. It is a very wonderful posting. I have an RN that I work with that is great as long as I refere to her has "masa charge." Thankyou for the uplifting note.

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I've copied this letter numerous times and have started giving it the the bsn. undergrades and their instructors. Some students read it, others are disinterested. I'm trying to nip it in the bud early.;)

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