New RNs delegating to LPN's.

gator_bait13 · Feb 6, 2009

As a former LPN and a new RN I have some insight on this. As a brand new LPN I found that the techs and aids had a really hard time taking delgation from me, and always had an issue..for example " My kids are older than you, I don't have to...". As an RN I now find that LPN's and Techs have the same sort of issues. Is all i can say is once you earn their respect and show them what a fantastic nurse you are, hopefully it wont be a prob! Hang in there! I think it often seems threatening to be delegated to by a newer healthcare professional.

chicookie, BSN, RN · Feb 6, 2009

I have issues with them because I am way to young it seems. I am the youngest on the floor. So the techs and LPNs don't even bother hearing what I am asking of them. :crying2: One went so far as to tell the manager that she couldn't take orders from me because I was to young to know what I am doing.

For crying out loud I am 21 not some child!

gator_bait13 · Feb 7, 2009

I HEAR YA BUDDY! I am 21 as well, however I was 18 when i got my LPN and I have been taking crap since then (both other staff and patients).

Hopefully your manager backed you up because that is RIDICULOUS. I understand that sometimes the tech and LPN experience can be helpful and beneficial and there is a lot to learn from them. I do understand that they have knowledge earned by there experience that I don't have, No I haven't been working for 20 years, that doesn't make my degree null and void and I do know what I am doing.

Make it clear that it is your hard earned license on the line. You are the care taker and they are being delegated to by you.

I get soooo sick of hearing " Your younger than my kids, how could you possibly know anything". I call the these Old hag nurse (mean I know) sorry... and prove to them that i do know what i am talking about! Unfortunatley sometimes you really have to use your assertive communication skills and make them understand that you won't tolerate them ignoring you. Some of the older techs that I worked with I tried really hard to create a team like effort while still being the person in charge, this seemed to help.

GOOD LUCK! Keep trying, I finally don't tell people my age, I simply say "does it matter?"

VCUBen · Feb 8, 2009

I am currently in nursing school in my third year. I have been working in a 200 patient per day ER for almost a year and I really enjoy it. I can really relate to this post becasue i have been delegated to by nurses and doctors alike. I just hate when they compund the things to do like " I need vitals in 3 and an IV and EKG in 16 and someone else will give me their list. I dont know what nurses can do vitals as a part of their intial assesment sometimes. Oh well I also have found myself in a leadership role as far as techs go. we have been getting a new round of techs that i have had to instruct how to do it and they dont like it. I cant wait till i am a RN and my opinion actually counts

VCUBen · Feb 8, 2009

I am currently in nursing school in my third year. I have been working in a 200 patient per day ER for almost a year and I really enjoy it. I can really relate to this post becasue i have been delegated to by nurses and doctors alike. I just hate when they compund the things to do like " I need vitals in 3 and an IV and EKG in 16 and someone else will give me their list. I dont know what nurses can do vitals a sa part of their intial assesment sometimes. Oh well I also have found myself in a leadership role as far as techs go. we have been getting a new round of techs that i have had to instruct how to do it and they dont like it. I cant wait till i am a RN and my opinion actually counts

chicookie, BSN, RN · Feb 8, 2009

I HEAR YA BUDDY! I am 21 as well, however I was 18 when i got my LPN and I have been taking crap since then (both other staff and patients).
Hopefully your manager backed you up because that is RIDICULOUS. I understand that sometimes the tech and LPN experience can be helpful and beneficial and there is a lot to learn from them. I do understand that they have knowledge earned by there experience that I don't have, No I haven't been working for 20 years, that doesn't make my degree null and void and I do know what I am doing.
Make it clear that it is your hard earned license on the line. You are the care taker and they are being delegated to by you.
I get soooo sick of hearing " Your younger than my kids, how could you possibly know anything". I call the these Old hag nurse (mean I know) sorry... and prove to them that i do know what i am talking about! Unfortunatley sometimes you really have to use your assertive communication skills and make them understand that you won't tolerate them ignoring you. Some of the older techs that I worked with I tried really hard to create a team like effort while still being the person in charge, this seemed to help.
GOOD LUCK! Keep trying, I finally don't tell people my age, I simply say "does it matter?"

Yeah she stood by me. What sucks is that I don't always ask stuff from them. I try to do as much as I can by myself. Its only when I am overwhelmed. So I don't see why they won't do the little stuff sometimes. IDK. They will get over it eventually. I keep reminding myself that its only cause they don't know me.

inthesky · Feb 18, 2009

I remember when I was in nursing school, my older classmates always got more respect during clinicals because they looked the part. I'm 25, but I can pass for 18 and often get asked *if I am in school yet *if I can get their nurse *if I am the tech etc. Delegating is a huge problem. If I ask the tech to help me or give me advice, they resent it because they shouldn't be doing my job because I am paid so much more. If I tell the tech what I want done, they feel bossed around that they shouldn't have to listen to me because they know more than I do. *sigh*