RN vs. LPN the war continues

[CapeCodMermaid]

I'm the DNS of a small skilled facility. The nurse manager was hired long before I started. She is an LPN. I have no issues with LPNs in general, but given the choice, the acuity of the residents, and the CMS 5 star rating system which gives more stars to facilities with RNs, I would rather have as many RNs as possible. We have a newly created position. We are a union building and have to post every position. I have 2 people interested. One is a brand new LPN and the other is an experienced RN. The nurse manager doesn't like the RN and tries to find fault with everything she does. She loves the LPN (who has worked less than 10 shifts for us). She told me that she has decided to give the job to the LPN because she likes her. I told her I would rather have an RN for a variety of reasons. So now she's going around to the other staff and telling them she is 'over her' because I have a bad attitude about LPNs. I am at the end of my rope with this woman. She decides who she likes personally and who she doesn't and her personal opinions get in the way of everyone's work. The RN is not perfect (hmmm are you? am I?) but she has experience. Any ideas out there. I know it's a rambling post and no one can make this call but me, but are any of you going through anything similar?

[evette74]

Your charge nurse could be a very serious problem for you in the future. Obviously the RN is much more qualified for the position than the LPN because of she has more experience. This is obvious. People cannot be placed in positions simply because you like them. As the DNS you must stand your ground and choose who is more qualified for the job. And if your charge nurse has a problem with that then she can find another job. You also need to be careful with people like your charge nurse. They will bring down morale at your facility and turn staff against you.

Watch Her!!!

[NursePatsy]

Listen to your "gut"....the "gut" is never wrong.

I recently went to an all day quality improvement seminar. Much focus was put on 'Hire for attitude'. If the potential employee is qualified, then anyone can be taught skills. The undertone of this seminar was - happy staff make for happy residents and vice versa.

Hope this helps.

[LeLeeFNP]

if this is just a staff position they are going for i say give it to the LPN. It is more profitable for your facility as LPNs make less money. In a skilled nursing facility an LPN is more than capable of performing the job duties and from a business standpoint it is more likely that the LPN will stay in the staff role longer than an RN as RNs always have a lot more opportunity. This may not be the most ethical, but from a business standpoint (which most administration would take into account) the LPN is definately the smarter choice.

[tewdles, RN]

If those type of decisions are in her job description then let her make it. That is the respectful thing to do. If she makes a wrong choice she will learn from it. If she has made a good choice everybody wins. Either way, you will not be perceived as a micromanaging elitist and the staff will be spared the melodrama of the disagreement.

[schroeders_piano, RN]

As I read this, the first thought that came to my mind was you are the DNS. If you want the RN, then hire the RN. It's not a RN vs. LPN thing. It's an experience thing. I would hire the nurse with experience.

As a former DNS, the moment I learned of the nurse manager bad-mouthing me, they would be in my office and given a choice to either support me and my decisions or find a new job. You cannot have middle management undermining you.

[CapeCodMermaid, RN]

OKAY....this post can go away. The issue is over. I hired the best nurse for the position. It is MY decision at the end of the day and I made it. Thanks for all your comments.