The letters on my badge doesn't trump your experience! ughh

Published

Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, ER, Peds ER-CPEN.

Lately I've been taking report at night from the same nurse. yet if I have a question her stock answer is "YOU'RE the RN!" umm yeah ok so my badge says RN (I've only been licensed since July, I'm still learning ALOT!) and hers says LPN (5yrs med/surg experience), that doesn't mean jack sometimes when it comes down to floor experience and me having a patient that has some med or disorder that is new me! When it comes to knowledge and patient care the RN on my badge do not indicate "knows it all" (ok so there might be a few out there like that, they just aren't on our floor lol), just answer the question if you can, if you don't know just say you don't know :banghead: not to mention if she knows I'm following her, she'll leave stuff undone because "The RN can do it better" yeah I don't buy into that one bit and luckily neither does my NM

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

One of my pet peeves is that people naturally assume that because a person has "RN" behind their name, they are pressured to comprehend and have all of the answers more than anyone else. When an LPN and RN new grad first walks on the scene, they are both NEW NURSES green behind the ears. In addition, we master the areas where we gained more experience. I am an LPN that works in a clinic, so, I know this inside out. A med-surg RN may know her area inside out, but may be lost in the clinic because the procedures are different. We do bring our experiences and talents with us to build on, but comments like that borderline on bullying and intimidation. This is the main reason why I say that there is room at the table for all to partake. There are skills, ideas and talents that all nursing titles can contribute to patient care.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice, ER.

Sour grapes! She sounds jealous. Leaving things undone is not professional behavior. She knows you are new. She is taking advantage of that fact. If you don't want to or can't pursue your RN, that is fine, but don't take it out on others who do have an RN, or, even worse, provide substandard patient care. Does she act like this with experienced nurses? This behavior gives LPNs a bad name.:o

Hang in there.

Deb

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Passive-aggressive jealousy manifesting itself.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Good for you for having a sense of humility and perspective. I agree that she may be jealous, but I may take a different approach.......Why don't you tell her exactly what you told us---I bet ya she would be very flattered and may even stop saying that and things may even get better. If not, well, you were the bigger person. ;)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, ER, Peds ER-CPEN.
Good for you for having a sense of humility and perspective. I agree that she may be jealous, but I may take a different approach.......Why don't you tell her exactly what you told us---I bet ya she would be very flattered and may even stop saying that and things may even get better. If not, well, you were the bigger person. ;)

That was the very first thing I tried and it continued, next time I'm taking the NM's advice and writing an incident report when she leaves an order undone, last time I thankfully didn't follow her but another RN did and she had recieved an order for a foley at 1400 and by 1930 "the RN could do it better" so that's a write up right there, she pulls the same song and dance with all the RN's and we're tired of it, but for some reason the NM on days has a soft spot for her

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
That was the very first thing I tried and it continued, next time I'm taking the NM's advice and writing an incident report when she leaves an order undone, last time I thankfully didn't follow her but another RN did and she had recieved an order for a foley at 1400 and by 1930 "the RN could do it better" so that's a write up right there, she pulls the same song and dance with all the RN's and we're tired of it, but for some reason the NM on days has a soft spot for her

I know an LPN like her. Everything that comes out of her mouth is "The RNs this, the RNs that...", what they do, what they don't do, how she is smarter than they are, etc... It is really sickening to me, and she wonders why I don't participate in the tirade. I told her that I never planned to be an RN, the current responsibilities I have as an are enough and I can't say for sure what I would do if I had to make their decisions...sometimes, mine may not be that popular, either. I am comfortable in my role, I feel we can all learn from each other, and I am not wasting my time and energy on this.

Mind you, many of these embittered LPNs are in complete shock when they actually become RNs and say "Wow..." because the grass is not always greener on the other side. I am not saying it is horrible to be an RN. However, I do acknowledge that more weight falls on their shoulders because of the assumption that everything should come natural to them, and that is just plan wrong. We should try and make things easier, not worse for each other.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospice, ER.

Ok, she sounds plain old lazy. If she were an RN, then there would be some other excuse why the order did not get done. "I was on the phone taking orders all day!" "It was soooooooooooo busy today!" It's totally inexcusable to let a patient go for 5 1/2 hours with out a foley. The day NM can't protect her license for her.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER,ICU,L+D,OR.
Passive-aggressive jealousy manifesting itself.

I love people with passive aggressive personalities. I really do. I enjoy them. I enjoy the banter that goes with them. I never take them seriously. I really am amused by them.

Peace Love Out

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.

Sorry you have to put up with that passive aggressive crap.

I have worked with a LPN who never went back for her RN. She was a better nurse than some of the other RN's I worked with. She had so many different experiences. I would ask her questions and she the same of me. I would want her to take care of me or my family if they were on her med surg unit.

What you are describing is lazy and unacceptable.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I love people with passive aggressive personalities. I really do. I enjoy them. I enjoy the banter that goes with them. I never take them seriously. I really am amused by them.

Peace Love Out

They get on my last nerve.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro ICU and Med Surg.
I love people with passive aggressive personalities. I really do. I enjoy them. I enjoy the banter that goes with them. I never take them seriously. I really am amused by them.

Peace Love Out

I just don't have the patience for that crap. Glad they amuse you, but they annoy the crap out of me.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion