LPN's Getting No Respect

Jules A, MSN · Oct 24, 2008

Please don't let this become how you expect to be treated because you may mis-read some people's intentions. Don't take it personally because as a RN student I was given plenty of CNA duties also and I can't say that I was ever made to feel bad about being a LPN student. Our instructors were trying to groom us toward the RN program in a way but more to have us behave like educated professionals in order to give LPNs a good name. By raising the bar it benefited everyone because our education was top notch whether we chose to pursue our RN or not.

Once when I wanted to apply for a job at a facility that does not hire LPNs I was treated like a 2nd class citizen. Their loss for sure. Other than that in my work environment I was always treated like a valuable member of the team by RNs and Physicians. Be proud, confident, competent and hardworking and it will work out fine.

jjrz1037 · Oct 24, 2008

I guess I am surprised of the negativity by staff in the facilities that we have clinical. At one major hospital that we go to they actually stated to our school that they don't know why we even bother to have rotation there since no one hires LPN's. I think it does bother me a little to always have to defend my position as to why I "only" want to be an LPN. Just something I will have to get used to in this field I guess. :icon_roll

pagandeva2000, LPN · Oct 24, 2008

I have encountered such behavior, also. It used to **** me off, but I also knew that in time, most people tend to abuse those that do not advocate for themselves. Of course, now is NOT the time to do so, because you have to complete the program. I, too "only" wish to remain an LPN, and I am proud of what I do. Many cases (without meaning to), I have shown up many of the RNs I worked with, but what I do is walk with confidence and pride, conduct myself professionally and am a team player. In addition, when I received unsolicited suggestions or comments about continuing on with my RN, I have let them know from the very beginning that if I wanted to know what they felt, I would have asked, and it can get ruder than that for the poor fools that continued.

To be honest, I know it sounds strange to people, but I feel more freedom as an LPN (it may be due to where I work, however), because I don't get the same aggrevations that the RNs do. I get my assignment, communicate with them when I am need to (or they disseminate to me what is necessary for me to know) and no one bothers me. I don't have to deal with scheduling, delegation, management, or the endless arguments I see the RNs I work with have on almost an hourly basis. When I work per diem, I don't have to deal with the doctors very often, which is a plus (but will, when the need arises), I do my job and I go home.

Each level, even physicians, have a pecking order and feel disrespected. It depends on how you choose to deal with it. Best of luck in your program and your new career!

jjrz1037 · Oct 25, 2008

your response was perfect! i was a stay at home mom for 20 years. once my kids got to high school i knew i had to do something for adult stimulation but getting just any job for a lousy $7/hour (before tax!), lpn seemed perfect. both my sisters are rn's, i too was in an rn program before i got married. my pre-req did not transfer over since it was so long ago. i did not see myself going back to school for 3 years. my sister, who case manages (right now her count is at 27 patients) for hospice, constantly complains about all the paper work she comes home with. she is spending hours once she gets home and like you said dealing with all the other responsibilites. i want to spend more time with the patients. i never saw it as a big deal but nearing the end of my program (december) and still... just venting. by the way, i love your quote...

~~when a person shows you who they are, believe them~~maya angelou

seems so fitting to this post! thank you...jac

prenursingC3PO · Oct 25, 2008

like quotes? then take this one with you as well. i am "just a tech" and obviuosly we could go on and on about the lack of respect, i personally could tell you a story about a long-term care facility where the "long long long term side was staffed by Rns, and the rehab side was staffed mostly by LPNs, i worked incredibly hard to make an impact on the long-term side, and got it done, then when i oriented on the rehab side in LPN-ville, they techs told me i needed to check out my options on the outside of the building (i already was, i knew this was a short-term deal, even if i was busintg my buns) because as a male tech, the female techs told me they had an inferiority complex and would take any opportunity to run a new male tech off, they pretty much expected me to have all of the ADLs memorize by the second 8 hour shift, and we were short both shifts, pretty much the norm for healthcare, but the verbal abuse from these women was unreal, perhaps it is because I have extensive experience as a tech working in the units, and I was "dressed for the unit". and "uppity tech" perhaps? i am the nicest guy in the world, but they did succesfully run me off, and i now work in a sweet tele unit, and am in contact with recovery and anesthesia...i fired that facility in a month, never showed them on a resume, and am doing great. the conditions were so bad there i faked a back strain, and had a local PA write a note, and a scrip for a muscle relaxer so I could have time to think...they called me and started that crap "when will you bee off light duty" and i let them know that i knew that game, and they could spare me...they backed off, and called me at the end of the restriction a few days early (odd) and said "didn't you know you were working tonight?" (i wasn't scheduled) but i did take the opportunity to tell them that i would not be back, and would arrive soon to pick up my final check. an expectation is a resentment waiting to happen. an expectation that people will treat you with respect, especially when there is a power differential, is unrealistic, and people don't have to pay a lot to rent the space in your head. don't give them the power. i never did, and i don't now. respecting yourself is your first line of defense, no matter where you are on the tree of medicine. good luck to all LPNs, who i respect immensely, may they never be pink-slipped again, as they all were within a week, without warning at a previous hospital i was employed at...good luck

