Need Input On Situation......

[celestlyn]

Here's the problem. I work as an LPN on a medical unit of a local hospital. There are very few LPN's there and none on the shift and floor I work on. Most RN's haven't worked much with LPN's and so aren't too receptive. Many will not give me a patient assignment and just use me to do aide work and meds. The CCA's on the floor are mad at me because they don't feel that I'm taking my turn 'floating' when someone has to. Last week when one aide had to float for the second time in a week she really got in my face about it. She was told by the charge nurse that I float as a nurse and not as an aide, but she was not satisfied and I'm feeling really stressed over this. I know she is going to go to the floor coordinator and complain. It is causing me to want to quit my job and find a place that accepts LPN's more. It seems like I'm constantly swimming upstream. Any input about a situation like this?

[LoriAlabamaRN]

I would go to your charge nurse and/or floor coordinator and explain exactly what was goign on, and ask for a detailed job description of your responsibilities and capabilities. Then show this to whomever thinks you should not have a patient assignment. As for the aide going to talk to her about you not getting pulled, YOU are not an aide, YOU are a nurse! Let her talk!

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

The aide really had no right to get into your face about anything.

If she does this again, you should clearly let her know that you are a licensed nurse with the appropriate training and education to back it up. It seems to me that you are being utilized at this hospital as a 'glorified aide'.