New RN's attitude toward experienced LVNs.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 3, 2008

They probably are going to be quick to judge you, so your first impression will be the lasting one.

You have to honor their experience, not act condescending, etc. Realize they don't need you to tell them how to do their job. Ask them questions. Treat them like peers rather than "someone who is working under my license". They have a license to and they have to protect it as much as you do. Realize that very rarely does an RN loose their license because of what an LPN does and you don't have to watch their every single move. Give them room to breathe.

Say thank you. Still let them have the computer of their choice. What does "crappy computer mean" anyway.

Expect some grief and attidue. Don't let anyone push you around, because you are going to have to assert your authority, but proceed with caution.

Good luck.

I got along fabulously with the LPNs on my first job as an RN and they threw me a huge party when I left after a year to move to Florida.

Simpleplan · Jul 3, 2008

What does "crappy computer mean" anyway.

Thanks, I will take your advise. As far as the crappy computer, it is only crappy due to its location, which is off the floor.

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Jul 4, 2008

I agree with Tweety. Treat those LPNs as your colleagues, not as your subordinates. Also give them respect for their greater experience, and ask them questions and pick their brains about things. Remember that the "L" in "LPN" stands for "Licensed".

Simpleplan · Jul 5, 2008

I agree with Tweety. Treat those LPNs as your colleagues, not as your subordinates. Also give them respect for their greater experience, and ask them questions and pick their brains about things. Remember that the "L" in "LPN" stands for "Licensed".

Thanks. :saint:

rngolfer53 · Nov 22, 2008

Many of the LVN's at my job are very experienced. I have been working as a CNA and will soon be an RN. This is going to cause some uncomfortable situations. For instance, I am use to running errands and doing tasks for them. Also, I usually get pushed over to a crappy computer to put in vitals. I am wondering what I should expect once I get my RN license. Do you think the transition will be easy? My biggest concern is I will have an LVN under my license who has more experience than I do. Still, it is my license and I need to protect it.

Since nursing is a second career for me, there are plenty of people who have much more experience and expertise than I do as a 1+ year RN. I would be a fool not to nurture these folks, regardless of their age or credentials, so they'll want to help me with the benefit of their hard-won knowledge.

I think of it this way: How would I react if someone brand new came into my previous profession and presumed to be more informed and competent than I was, without any real basis for the presumption? My reaction is likely to be :angryfire.

I try to always remember that I'm on the other side of that fence now. I'm the newcomer.

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2008

These are very good replies!

As far as the computer issue goes... when one of them gets up from a good computer, sit your hiney down there with all your work and start typing. If they try to tell you to get up, just let them know that you are busy doing your job and that there is another computer (the crappy one). You shouldn't have to get up from the computer just because they pushed you to the crappy one before, they can't do that anymore!

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2008

Well, you HAVE to be on the floor, so you get first dibs on a "good" computer.

And congratulations!

FireStarterRN, BSN, RN · Nov 26, 2008

I don't think CNAs should be relegated to 'crappy computers', either. As long as it's work oriented, why shouldn't anyone sit at any computer? I would never demand that someone get off a computer just so I can have it. That's arrogent and rude, just my :twocents: