LVN's vs. The rest of the class...

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I've noticed in my nursing classes lately that the LVN's who are there to complete their RN seem to have a bit of a chip on their shoulder. I highly doubt that this is something that goes across the board, but one LVN said outright (to the instructor, an RN of 30+yrs) "I do everything an RN does, I just dont get paid as much". The instructor just raised her eyebrows, but the rest of us were looking around at this particular student like "What the heck?..." Now, I'm sure that there are places and situations where an LVN would have some of the responsibilities of an RN, but its really bothering me that these few students have the attitude that they are better than the rest of us. I know that not all LVN's are that way, just as all Nursing students are not catty, but I was wondering.. how far does this type of competition (or attitude, take your pick) really go? Is this the type of thing I can expect in a workplace?

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, ER, Peds ER-CPEN.

there are a few transitions in our group that are like that, the others are great to work with and help us instead of going out of their way to make us look stupid (had one do that in another clinical group, thank god I had the helpful ones in mine)

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Specializes in 5th Semester - Graduation Dec '09!.

Well, she has a lot of hutspah for saying such a thing in front of ANYONE, especially an instructor. I don't even know what my instructors would do if they heard a student say that--I wouldn't want to find out!

Although I don't study with any LPNs, we do have a Paramedic and another student w/ a PhD in Physiology, and lots of aids. No one has ever acted like that, and at times we flock to them for their help!

I would call her out on it!

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Specializes in LPN.

I will be in this position when I go back to school for my RN next year. I read things like this to take notes on how NOT to act. :D Just kidding...

During my first year, we had several students who came in with experience in related medical fields. Most were very mature and helpful toward the rest of the class, but you do meet an occasional person with an attitude. One such person came in bragging that she was simply getting a degree to show for the knowledge she already had. She ended up flunking out. :uhoh21:

I've already met more than my share of nurses in the field who will always try to one-up you. It's "I've been a nurse for ___ years" within 30 seconds of your introduction to them, or "I've worked here, here, and here and I'll tell you that you aren't getting real nursing experience where you work", etc. Even new grads get in on the action by showing off with who got the higher grades or had better learning experiences in clinicals. I've learned not to believe a lot of what I hear, and just ignore the rest.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice.

I have this in my LPN class. Most of my classmates are CNA's and think they know it all. Not only do they think they know it all, they have to go out of their way to prove just what they know. They all look down on me because I have no previous CNA experience. (I was in the clerical end of things, being a medical transcriptionist before finally deciding to go for LPN). They're all arrogant and cocky and keep insisting they are going for the LPN because "they do everything nurses do, we just don't get paid as much." Of course, they don't do everything nurses do (no license). They're making my clinicals a living heck on earth because I keep hearing "Don't let Kylee try that, you know she only works in a hospital." This past weekend, I got so ticked off when I was asked to pull an IV and super nursing student took off down the hall to do it. Um, excuse me, is your name Kylee? She stopped to put her gloves on, and I continued into the room. By the time she got in the room, I had the IV pulled and the gauze and tape over the insert site. She just huffed out of the room. (Oh my, did I ruffle someone's feathers because you weren't fast enough? *innocent look* I might only work in a hospital, but I pull IV's all day long.) I sooooooooo cannot wait to graduate so I can get these evil people out of my life.

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I have this in my LPN class. Most of my classmates are CNA's and think they know it all. Not only do theythink they know it all, they have to go out of their way to prove it. They all look down on me because I have no previous CNA experience. (I was in the clerical end of things, being a medical transcriptionist before finally deciding to go for LPN). They're all arrogant and cocky and keep insisting they are going for the LPN because "they do everything nurses do, we just don't get paid as much." Of course, they don't do everything nurses do (no license). They're making my clinicals a living heck on earth because I keep hearing "Don't let Kylee try that, you know she only works in a hospital." This past weekend, I got so ticked off when I was asked to pull an IV and super nursing student took off down the hall to do it. Um, excuse me, is your name Kylee? She stopped to put her gloves on, and I continued into the room. By the time she got in the room, I had the IV pulled and the gauze and tape over the insert site. She just huffed out of the room. (Oh my, did I ruffle someone's feathers because you weren't fast enough? *innocent look* I might only work in a hospital, but I pull IV's all day long.) I sooooooooo cannot wait to graduate so I can get these evil people out of my life.

Your medical transcriptionist experience will help you down the road quite a bit, wait and see. And, on the plus side, a lot of nurses cannot spell and I know you can! One nurse I know even spells nurse N-E-R-S-E....go figure!:D

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I'm sorry the LVNs in your class aren't friendly and helpful thats just uncool. Without knowing the situation I'd guess its because they've been pushed around quite a bit. As a LPN I've had to put up with more than my fair share of comments about how LPNs aren't "real" nurses or we are only licensed not degreed etc. Its all a bunch of crap, imo. All positions are important members of the team and I think its sad when someone feels the need to act superior to anyone else. I would never bother to go where the student did with your instructor but truth be told LPNs work pretty closely with RNs in most settings for significantly less money. Now that I'm almost ready to sit for the RN boards I promise to remember that I was thankful to have my LPN first and fwiw the RN program wasn't any harder than my LPN program, just longer.

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Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice.

My transcription experience is how I passed Anatomy. Had I not had that experience, I am sure I would not have passed.

An aside here: I have wanted to be a Nurse since I was 4 years old. I was seriously consideing it for college, but my Grandmother and Mother talked me out of going "because all you will do is clean up poop all day." (I knew that). I've gone from low paying job to low paying job for years. It took my Dad's passing (I was at his bedside holding his hand when he passed) to finally kick my butt into gear to apply to LPN school and go. I'm glad I did, but I really wish I had kinder and gentler classmates. Since I don't, I'm making do and counting the days till we all take the stage and walk away at the end of the night.

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Specializes in 5th Semester - Graduation Dec '09!.
...All positions are important members of the team and I think its sad when someone feels the need to act superior to anyone else...

SO TRUE!!:yeah:

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Specializes in Med Surg, Hospice.
As a LPN I've had to put up with more than my fair share of comments about how LPNs aren't "real" nurses or we are only licensed not degreed etc. Its all a bunch of crap, imo.

Ohhh... that really frosts my bum... your license says Nurse. And Diploma Nurses aren't degreed.

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Specializes in DOU.

The LVNs in my RN program seem very nice and helpful to me. They help me with practical things in the hospital, and I help them with their test-taking skills and paperwork. in the end, I think it will all even out.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I did not read most of the replies, so excuse me if I am reiterating what has been said already.

All healthcare workers have experience in their field. LPNs, CNAs, EMTs, CNAs, Unit clerks, and so on. They may be very good at what they do (or, they may not be, but would never admit to it). But none of them are Registered Nurses. If they were, they would not be in your class ;). The bottom line is, no matter how much experience they have, they were not trained to think like nurses. They may have an advantage as far as the tasks, and a comfort level in dealing with patients, but you will get there too. I am not in any way minimizing their value, but they are there for the same reason you are, and that is to learn to become an RN.

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