Why Does It Seem That RN's Hate Us and Hospitals Don't Believe In Us??

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 12, 2005

RNs don't hate LPNs.

Please, please don't flame me for this because I've never been an LPN, but I work with RN students and LPN students. We just had a bunch of LPN students on their last clinicals and I could definately tell a difference in their learning of pathophys and A&P compared to the ADN and BSN students. Of course that kind of makes sense as the RN students have more detail and time.

So to me I don't think the LPN and RN education is differed by only a few assessment and leadership courses. The A&P and patho. is much more advanced in the RN programs.

Because of the students I've worked with lately, I'm on the fence about whether this education is enough for the complex situations in the hospital. But I see LPNs function just fine every day and work with some awesome ones with good assessment skills, etc. etc. etc.

Flame me if you will, I can take it.

(I will always be greatful for the kind LPNs who took me under their wing when I was a new grad and showed me the ropes and helped me out, even though I supposed to be in charge and a leader. I have the utmost respect for them.)

brown eyed girl · Dec 12, 2005

All I can do is speak for the program that I have just graduated from. It was required for us to take college level gen. psych, develop. psych and english higher than an introduction to the subject. Yes I understand and full know that the A&P for the ADN AND BSN ARE MORE IN DEPTH and that d/t the set-up of the program we are unable to take the other science classes. I just want to understand why it seems that nobody knows what to do with us! All nurses are worthy and should be recognized because I know that we can all learn from each other as long as we are willing to learn; and yes I know it's not all about the money. What good does the money do if you have a highly paid nurse regardless of title, who treats you like crap and doesn't have a clue how to perform her job and a lesser paid nurse who knows his/her stuff and gives you the care and compassion that you need and deserve? WOULD IT REALLY MATTER TO YOU WHAT THEIR TITLE WAS AND HOW MUCH MONEY THEY MADE IF YOU WERE THE PATIENT 24 HRS POST-OP?

swimer · Dec 12, 2005

What good does the money do if you have a highly paid nurse regardless of title, who treats you like crap and doesn't have a clue how to perform her job and a lesser paid nurse who knows his/her stuff and gives you the care and compassion that you need and deserve? WOULD IT REALLY MATTER TO YOU WHAT THEIR TITLE WAS AND HOW MUCH MONEY THEY MADE IF YOU WERE THE PATIENT 24 HRS POST-OP?

Yeah, I would have to say I'm on the fence with this, but know where you're coming from. I know from my experience, I have been told by many of my patients, that they would rather take a LPN (lowest paid nurse..haha) over a RN b/c of the passion & care they have received vs the RN who "seems like she doesn't have any time for me". I am not saying that I do a better job, b/c I know how much MORE an RN has to do that is "out of my scope". That IS why I have the "time" to comfort and talk with my patients.

Harleygirl · Dec 12, 2005

I am an RN but technically I am still an LPN as well. I had to get that license before I could get my current one!

I was an LPN for 7 years before I took my RN boards. Scope of practice is somewhat different, however the basics of nursing are the same.

The biggest thing I noticed when I became an RN after being an LPN so many years was as an RN, I "got it". I compare my experience in LPN school to medic classes, they teach you to look at your patient and see signs and symptoms and you try to link up the disease with what you are seeing. RN school digs a little deeper, in that now you see the signs and symptoms of the patient, link up the disease, and know more in depth what that disease is, how it occurs, symptoms, what to expect in the future, what other things it could cause...etc.

I would never trade my time as an LPN or the things LPN's taught me when I worked as a CNA.

I like to say it doesn't matter what your initials are behind your name, CNA, LPN, RN, BSN, even DO or MD. We all serve a particular purpose and we all have a job to do.

Harleygirl

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 14, 2005

Yeah, I would have to say I'm on the fence with this, but know where you're coming from. I know from my experience, I have been told by many of my patients, that they would rather take a LPN (lowest paid nurse..haha) over a RN b/c of the passion & care they have received vs the RN who "seems like she doesn't have any time for me". I am not saying that I do a better job, b/c I know how much MORE an RN has to do that is "out of my scope". That IS why I have the "time" to comfort and talk with my patients.

In another thread, one of the posters had correctly stated that nursing is an art AND a science. This art involves human traits such as empathy, trustworthiness, compassion, honesty, and attentiveness. I am highly supportive of higher education; however, no amount of education is going to help each individual nurse practice his/her art. A highly-educated nurse will be much more proficient on the scientific aspects of nursing, but only a special person possesses the capability of delivering that caring touch.

Too many nurses forget about their art.

rebel_red · Dec 15, 2005

Yeah that.

a big YEAH THAT........... :banghead:

Kidrn911 · Dec 15, 2005

As for Lpn verses RN. When I worked med surg some of the best nurses were LPN I loved them they taught me well, mainly because they have been doing it 20 some years. I have had met many LPN that would would make great RN but they refuse to go back to school because they don't want to be in charge, that is a shame and a cop out.

Where I worked the last 4 years, there are no LPN's. This has been at 3 different pediactric hospitals.

As for ADN and BSN. I have never seen the prejudice amoung them as I have seen with the LPN and RN.

I have just an ADN and that is all I want. Having an ADN and BSN is not much different in pay or duties. The biggest difference I have seen is $.70, most is often a $.25. That was in 2 big cities. I still will be in charge with my little ADN of a 18 bed ER level 1 trauma unit and be over BSN, and MSN. It is not a problem.

icugirl33 · Dec 18, 2005

In most facilities, charging is the highest you will ever get to with an ADN. So as you are charging over BSN & MSN's but soon one of them will be your manager or administrator. So education does count in the long run, trust me.

unknown99, BSN, RN · Dec 18, 2005

I was an LPN for 19 years prior to getting my RN. I never experienced anything like the OP described. I got my RN because my goal is to become a nurse educator, which I am working on right now.

As an RN, I have found the LPNs that work with me to be very valued and very capable.

RN34TX · Dec 18, 2005

So to me I don't think the LPN and RN education is differed by only a few assessment and leadership courses. The A&P and patho. is much more advanced in the RN programs.
Because of the students I've worked with lately, I'm on the fence about whether this education is enough for the complex situations in the hospital.

I don't think that LPN and RN education is differed by only a few assessment and leadership courses either.

But the more "advanced" A&P and patho is hardly better preparation for "complex" situations in the hospital.

RN students are still lost and clueless along with the LPN/LVN students, despite their more advanced science educations.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Dec 18, 2005

RN students are still lost and clueless along with the LPN/LVN students, despite their more advanced science educations.

Most students are clueless, RNs and LPNs/LVNs included. Clinical rotations and advanced pathophysiology/A & P classes do not adequately prepare students to become proficient nurses. Proficiency and accuracy will only come with experience.

nurse4theplanet, RN · Dec 18, 2005

Since I am not an LPN or an RN, but merely an ADN student my oppinion may or may not carry much weight with some....but none the less....

LPNs are licensed professionals with vigorous training for their scope of practice defined by the nurse practice act within their state of residence. They are educated and qualified for their position and should receive the upmost respect for the duties they perform.

I do support a pay differential, as the RN scope of practice is wider and carries with it more legal obligations, responsibilities, and consequences.

As a nursing student, we have been lectured on the importance of treating all healthcare team members with the proper respect.....from CNA to MD, as we all have a common goal- safe and appropriate patient care.

To degrade someone based purely on their title and level of education is inappropriate, ignorant, and a direct attack on the cohesion of the medical team. It serves no purpose, other than feeding one's own ego. Should you find someone in your facility who exhibits such prejudice and cannot be reasoned with, please follow the chain of command. IMO, it is harassment.