RNs superior???

avahnel, ASN, RN · Oct 23, 2008

I worked as a unit sec at a hospital for 2 years. At my hospital the LPNs were treated the same on the floor as most of the RNs especially because they stopped hiring LPNs so the only ones who were there had tons of experience. The only think they could not do was spike the bag to give a blood transfussion, and a few IV pushes. It was the administration that treated them diffrently. The Nurse Supervisor for the hospital once started a meeting by saying "Good morning to all the nurses and LPN's here" One of the LPN's said maybe she didn't know the last letter in LPN stands for NURSE lol!! I decided to become a nurse because of an LPN that I worked with, but could not find an LPN school close so I am getting an ADN.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Oct 23, 2008

Nursing has the most peculiar culture of any field in which I have ever worked. I thinkTheCommuter has used the "crabs in a bucket" analogy - if one starts climbing out the others claw it back down.

Nurses do it to one another constantly. My DON said to me today, "Getting off the floor is the smartest thing you ever did."

That said, I am taking the RN boards in about a month. It took me about 20 minutes to realize that I could not accept being in such a subordinate position to people with a grand total of one year's more education who would lord it over me.

I don't think so.

picurn10 · Oct 23, 2008

That said, I am taking the RN boards in about a month. It took me about 20 minutes to realize that I could not accept being in such a subordinate position to people with a grand total of one year's more education who would lord it over me.
I don't think so.

to answer a pp's question about pay, in my area LPN's make about $3-5 less per hour than RN's. For example, at the hospital I hope to work at LPN pay is $22.50/hr starting and RN is $25/hr. I was surprised to learn there was such a small gap, but in my area the vast majority of hospitals still employ LPN's and use them in their full scope of practice :up: I'd be really frustrated to find I wasn't able to use my skills once on the floor. I know of at least one hospital that even lets LPN's hang blood.

SunnyAndrsn · Oct 23, 2008

I've just recently encountered this attitude, sadly several times this week. Today we were getting our transitions assignment, and one of our clinical instructors told us "you're going to have more responsiblity than you ever had, and yet you will still have that 'student protection'. Make sure you act like professionals."

Many of us are LPNs, finishing our RNs. Many of us working as LPNs did so at the end of our first year at the encouragement of our instructors!!! And now they tell us this. Overy 80% of the class is working, and ofter 50% of the class are non-traditional students.

I found both the responsibility comment and the professional comment a little insulting. I realize it was a canned speech, but inside I was saying "I am already a professional, a Licensed Professional Nurse".

The other situation was at work, and I was disappointed. The atmosphere has been changing with the hiring of a new RN. We got a big lecture in our nurse's meeting on this, I was terribly disappointed. Yeah, I get the scope of practice, yeah, I get the differences in licensing, but that was not the issue. Ugh.

Vent over.

Ok, I have a really good friend that just graduated LPN school and is an awesome person and a amazing nurse. Sadly, since she has started her new job, she has been degraded for being an LPN.Apparently where she works, they just recently started hiring more LPNs, but do not give them the respect they deserve. They have been told by an RN that they are not " Real Nurses." They are not allowed to do many skills that are in the scope of their practice. She sounded soo sad when I talked to her and I keep telling she needs to do something about it. I do not agree with the ignorant mentality that LPNs are not "real nurses." What makes some RNs think they are superior to treat someone soo aweful? For her, I think it is a combination of the hospital she works for and certain people's ignorance.I could never degrade someone. Although I will be proud to have my RN title when I receive it, it will not make me superior!

soulofme · Oct 23, 2008

I don't care if they're an RN, LVN, LPN, Moe, Larry or Curly...as long as they do their job Im happy to work with 'em!

ange26s · Oct 24, 2008

Thanx for your postings! I told my friend to check this site out. And I agree the attitude may be from low self-esteem or the fear of change. Delegation does seem kinda scary, but my instructors told us after learning how to do it properly it will make life so much better! They also said it will build a good work relationship when you share responsibilities. I told my friend she should do something about it. At our hospital, LPNs are treated fairly, and the only things they do not do are the things that are out of their scope. They are needed and wanted as much as the RNs.