RN being bullied by LVN

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So, I have been an RN for a few years, with both hospital and home health experience. Let's just say I am well aware of my strengths and weaknesses by now. Currently, I am a private duty nurse at night, and only have one other nurse to give report to during the day. Since I have started, this LVN (not that the title matters to me, as I see us both as equal in the nursing world) has made condescending remarks towards RNs (even after acknowledging that I'm one of them), such as "yeah, I thought she was an RN, so I ASSUMED she would have her s*** together, but apparently not!", and "As an RN, [insert numerous insults here]". Anywho, her background is a few years in private duty nursing and a short time in psych. We seemed to get along ok at first, even after she made the first RN comment, but then I soon felt as though she started bullying me. She has been with our patient (her only current patient) for about 2 years. I don't know if it's bc this is her only pt that she chooses to nit-pick every aspect of this patient's care in a very derogatory manner, or if she feels some hatred toward me as an RN, but she loves to leave me little "love notes" almost every shift, basically pointing out every. Single. Thing. That she thinks I did wrong. Not only will she point it out and write a novel about how it NEEDS to be from now on, but she always includes a whole paragraph attempting to teach me why it needs to be done that way....

I'm sorry, not only do I find this annoying, but I feel insulted that she feels the urge to teach me something I already know, as a nurse. Perhaps I left something not exactly perfect or to her liking by the end of my 10 hr shift, but I have never done anything to jeopardize the patient or to constitute a written lecture on how to be a nurse. I honestly don't know if she means well or if she is trying to bring an RN down to make herself feel superior as an LVN. I normally would never think that (as I have respect for ALL nurses alike), but the way she has exuded such a negative perspective of RNs, she makes me feel so bad for being a peasant RN, like I don't deserve the title, since I can't meet her ridiculous OCD standards.

Am I overreacting or being hypersensitive?

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).
I have been an RN for a few years

I find this annoying

like I don't deserve the title, since I can't meet her ridiculous OCD standards.

Am I overreacting or being hypersensitive?

I commend you, BDBSNRN, on taking ownership for your feelings.

Perhaps you could take a little more ownership of your subjective perspective.

This sounds like a clash of personalities.

Thank goodness you don't have to work with the other nurse, you only need to meet in passing.

I think you can best answer your own questions.

The best to you, BDBSNRN!

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Thank you for responding! :) I mostly just needed to vent, but I certainly appreciate your two cents. This nurse and I definitely don't mesh well personality-wise, as she is very meticulous and serious, as I am more relaxed and have kind of a "hey, I'm just glad we didn't have a crazy emergency" attitude. Maybe our backgrounds have made us so different, as well. I feel like having hospital/floor nursing experience makes you more focused on clinically critical aspects of patient care, as opposed to having all your undivided attention on one single patient for years and noticing when even one hair is out of place.

But yes, I am also thankful we do not have to interact with each other, beyond report, because even that is painful at times. Sometimes I leave my shift just rolling my eyes and shaking my head.

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Specializes in Cardiac Stepdown, PCU.

I'd crumble her "notes" righrright in the trash without reading them. It's about all they are worth. If she says something tell her thanks but you have your own way of doing things.

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I love that idea, immortalessence! Haha! Wish I could, but I'm sure she would just write me a longer note next shift, telling me why I NEED her notes and how I didn't even crumble the note correctly prior to tossing it in the trash. I'm glad you can understand my annoyance on this one. Not to mention, she starts out every note with "MAKE SURE..." -_-

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Sometimes in PDN nurses get very picky and protective, especially if they have been with that patient for a long time. They can become too attached and feel like that child is their own. This often reflects in their attitude. I have experienced this first hand. Typically agencies will do nothing about it.

Your choice is either to deal with this nonsense or ask to be transferred to another case.

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I don't think this is a bullying situation.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

This behavior is so common in the world of PDN. I am a MSN-RN (working on a doctorate) and work PDN as a second job because I like it and I like my client. All of the other nurses on my case are LPNs. We don't have any problems on this case, but I have worked cases (and left them) where one person must mark their territory and establish themselves as AlphaNurse.

I used to chalk it up to wanting the best for the client. Now I see it as a manifestation of insecurity. (I was an LPN at one time- so no flames) There is a certain sub-set of LPNs who feel victimized by the title. It's the only way I can think of to express this. Mercifully, they are few and far between.

There are also ADNs and BSNs and MSNs and DNPs and PhDs with this same issue toward the next degree-holder up the ladder. I actually think it has little to do with nursing- if they were in any other line of work, it would manifest itself.

PS: The note crushing is great!

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I used to not think so either, but I omitted many other examples of how she has belittled me in front of the mother of the client, as well. I am always accepting of constructive criticism, especially since I'm less than 5 yrs deep into nursing, but when the criticism becomes more frequent and derogatory overtime, that's when I feel bullied. Especially since she made it clear how she feels about RNs.

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I used to not think so either, Libby1987 but I omitted many other examples of how she has belittled me in front of the mother of the client, as well. I am always accepting of constructive criticism, especially since I'm less than 5 yrs deep into nursing, but when the criticism becomes more frequent and derogatory overtime, that's when I feel bullied. Especially since she made it clear how she feels about RNs.

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Meanmaryjean, first off, congrats on all of your accomplishments and good luck with your doctorate! :) I believe you hit the nail right on the head. Too attached, AlphaNurse syndrome. That may explain why all other nurses for the past 2 years have never stayed for more than 2 months with this client. Heck, I just finished an interview for another company myself, haha. As xoemmylouox stated, I have the choice to either deal with it or transfer...so I chose to transfer :)

Thanks for the input and perspectives, you guys! Best wishes to you all :)

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You're not going to change her behavior. I'm sure the agency does NOT want her "belittling" you in front of the client.

You can either take THAT up with management , or request another assignment and let them know why.

Why hasn't the agency noted the 2 month pattern???

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