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

LPN2RNdude · Dec 22, 2005

well, i am an LPN (currently in my 2nd semester of the RN mobility program) and i have never been looked down on for "just being an LPN" not that i can remember anyway. but i do have to agree with the majority.... RN's do carry a wider area of responsibility. where i work, LPN's can only give IVP and piggyback meds through peripheral lines. if a portacath or central line is involved, we have to get an RN. also, we cannot give blood or pull blood from any central line. i dont have a problem with that, though. i must admit, in LPN school i dont really recall getting any training on central lines, although in clinicals we did get to piggyback meds through them (washington DC). now i am working in georgia, and ive come to find that here LPN's are only limited by what the facility says.... but the pay is somewhat less than an RN. i think where i work new grad LPNs start out at 11.90 an hr, whereas new grad RNs start out at 18.00 an hr. i make about 14 an hr (base plus 5 yrs experience) so that should motivate ANY LPN to go back for the RN. :thankya:

Sheri257 · Dec 22, 2005

In California I don't think RN's hate LVN's. It has more to do with the fact that RN's are responsible for everything LVN's do, and they don't like the responsibility. If the LVN does something wrong in our state, it's on the RN's license. With our ratio law, you can be responsible for an LVN plus 10 patients or you can be responsible for only five patients as an RN and, I think they just prefer less responsibility and less patients.

:nurse:

IcantThinkofaName · Dec 23, 2005

In California I don't think RN's hate LVN's. It has more to do with the fact that RN's are responsible for everything LVN's do, and they don't like the responsibility. If the LVN does something wrong in our state, it's on the RN's license. With our ratio law, you can be responsible for an LVN plus 10 patients or you can be responsible for only five patients as an RN and, I think they just prefer less responsibility and less patients.

Why would it be on the RN's license? I mean, isn't the whole purpose of being LVN is so that their license is the one that will be held accountable? Im aware that RN's are in charge of the lvn's so to speak, but it would be our own license (LVN) that would be getting hurt.

SFCardiacRN · Dec 23, 2005

I LOVE MY LVN! She's a great team player.

Butterflybee · Dec 23, 2005

This is a very interesting thread and a good one. I'm learning what to possibly expect. I hope the comments keep coming. I still am excited about becoming a nurse (accepted LPN, CNA many, many yrs ago)

All of you have SOOOO much to be proud of. Maybe, every once in a while, we should think back to when we werent a nurse and how we looked up to them, cna, lpn, rn or whatever. Have some forgotten those days to the point that they might now look down? My friends are RNs and they are so cool, treat everyone fairly.

I just think that if anyone wants/envies another, maybe they should strive to get it for theirself instead of complaining.

mrnurse2 · Dec 29, 2005

I find in general that RN's don't hate us. In honesty as one that has two classes left to sit for my RN boards their is a lot that can't possibly be taught in an initial LPN/LVN program.

As an many years experienced LVN I can recognize and intervene in tasks that new grad and only a few years out RN's have not experienced yet.

What I found in my LVN/LPN program their was a lot of clinical skills and hands on. I was taught to do tasks and get things done that new grads in general are still learning to do.

My RN program repeats and builds on a body of knowledge as to "what if's" and "critical thinking" Because of the intense sciences of A&P, Microbiology, Chemistry you are able to understand how a molecule is processed through the body. It is important at times to understand this molecule process and negative feedback loops that if your patient is presenting in a certain mannor then their must be a disturbance in a process or processes. The next step in this molecule process is knowing whether your nursing interventions can restore or maintain this balance or if critical physician intervention is needed.

I used to think that the RN was only a title that after my years of experience I could do exactly what they could do. There is really a lot of in depth knowledge that a typical one year LPN/LVN program can not cover and that visual hands on experience can not substitue for classroom learning that an RN receives.

The main thing that I find is missing at times is remembering we are all nurses! It is a big messed up healthcare system out there. So many sick patients and all of us are needed to care for them.

following_faith · Dec 29, 2005

I'm so sorry that you have had bad experiences. I am not a nurse, but just by lurking through threads, school and other factors I can say that the same or similar can be perceived by other people.
For example, the CNA experiencing the same from the LVN, the ADN from the BSN, the student with no medical experience from the CNA or LPN, and so on. I am sure not all do it, but I think it is safe to say that there are always a few bad apples in every position, location, and career.
Best wishes to you.:)

That is an excellent point! Thank you for it!

dapototi · Dec 31, 2005

As a new RN I cannot imagine life without the LPN's on my unit. Unlike some of th RN's I work with, they don't have the attitude or senority complex most RN's have. I think it's sad that so many RN's behave this way because from what I remember from nursing school, we are all equal. My favorite professor, who now has a Ph.D in Nursing started off as an LPN in NYC. She tought us to respect our fellow nurses, regardless of the initials after their name.

weezer123 · Dec 31, 2005

Oh,,, stop it!!! A good nurse is a good nurse...it does not really matter if they are RN,BSN or LPN if you are dying and need CPR!!!!And all of you have a LICENSE!!! And worked HARD for them!!!

dapototi · Dec 31, 2005

Although you are an RN now, there is no need for an attitude towards the LPN's. Just like you, they went to school, studied, and had to pass a test to get that credential. I know we RN's have a broader education, but that does not make us better nurses! I have a BSN and I started off as an AND. I know there were LPN's under me with years of experience when I first got my ADN. Now, as a seasoned nurse, I see the new BSN girls and I feel sorry for them, they have an attitude! They think they should not have to clean bed pans or change bed linens! H-E-L-L-O-! Wasn't that the first thing we ALL learned in nursing 101? Basic patinet care is a part of nursing, like it or not! So you have to empty a foley, or have to get someone off a bedpad... boo-hoo, poor you. If you don't like it, get out of nursing.

weezer123 · Dec 31, 2005

You said it !!!

sheena3338 · Dec 31, 2005

IN the hospitals here , RN make $36+ an hour, LVN's $18. The RN's definitly don't have a problem with the pay lvn's get here. In acute care hospitals in northern california, lvn ONLY do meds. NO charting, no assessments (not even pain assessments), no IV meds. RN's may resent the fact that LVN's only give PO and injectable meds.

Well as for hosp not wanting LPNS I don't see it where I live, I work for a agency and make $18.00 to $22.00 hr and time and half over 40 hrs and I work48 hrs a wk and have now for for 4yrs now and feel appreciated by my co workers including RN's. I respect their license and know that that is my next chain of command if a issue should come up. I work med surg, Tel, ICU, OB, TCU, and sometimes just float between floors work where ever they need me. I really enjoy agency work. We are suppose to be in this field for the purpose of our pt needs needs and tat takes alot of team work from RNS and LPNS and NAs and DRs. sheen3338