I'm a School Nurse - RN. I work in an office with an LPN...side-by-side. This is our 3rd year working together. I've been in the district for 15 years, previously an ER nurse.
The LPN has been in the district for 26 years. I've worked with other LPNs and did not have this. She constantly wants to present that she's the nurse in charge. She takes over conversations, just tries to take over everything and every situation, unless it's a touchy situation, then she'll throw it my way. I cannot have a conversation with anyone, about anything that she isn't taking over. She does not like to leave me alone, ever.
She constantly has to be in control of everything. She exagerates her nursing knowledge & experiences for attention. I do not want to leave my school, and I was here for 3 years before she was assigned here.
I try to focus on her good qualities, but often she does not know her boundries. I try to "gingerly" explain when I feel she's saying something beyond her/our scope, but I do have to chose my battles.
She has a very stong personality, and our district Admin. will not touch her. If she's happy here, then she'll be here! I guess I'm just looking for some coping strategies, because I do not think either of us are going anywhere.
Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).
floydnightingale said:
Guess I stepped in that one but I honestly haven't heard of LPNs in any context outside of nursing homes for over 25 years. Any reputable hospital is insisting on BSNs as a minimum education if the can get them.
The OP works as a school nurse. While LPNs generally aren't working in most hospitals, I have seen them in many other settings, such as nursing homes and primary care.
Guess I stepped in that one but I honestly haven't heard of LPNs in any context outside of nursing homes for over 25 years. Any reputable hospital is insisting on BSNs as a minimum education if the can get them.
This may be the case in your area but not most. In my area, at least 75% of RNs are ADNs and are some of the best nurses I know. There certainly is value in a BSN degree, especially for management jobs. But it is in no way a must have for staff nurse jobs.
In my experience, when this occurs it is typically a person who resents someone else for having achieved something they haven't. I've seen techs (especially older ones) treat nurses this way, nurses do the same to NPs, and staff nurses to newly promoted charge nurses. Typically the person doing it also has a strong personality and thinks the person on the other end is too mild mannered to address it. I've been on the receiving end of this more than once (I actually have a very strong personality but am very polite and friendly so ppl underestimate it at first). The only solution is to politely but firmly confront it. Don't punt to a manager, team meeting, HR, etc - that only says that you can't fight your own battles and invites further bullying. And by all means please don't leave a job you otherwise love! In my experience, every single time I've confronted this person I've never had another problem with them. And in a couple cases have gone on to have a good working relationship. As to how to do it, be polite and nice but firm. If you think this is intentional, then I make it a sit down to discuss the entire situation. If you think maybe it's not fully intentional (a little bit but also maybe doesn't realize how she comes across?) then I would wait until the next issue arises and very firmly hold your ground. If she questions it, reaffirm that you are the RN and this is your call. It may be hard but she will get the message. Hope it works and things get better! Keep us posted.
I am an LPN dealing with an RN supervisor who is exactly like this. She is just abrasive, contrarian, just overall an unpleasant domineering person who thinks she knows best. Fortunately for me I work in a unit with several other LPNs so it gets spread around on everybody which gives us a break to keep her busy sometimes and makes things tolerable. We all try to avoid her as much as possible. If I had to be side by side with her in an office I could not deal with this. The problem with this is that the issue is so hard to articulate and put your finger on. There is this tension that you know is there but it is questionable whether the things she does would be a complaint worthy offense. It is a combination of a bunch of small things that add up and makes things very difficult. The challenge is that bringing up this issue to HR and working on it is going to require labor on the receiver's part and there is a chance there will be no change and now you will have to continue working with her with the hostility that she knows you reported her. In my case I don't have time for all that labor and report writing so I just live with it and let it roll off my back. In your case you might have a different situation and especially because you are pretty much trapped with her in an office all day. sorry I don't have any suggestions I just wanted to validate your experience, It's so frustrating!
In our district, all the school nurses are supposed to be RNs. However they employee LPNs in other capacities. I work as the discipline office nurse. I sometimes get called to cover the regular clinic, but I guess I'm lucky because the RN who runs that and I have always had a good relationship.
Guess I stepped in that one but I honestly haven't heard of LPNs in any context outside of nursing homes for over 25 years. Any reputable hospital is insisting on BSNs as a minimum education if the can get them.
I get it. I was an LPN for 10 years before I became an RN and the reason I did so was because I was so limited in positions. My only options were nursing homes and physician offices. All of the hospitals in my area were going Magnet and all nursing staff were required to go back to school and complete it in 3 years or jobless. I have worked with many wonderful LPNs and loved being one myself. But..... as an LPN I recognized that the RN was my superior.
I know this is an old post. Having read "Floyd's" comment and the responses I can say it really depends on the area you live; the state you live in, etc. Here in NJ, LPNs are not utilized as much except nursing homes. Most of the hospitals have gone Magnet status and good luck having them look your way if you're an RN without a bachelor's degree. In fact, many - if not most- nursing jobs in my area want a BSN and some sort of certification in the area you are interested in.
I think the push for ever expanding degrees and certs has caused a lot of folks who started their careers years ago to feel undervalued and their many years of experience to feel undervalued. So they become defensive and many older ones do not want to go back to school with all the expense and time involved when they are 10-15 yrs or less away from retirement (which is understandable).
I would let the LPN know you value her and her experience but you do not feel she is valuing yours and your position. Let her know you are interested in having a good working relationship with her based on mutual respect. (Hopefully this was ironed out by now for you and did not lead to you leaving your job.) Good luck.
I have also worked with nurses like this. I've met LPNs who are have so much experience and knowledge you would think they're RNs. But some of these LPNs never really rubbed it in my face. Sometimes I would forget that they are LPNs. Though there are a few who can be arrogant. Nonetheless, regardless the title or license we should all be supportive of each other.
Guess I stepped in that one but I honestly haven't heard of LPNs in any context outside of nursing homes for over 25 years. Any reputable hospital is insisting on BSNs as a minimum education if the can get them.
My husband is an LPN working in a clinic, just because you haven't heard them outside NH doesn't mean they cannot work somewhere else. Please be mindful.
FullGlass, BSN, MSN, NP
2 Articles; 1,950 Posts
The OP works as a school nurse. While LPNs generally aren't working in most hospitals, I have seen them in many other settings, such as nursing homes and primary care.