LVN not wanted

[Susycute]

I have been an LVN for almost 3 years now. I currently work in a pediatric clinic. I am the only LVN there along with 4 MAs. I have been at this place for almost 2 months. Prior to this place I also worked in a pediatric clinic. I am struggling!!! The MAs have made me feel like they don't want me there. They have stated they have run the clinic without a LVN for a long time. They question the way I do vaccines(like I mentioned I have previous pediatric experience). Also at my previos job we used a different EMR system so I’m also struggling to grasp theirs and ofcouse I ask a lot of questions especially on how things are done here since I did things different where I came from. Like today an 11 yr old pt came in for a vaccine as a nurse visit and didn’t have his yellow card with him so I only gave the vaccine he came in for. Later one of the MAs tells me the MD is upset because I only gave one vaccine and didn’t offer to give TDap which he will need for school. I understand my mistake of not double checking but even the MA scolded me stating “that was the whole point of the visit”. I also feel the MD should of approached me and not the MA. When I administer vaccines this MA goes in to see how I vaccinate. I’m very annoyed I’m trying not to be negative but what can I do? Should I take it to my office manager or should I ignore?

[caliotter3]

When the MA complained to you using the MD as the source of frustration, was she doing so because she was passing gossip to you, or was she doing it because she is your direct supervisor? You need clarification as to who you report to and who you should be expecting constructive criticism and coaching from. Talk to the office manager. If you don't like what she tells you, then make plans to work elsewhere. But be aware that there are lots of people who will try to boss you around at lots of places of employment. It is up to you to stand up for yourself.

[Susycute]

She did it because the MD complained to her. Later on the MD scolded me infront of another MA. It just bothered me the fact that MD told her instead of speaking directly to me. Now I feel she gave this MAs another reason to question what I do. I’ve been there 2 months and management never told me who was training me or my actual duties. They let MAs trained me which is in some point understandable since they have run the clinic but I don’t know I feel like I’m not taken seriously by anyone there.

[caliotter3]

Then, you will have to decide if you can put up with this low level toxic situation on the sake of keeping a job, or whether you should seek a better work environment. You know about that saying, "You teach people how to treat you." Eventually, that will apply here. Decide if this job is worth it to you. Sounds as if the MD doesn't have a good handle on how to treat people. As long as the problem is with him, you probably won't be able to win.

[Just me.]

I don't work in your area of nursing, and I know vaccine schedules are different. Did they come in for school vaccines? I know for example my daughter got her tdap vaccine at the end of the school year of 5th grade for middle school, at the school. Another county over, they do the tdap vaccine in middle school. Maybe get clarification on the vaccine schedule the office follows...so you can familiarize yourself with it. When you are voicing or questioning differences in how things are done comparing one clinic to another, could they be assuming you are criticizing what they do? Are you working independently, or still training? Did they come to watch you vaccinate for technique or are they making sure you are doing the right vaccines? Are they used to using different anatomical sites at this clinic, and wanting to make sure you using the offices recommended sites?

[LPN Retired, LPN]

Seems to me they are jealous, because you have a license, and they don't. Seems like they want you out so they can run the clinic themselves like they want to.

I think you should remember you have the education and the license that they don't. Stand up for yourself, do what is right , follow the dr's orders. Check out the policy and procedure books for any questions you have. Don't let them bully you out of the job if you like working there.

["nursy", RN]

One thing you haven't made clear, is, as an LVN are you working equal duties as the MAs, or are you in charge of them. If they haven't had anybody over them before, they will resent it. The fact that you're probably making more money than they are will also create resentment. Also, while you have been an LVN for 3 years, and worked at another pediatric clinic, you have only been at this clinic for 2 months, so their knowledge base is greater than yours at the moment. The best thing to do is try to respect their knowledge and honor their experience. Then they won't feel as threatened (although it may take time for them to come around).