pagandeva2000, LPN · Oct 25, 2008

your response was perfect! i was a stay at home mom for 20 years. once my kids got to high school i knew i had to do something for adult stimulation but getting just any job for a lousy $7/hour (before tax!), lpn seemed perfect. both my sisters are rn's, i too was in an rn program before i got married. my pre-req did not transfer over since it was so long ago. i did not see myself going back to school for 3 years. my sister, who case manages (right now her count is at 27 patients) for hospice, constantly complains about all the paper work she comes home with. she is spending hours once she gets home and like you said dealing with all the other responsibilites. i want to spend more time with the patients. i never saw it as a big deal but nearing the end of my program (december) and still... just venting. by the way, i love your quote...
~~when a person shows you who they are, believe them~~maya angelou
seems so fitting to this post! thank you...jac

we all have to be proud of our accomplishments, and when we know from within that we make a difference, then, that is all that counts. i keep saying to people that there is always someone else wishing that they can be 'you'. there are some home health aides, personal care aides, cnas, that wish they can be lpns! and, sure there are some lpns that would sell their first born to become rns. the homeless person wishes they can live in a single room; we can go on and on. but being satified internally can overcome all of that.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2008

Yup. Don't depend on others for your self-respect.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 25, 2008

How do the LPN's feel about how they are viewed by others?

As long as I am receiving a paycheck that can cover my bills, maintain my lifestyle, and provide some middle-class comforts, I really don't give a rat's crap about the opinions other people have regarding LPNs. If I view myself positively and am prospering in life, no one's views about me really matter.

AngelaLPN08 · Oct 26, 2008

As long as I am receiving a paycheck that can cover my bills, maintain my lifestyle, and provide some middle-class comforts, I really don't give a rat's crap about the opinions other people have regarding LPNs. If I view myself positively and am prospering in life, no one's views about me really matter.

I agree! I do the stuff that none of the RN's want to do. They sure cry when LPN's call in and they are un-available to come in and they have to do pt care. Well not all RN's! I am proud of what I do and I refuse to let anybody put me down.

algebra_demystified · Oct 26, 2008

I'm a brand new RN and take orders from the LPNs at work. The LPNs run the facility, and I'm very grateful for the hard work they do.

Tonight, an LPN saved my butt. I was scheduled to pass meds on 48 patients I don't know that well and I'm working sick, so the LPN that works one side of our con home did her regular duties plus passed meds on her side. I passed meds on the the other side and another new nurse (another LPN) did the nursing care on our side.

Between the three of us we got it all done on time and handled patient safety. Thank you to the LPN who carried the load tonight, dinner's on me this week.

There were four CNAs covering other work on our shift tonight, and I wouldn't have been able to pass meds without the help of the CNAs identifying patients for me.

Nursing is a team sport. We all work together.

mume2mykidz · Oct 26, 2008

I am not a LPN yet because I sit for my boards next month,but I have to agree with you when it comes to clinicals and when it comes to certain instructors for example I decided to go for my LPN I knew one thing I did not want to do as a career was to work in LTC but with children only,{my view has changed since then }but one instructor while teaching NF would keep telling us"let's skip this chapter because you will only be working with the elder"I was so annoyed!!!!this went on every day and I started thinking maybe I made a big mistake....needless to say that while doing clinicals my feelings changed and the only thing that actually keeps me scared of working in LTC is the lack of employee's not the actual client's but this shows you how even a teacher will teach,when we got to Med Surg we were lost because that one teacher kept skipping over things in NF because she has it in her mind that we will only be working in certain areas....all I know is I am sick of hearing about nursing shortages because it wouldn't be if more places hired LPN's and if RN's would treat us like equals because we are Nurses Too!!