KatBRN

Thank you for the kind comments. I think anyone who has to belittle another, whether they are a CEO, Doctor, etc., has self-esteem issues. I basically do not like working with those who are just plain arrogant and lazy, no matter what their title. When you work with a great group who all contribute, it is a win-win situation. I am teaching my young son to do the right thing even when it is difficult, and because being a good mom is important to me, I must also do the right thing in my professional and personal life. Everyone who feels valued, automatically strive to do better. As an RN I feel part of my job is to make sure my co-workers feel valued by me!

Maybe the reason I work well with LPNs and CNAs is that for most of my career I did not work with them since I was a primary care nurse in critical care and step down units in the US. When I came back to Canada, I was so used to doing everything myself that the LPNs were constantly reminding me that they were there to help me. I am still uncomfortable with telling someone else to go do something while I sit at the desk. I see it done by other RNs, but I do not do this. As a result, I work with staff that are happy when they are assigned to work with me, and we usually have great shifts working together. I have had more problems with other RNs slacking off and not pulling their weight! As I was reading the many negative respponses about RNs, I was getting defensive until I realized that much of what was said is true! I am not like that, but sadly many RNs are. It just makes it difficult for those of us who do work hard. And in Canada, I think the LPNs are LONG OVERDUE for a raise! This is a difficult and back breaking job, and I would like to see upper management come down off their high horses and see what it is like to work this hard.

I think it is important to always be considerate of each other, and whatever your job is. LPNs, CNAs, and RNs will all have stories that make the other look bad. That is not productive. In the hospital, we are all necessary, and nothing good comes from thinking you are better than or less than another person. That applies in life too, we all have value.

I am a Registerd Nurse working on a large Family Practice unit. We have RNs, LPNs, and PCAs employed there. I work right along with the staff, doing anything that needs to be done. Our LPNs are hard-working and knowledgeable. I do know of a few RNs who feel they are above certain tasks, and feel it is appropriate to delegate those tasks. I do not. But I do take exception to the writer who says she hates it when the med nurse refuses to give a bedpan, and that it only takes a second. When I am doing the meds on our large, team care, floor, I cannot answer all the bells or I will NOT get the meds done! It takes extreme concentration. Studies have proved that a med nurse who is consistantly interrupted has a high likelyhood of errors. There are po, im, pr, iv, s/c meds, controlled substances, and many meds are powerful and potentially dangerous. Most of the patients are elderly, and question each and every pill. Much teaching must be done. I need to assess how each patient is tolerating their meds, if they can safely swallow, and are there any side effects or allergies. This requires my full attention. I cannot and should not multitask. I will respond to emergent situations, but the other staff have their designated jobs and that is what they should do. When I am not on the meds there are no jobs I will not do because I am an "RN". It is not fair to categorize someone until you understand the full scope of their job. It is not that I feel I am above giving a bedpan, or warm blanket, but giving meds to 15 patients, who ALL feel they should have them at the same time, is very stressful. I have heard more than one LPN say they did not become RNs because they did not want the responsiblity. Well the buck stops with the RN. Med errors are a serious outcome for both the patient and the nurse, and I take that responsibility very seriously.