[canelavos]

If it is toxic enough for you to feel like you are unwanted, I would probably start looking somewhere else. It has been 2 months already.. I would've expected the attitudes to last for a week or 2 but it has been 2 months already. I had to do community clinical for the LVN program and I was sent to a clinic that is run by MAs. Basically the rudest clinical experience I ever had, they told "LVNs dont do nothing here, we do everything, I dont know what they do" but they got mad when I tried to explain to them a patient with A-Fib is not going to have an accurate heart rate through a pulse meter. Anyhow take care of your license and do what is best for your sanity.

[Msfancy, LVN]

Oh, the classic story of MAs feeling inferior to LVNs. I have gone through this one too many times. Don't get me wrong, I was an MA for 8 years before I became an LVN so I am not saying nurses are better or worse. That has just been my experience. I saw a comment above saying they are treating you badly because they are jealous and I 100 percent agree with that. If the environment is toxic and the MD engages that then he/she is equally a piece of crap and maybe that is not a place you should be if you want to grow and not become bitter. If you can handle it then more power to you but personally when I become bitter at a job I hate going to work then I do not perform at my best and I end up being as miserable as the MAs that made me that way. Misery loves company. If you decide to stay I would invest some time in reading the policies and procedures of your work place. Stand up for yourself and let them know how you want to be treated. Usually if they smell fear they will continue to disrespect you. As far as the childish doctor, I would speak to them directly about your expectations as a professional and if he/she has a problem with it then I am sure there is someone with authority that should be aware of this.

Good luck!!

[PixxieDust, LVN]

Good morning! I wanted to chime in because I have been in your shoes before. I was a nurse 12 years when I started working with MA's. I had been in detox nursing, sub acute, wound care, etc. A good amount of experience! The MA's were not MA's nearly as long as I was an LVN. One of them was incessantly rude to me, much much younger as I was in my early 40's and she was 22. I took it this way, she was feeling threatened. I was the first LVN they ever hired and she had the ego of a dragon. What I did was killed her with kindness. I took the knowledge she had to give me about the job and was grateful no matter how it was delivered. I would just kind of giggle to myself at the defensiveness and rudeness. Just know that MA's are not licensed! They will make you feel like because you are not an "RN" you are not really a nurse. I've heard it all before. It's just their way of puffing up because they feel threatened. I promise, with a little finess it will pass. You have to play the game with them. Don't meet hostility with hostility. I used to randomly say thank you to this particular MA for showing me certain things around the clinic. After a while, she saw I was her teammate. She stopped. One of the RN's did the same thing to me at that place. She was far more brutal, very unnecessarily rude and belittling. It was a really toxic working environment and eventually I left because I realized although I wasn't a target anymore, they were mean to each other! I wanted no part of it. So, in your situation it may be that the MA is just horrified that the doctor will act the way he had. He sounds a little clueless on how to treat people. It could be that she is trying to help you so you don't run into that situation as she has. You all have to stick together as a staff because at times the doctor can make it a pretty unpleasant place if he wants to. Lastly, you are a nurse, you know your stuff. Don't let anyone take that from you. Go in, do your best and don't feed into negativity and gossip. Ignore it and don't let anyone drag you in! Good luck to you

[Mintezia]

In my opinion you will always be a step above MAs, not to put them down. There are far fewer opportunities for them and it's hard not to find an overpriced program. You have more training and job security. These people are truly toxic and dumb. It might be time to find another place.

In my opinion I don't think you can replace LPNs with MAs. They really shouldn't be giving injections being unlicensed. It creates bigger liability for the patients at the cost of saving a few bucks.

Anyone that suggests that LPNs are useless is simply ignorant. Home health care agencies could not exist without them and that's definitely a field I don't ever see MAs infiltrating. I've seen recent job postings in multiple states demanding LPNs to help with the Covid crisis. I think with disruptions in education there will be an even bigger shortage of any nurse and they will have to use LPNs more.