New nurse and already having drama

[Tattednurse_93]

So I just graduated and passed boards in January with my RN. I started my first job and I was talking with one of the aides that I work with who mentioned she wanted to go back to school for her LPN then bridge to her RN. I told her that though I was never a LPN, I heard it was much harder from the LPNs in my class because they had to change their ways of thinking. With that being said, the aide needed to remember when she took the RN-NCLEX to remember there are differences between a RN and a LPN, at least in the text book world.

Fast foward a couple of days, a LPN came up to me and confronted me about what I said, basically making it seem as it I was saying that RNs are better than LPNs which I never said or even thought, but she was going based off what I said. I tried to explain to her that the RN exam does give scenarios where you need to know how and what to delegate to a LPN, while the LPN can not delegate to a RN. She wouldn't listen and told me I didn't know what I was talking about. I dropped it, but then when I worked the next morning, one of the other nurses I work with told me the LPN had posted stuff on Facebook, stating that I do not know what I'm talking about and that she can already tell I'm gonna be a bad nurse. My question is how do I handle this situation? This is my first nurse job and I'm not the kind of person who likes working in tension. Again, I meant nothing by my statement, other than in the text book, they are different! Thanks for your input.

[heron, ASN, RN]

In my view, the mistake was in trying to explain yourself to the LPN. I would have simply said that my comment was misunderstood and either changed the subject or asked her advice about something clinical. And don't engage with that cna again on that subject either.

[Wuzzie]

And don't engage with that cna again on that subject either.

This ^

But I might add in my three decades of nursing I've learned it's just better not to engage at all with anybody about anything unless asked a direct question and even then tread lightly. Don't offer opinions or "I've heards" keep your conversations superficial and non-personal. Find a work buddy that has proven to be trust worthy if you need to confide in the moment about having a bad day or what not. Do not talk about anybody ever unless it's something nice and completely banal. Find your support and friendships far away from the work place. Trust me I've learned all of this the hard way.

[Tattednurse_93]

I definitely tried to explain that's not what I meant. The crazy thing is that the same day befo this we were laughing and carrying on. And I definitely learned my lesson on talking about that topic with anyone. It is just sad to me though that this is the kind of world we live in where people get so offended over something that was misunderstood and that we can not talk about trivial things at work.

[Wuzzie]

It is just sad to me though that this is the kind of world we live in where people get so offended over something that was misunderstood and that we can not talk about trivial things at work.

The problem is what you discussed wasn't exactly trivial. LPN vs RN is a hot button topic which, as a new person, you probably didn't know. This is one of the "I heard" situations I spoke of and I guarantee you they will always get you in trouble particularly in this situation. Regardless of your intent you really stepped in it this time. In the future if someone tells you they are planning on doing this or that the best response is along the lines of "Oh that's great. Good luck to you" and do not offer opinions that were not requested.

[SmilingBluEyes]

Unless you did this route yourself, your opinion really was not needed nor of any value. "I heard" means nothing. As said above, the best thing you could have said, was "good luck" and no more.

Hard lesson learned. The "drama" (your word) if there was any, was your fault.

Move on and it will blow over.

[Emergent, RN]

Juse remember, some experienced LPNs are going to be annoyed or threatened by new RNs coming out of school. Tread carefully. Basically, they probably know a whole lot more than you, never had the time or inclination to get that RN degree, but learned the old-fashioned way, through years of experience.

Along comes a newly minted RN making more money, giving her sage advise to others.

[Natasha A., CNA, LVN]

I definitely tried to explain that's not what I meant. The crazy thing is that the same day befo this we were laughing and carrying on. And I definitely learned my lesson on talking about that topic with anyone. It is just sad to me though that this is the kind of world we live in where people get so offended over something that was misunderstood and that we can not talk about trivial things at work. "Basically making it seem as it I was saying that RNs are better than LPNs which I never said or even thought.

OP,

Yes, I agree with you. It takes strength and courage to take responsibility for the dismal result we sometimes create in our lives but it is the only way to solve the situation. Try not to place yourself in that position again and treat each other with respect and dignity.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

Hopefully you've learned not to offer advice about such a hot button issue when you don't really know anything about it. "I've heard" isn't useful advice. Attempting to explain to the LPN just dropped you into it deeper. All you needed to say was "she misunderstood". Whether you "meant anything" or not is immaterial. You did offer advice about a topic with which you had no special knowledge. And if you've been reading AN for more than a week, you must know what a hot button issue you stepped into.

The Facebook stuff is unprofessional. Your facility most likely has some sort of policy about social media -- make sure you understand the policy, then ask her to take down her "stuff".