Noticing a trend RN's dislike nursing LPN's love it?

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2007

I'm an LVN and, while I plan to pursue the RN licensure, there are numerous aspects of nursing that I have found utterly unappealing.

In addition, there are RNs who truly enjoy what they do for a living.

The LPN/LVN role is physically, emotionally, and socially challenging, because we have plenty of accountability with less pay and prestige than other members of the healthcare team. However, the LPN/LVN role can be less stressful because I take comfort in the knowledge that I do not have the ultimate acountability.

The RN role is physically, emotionally, socially, and politically challenging, because they have the ultimate accountability within the interdisciplinary nursing food chain (CNA, LPN, RN, etc). The buck stops with the RN, even if the LPN is the only person in the facility at the time. The RN must come up with the final answer, which can add to stress, resentment, and burnout if the nurse is not equipped to deal with that level of responsibility.

Fiona59 · Sep 18, 2007

I don't see it among RNs who are my age and graduated in the '70s and '80s. I think it is more prevalent in the BScN generation. It seems as with each year that degree eduation becomes mandatory for entry to practise in Canada, that new RNs want to go into management, education, or ICU roles. They appear not to want to do bedside nursing.

PN's are the bedside nurses now. We graduate with more skills than RNs did 20 years ago. Our practise is limited only by our employer and that is changing daily up here. Health authorities have discovered they are neglecting to utilize a group of educated and able nurses who are good value for money. The difference is about $12/hr between an RN and a PN.

In some provinces, with the latest round of wage settlements it almost appears that RNs are pricing themselves out of the employment market (from the employers point of view and from many other workers as well).

In my province, the legislation governing our practice makes it very clear we work under our own license and insurance and are the only person responsible for our actions.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Sep 18, 2007

I'm an LVN and, while I plan to pursue the RN licensure, there are numerous aspects of nursing that I have found utterly unappealing.
In addition, there are RNs who truly enjoy what they do for a living.
The LPN/LVN role is physically, emotionally, and socially challenging, because we have plenty of accountability with less pay and prestige than other members of the healthcare team. However, the LPN/LVN role can be less stressful because I take comfort in the knowledge that I do not have the ultimate acountability.
The RN role is physically, emotionally, socially, and politically challenging, because they have the ultimate accountability within the interdisciplinary nursing food chain (CNA, LPN, RN, etc). The buck stops with the RN, even if the LPN is the only person in the facility at the time. The RN must come up with the final answer, which can add to stress, resentment, and burnout if the nurse is not equipped to deal with that level of responsibility.

Worded very well. That is the main reason I don't wish to become an RN. They are the last man standing, and I am sure that is uncomfortable; at least it would be for me. However, having a bad RN to work under is not easy, either, because they can manipulate the situation towards the LPN if it suits their needs to cover themselves...they have somehow placed blame on the LPN when they, themselves have bombed out.

Our hospital is applying for magnet at this time, and they have just about ignored us, but have also dragged us in the process. Most of the LPNs at my job feel that if we are not considered to be nurses, why should we be memorizing and taking responsibility for the magnet forces the same as they, but yet, are barely acknowledged?? My facility has gone as far as to place banners with pictures of RNs all outside of the hospital, and not ONE LPNs picture was placed there. I would not have wanted mine up there for the world to see, anyway, but, it was a sure sign of how they really see us.

For me, I let it roll off of my back. I am in it for the patients. I enjoy being a nurse without all of the fanfare and heavy expectations. It has been profitable for me thus far and I am happy.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Sep 18, 2007

I don't see it among RNs who are my age and graduated in the '70s and '80s. I think it is more prevalent in the BScN generation. It seems as with each year that degree eduation becomes mandatory for entry to practise in Canada, that new RNs want to go into management, education, or ICU roles. They appear not to want to do bedside nursing.
PN's are the bedside nurses now. We graduate with more skills than RNs did 20 years ago. Our practise is limited only by our employer and that is changing daily up here. Health authorities have discovered they are neglecting to utilize a group of educated and able nurses who are good value for money. The difference is about $12/hr between an RN and a PN.
In some provinces, with the latest round of wage settlements it almost appears that RNs are pricing themselves out of the employment market (from the employers point of view and from many other workers as well).
In my province, the legislation governing our practice makes it very clear we work under our own license and insurance and are the only person responsible for our actions.

Very true! The more higher the education, the further they go away from the bedside. The conditions are not the best in most places, which leads to frustration. I am not sure if the RNs are pricing themselves out just yet, but, I do see another resurge of promoting LPNs in the market again. We have not suffered here in New York, though. We still have numerous opportunities here.

linzz · Sep 18, 2007

I must say that I have noticed this trend to a certain extent but I must agree with Fiona59, it is usually the group who wishes to stay away from bedside nursing or feel that they will only be happy in a certain specialty area. In Ontario, we are still fighting the versatility of the LPN (RPN) here. It is just exasperating at times and this is why if I could, I would run as far and as fast from Ontario and run toward Alberta.

Butterflybee · Sep 18, 2007

encouraging...