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It's really sad to say but 90% of the RNs I work with dont value the LPN title. I feel like I'm still a PCT that gets blamed for everything bad, and never gets recognized for a job well done. Its like if youdont have RN behind your name at my facility, you're irrelevant. I figure when I complete the ASN program, I'll be able to remove the "just" before I state my title.
Has anyone else moved up from being a PCT or CNA to LPN and still feel low on the totem poll and unvalued?
Not true because then, you will become 'just' an associate-prepared RN to those who have the 'just' mentality. This is the same mentality that helped to push me from the LPN to the ASN to the BSN. There were other factors involved also, of course. You've heard the old adage '**** flows downhill"? Chances are, your supervisor may have been called onto the carpet for something that was not done correctly...I don't know. But there is a way to address the issues in a professional way. Whether or not it happens that way depends on the culture of the facility, in that if it's allowed to continue, it will. You can have your ASN or BSN or MSN or simply be the newcomer as being pulled, floated, or an agency nurse. If the facility has a culture of placing blame, blame WILL be placed. So, I say to you, keep your focus, do the best job you can, gain all the experience you can (it looks AWESOME on a resume'), and move on when the opportunity presents itself.
But a little helpful advice that will serve you well: if you are being blamed for something, ask yourself (regardless of how it's brought to your attention), did you really do what you are being accused of? If the answer is yes, though it may have been an oversight or accident, accept it and kill'em with kindness in your apology and offer a way of self-evaluating to prevent any repeats of the situation. They can't help but to respect you for your choice in comeback. If you are innocent, meet with your manager, voice your concerns/explain your side and thank them for bringing to your attention on what not to do in the situation. Again, they will respect you for your response.
#been there; done that; matter of time before it happens again because I'm still a human who just happens to be a nurse#
Thank you.
Also I wasn't saying that I have been blamed for anything specific. I was saying that the nurses would constantly blame the PCTs as a whole whenever our manager spoke about issues on the unit, because they felt like PCTs or anyone with a lesser title than theirs didn't know anything so they had to be the reason for any problems or mistakes.
Sorry, You're right. That was certainly a blanket statement. I meant that the field of nursing is rampant with bullying, hostility, unhappiness, etc. In fact, I just read an article about nurses who were interviewed regarding how they felt about their jobs relative to other jobs. One of the other jobs was an "anal wart inspector." Nurses said they'd rather do that than be a nurse.
What I am getting at is in this healthcare system that is absurdly hierchical, whereby nurses are at the bottom of the ladder; sadly, there is a "pecking order" so that many (not all) RNs (and this absolutely can't be anything else but insecurity mixed with anger and helplessness), will either viciously attack and bully other nurses (often the new ones), or those they manage; e.g., LPNs and CNAs. Numerous studies have shown this to be the case in nursing, or in any rank and file system, for that matter.
Yes, it's true. After many years - on and off - in nursing, I left. I say on and off because I have a couple of other careers (see below). I keep trying to get into my profile to clarify, but it is not allowing me to get in it for some reason. After working in just about every area except ER and CCU, I was so disgusted with the system and how management treated nurses and nurses treated each other, I left. So, do not assume I am uninformed because you are completely incorrect. My background/education includes 12 years as a medical writer/editor; two years as a licensed special education teacher; a couple years as a case manager; a bachelor's in Psychology and I am completing a masters now in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Oh, and a broker's license.
Yes, it's true. After many years - on and off - in nursing, I left. I say on and off because I have a couple of other careers (see below). I keep trying to get into my profile to clarify, but it is not allowing me to get in it for some reason. After working in just about every area except ER and CCU, I was so disgusted with the system and how management treated nurses and nurses treated each other, I left. So, do not assume I am uninformed because you are completely incorrect. My background/education includes 12 years as a medical writer/editor; two years as a licensed special education teacher; a couple years as a case manager; a bachelor's in Psychology and I am completing a masters now in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Oh, and a broker's license.
Um I made no assumptions about you. Can you please use the reply button so, you can properly address someone.
I've been a CNA for 7 years and am a new grad PN.
I've come to the conclusion that every title I could ever hold will be not good enough in the eyes of some people, but that's ok because that's not how I feel.
The reality is, a lot of people enjoy putting other people down for any reason they can muster, so try not to let it bother you.
Experienced nurses, both LPN and RN are always going to have something to teach. If they happen to also act like they're the king of the world, that's their issue.
Keep in mind, it happens to all nurses of all titles, someone always thinks they know more or are smarter. Just take what you need and leave the rest. :)
Yes, it's true. After many years - on and off - in nursing, I left. I say on and off because I have a couple of other careers (see below). I keep trying to get into my profile to clarify, but it is not allowing me to get in it for some reason. After working in just about every area except ER and CCU, I was so disgusted with the system and how management treated nurses and nurses treated each other, I left. So, do not assume I am uninformed because you are completely incorrect. My background/education includes 12 years as a medical writer/editor; two years as a licensed special education teacher; a couple years as a case manager; a bachelor's in Psychology and I am completing a masters now in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Oh, and a broker's license.
Soooooo if you're out of nursing, why are you still active on a NURSING forum? Obviously you don't like nursing enough to work it, so why even stick around spouting off inaccuracies (RNs being so insecure and such)?
And have you considered maybe you contributed to the problem of "how nurses treat each other" when you spout off said inaccuracies?
I worked on a subacute rehab floor for about 8 months as a new nurse. This unit had RNs and LPNs and only the RN could be charge nurse. So after 4 months on the job I was charge nurse. (It was not a full charge role because the charge RN had time to take an assignment). I never witnessed any disrespect between the LPNs and RNs however, some of the LPNs did gang together. Power in numbers? Certaim LPNs also gave the RNs a hard time about accepting assignments. For an LPN it was a sweet gig however compared to a nursing home with ratios up to 7 during the day and up to 8-9 at night and since it was based in the hospital there was access to hospital services.
HeySis, BSN, RN
435 Posts
When I got my LPN I had an RNs ask me why I wanted to be a "Let's Pretend Nurse" when I could have been a "Real Nurse".
But that was an isolated culture and once I worked somewhere else, I found things were different. So while I had one bad experience, I've had so many that were positive.
Sorry OP that you've had this bad experience... I would say it's not an RN/BSN thing, but a personal belief or facility culture. I hope you are able to find a position where all the team members respect each other.