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

danigirl58 · Apr 24, 2006

where i am, the lpns work in all parts of health care. at some of the hospitals the lpns do the same work as an rn (and i truly mean all the same work -hanging iv's giving all meds doing assessments getting orders you name it they do it) the only thing that they can not do is be charge nurse. the crappy part of this is they have all the responsibility but not the pay that goes with it. some facilities have specified scope of there practice.

now do i think that any one of us is better then the other because we have some kind of special initials beside our name. no i don't, we are all nurses we all have our distinct scopes of practice. to me the most important thing is to work together as a team and remember were there for our patients.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Apr 24, 2006

I have felt/heard resentments from LPN's regarding the difference in pay scale, but...the answer is GET BACK TO SCHOOL!!.

Ok, in the short time i've been an LPN, i've learned that's where some of the resentment lies. Especially when an LPN JUST got OUT of school, worn out from that, and he/she's got someone telling them they need to go back to school already, IOW unsolicited advice. It should be the individuals decision to go back to school (or not).

ms_orion · Apr 25, 2006

NO EXCUSES!!! I earned the RN. I could have stopped at LPN. Its ALWAYS an individuals choice...depends on your priorities.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Apr 25, 2006

NO EXCUSES!!! I earned the RN. I could have stopped at LPN. Its ALWAYS an individuals choice...depends on your priorities.

And some peoples' priorities aren't with school.

ms_orion · Apr 25, 2006

And that's okay too...just dont complain about the pay difference. You know what has to be accomplished to get it, thats all I'm saying. Any of us can be whatever we want to be...go as far as we want to go..but we have to be willing to put out the effort to attain the goals that we want. Not one of us is better than another. It all comes down to what we truly want to do.

RN34TX · Apr 25, 2006

Hi,
Even though I've only been an RN for 8 months, I haven't heard any other nurse say anything bad about LPNs. The hospital I work at don't employ LPNs so I only had a few occasions to have worked with LPNs when I did a few weeks at this rehab hospital.

That's like saying "If I can't see it, it doesn't exist".

I too, work in a hospital that doesn't hire LPN's, thus the subject rarely comes up except for those of us RN's who used to be LPN's.

That doesn't mean that anti-LPN sentiment isn't out there.

And to those of you who have this "Well if you don't like being an LPN then go back to school" attitude, here's my 2 cents:

LPN's do not have nearly the number of options available to them that us RN's have in terms of going back to school and moving up.

An ADN RN whining about not having a BSN is a different story, as there are so many options available today.

You guys can have this false sense of "We're all one team" attitude but the fact of the matter is that LPN's do basically the same job as an RN for less pay on your typical med/surg or rehab units whether us RN's want to admit it or not. It's no wonder that some LPN's are going to resent that, including me when I worked as an LPN.

At first I too, bought into the myth that RN's performed at some higher level that I'd only realize once I was an RN.

As an RN now, I can tell you that it's a bunch of baloney and if I went back to working med/surg or LTAC or nursing homes, my job would be basically the same as when I was an LPN. Just less pay.

The educational program does not determine the quality of nurse.

JVanRN · Apr 25, 2006

I personally hate LVN/LPN's because they smell funny. They all smell like beef jerky. [/sarcasm]

But seriously. RN's don't hate LVN's (what we call them in my state). The truth is some people are just jerks on a power trip and some people are just constantly on the defense and think the world is out to get them. Don't get down on yourself, getting your LVN is an accomplishment and something to be proud of. I feel the experience I obtained as an LVN was invaluable and would do it again.

The main problem I see that might breed resentment between the two is the thinking that they are "pretty much the same thing." No they're not. When I was an LVN in the hospital, I worked on a busy telemetry floor. Skills wise I did in fact do what alot of the RN's did. I hung nitro drips, I gave IV push meds (all kinds) ect. I later learned that much of what I was doing was legally beyond my scope of practice. The answer in what the difference is lies in your state practice act and hospital policy. Some states allow LPN's to do more than others. I live in TX, here LVN's can do alot, but not everything RN's can do.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Apr 25, 2006

And to those of you who have this "Well if you don't like being an LPN then go back to school" attitude, here's my 2 cents:
LPN's do not have nearly the number of options available to them that us RN's have in terms of going back to school and moving up.
An ADN RN whining about not having a BSN is a different story, as there are so many options available today.
You guys can have this false sense of "We're all one team" attitude but the fact of the matter is that LPN's do basically the same job as an RN for less pay on your typical med/surg or rehab units whether us RN's want to admit it or not. It's no wonder that some LPN's are going to resent that, including me when I worked as an LPN.
At first I too, bought into the myth that RN's performed at some higher level that I'd only realize once I was an RN.
As an RN now, I can tell you that it's a bunch of baloney and if I went back to working med/surg or LTAC or nursing homes, my job would be basically the same as when I was an LPN. Just less pay.
The educational program does not determine the quality of nurse.

I guess it depends on where you are. There are two LPN to RN programs here and only one RN to BSN. If look look at the next city it's two more LPN to RN and two more RN to BSN. Online programs for RN to BSN are more abundant however, but there is always that option for LPN to RNs.

I think the LPN to RN programs are probably more intense because of the clinical time. So it's definately more difficult to go LPN to RN and that's not always an option for a working person with a life and families.

As long as the state board, JACHO, ANA, etc. believe that there is a difference between RNs and LPNs, there's going to be a difference of opinion that LPNs do the same thing at the same level as RNs. As long as LPNs are willing to go into hospitals and do the same job as RNs and take that salary doing the same thing, then hospitals are going to take advantage of them. I'm appalled at the salaries some of my co-workers make (as a charge nurse I'm privy to that) with the responsibilities and experience they have.

Where I work there is the rare anti-LPN sentiment between the staff nurses, not much. I do see probably more anti-RN sentiment from the LPNs. Probably because the hospital has put a freeze on hiring more LPNs, but the ones who are there get to stay. Techs who better their education and become LPNs are forced to work somewhere else no matter how many years they put in there. But on a day-to-day basis, we're all just struggling to do our jobs.

I'm not understanding why you're shooting down RN's that try to have a sense of team spirit by saying "we're all on one team". Some of RNs truly feel that way. Just because we have RN behind our name doesn't automatically make of one of those LPN haters. Some of us despite the controversy around us, don't hate, want to make the best of our work situation and work together, without a feeling of superiority, but one of respect. I'll never forget as a newbie RN how several LPNs took me under their wing and helped me out, even though I was the "team leader" by virtue of my RN, they didn't let me sink, they showed me the ropes and shared their experience. I've never forgotten that.

RN34TX · Apr 25, 2006

I guess it depends on where you are. There are two LPN to RN programs here and only one RN to BSN. If look look at the next city it's two more LPN to RN and two more RN to BSN. Online programs for RN to BSN are more abundant however, but there is always that option for LPN to RNs.
I think the LPN to RN programs are probably more intense because of the clinical time. So it's definately more difficult to go LPN to RN and that's not always an option for a working person with a life and families.
As long as the state board, JACHO, ANA, etc. believe that there is a difference between RNs and LPNs, there's going to be a difference of opinion that LPNs do the same thing at the same level as RNs. As long as LPNs are willing to go into hospitals and do the same job as RNs and take that salary doing the same thing, then hospitals are going to take advantage of them. I'm appalled at the salaries some of my co-workers make (as a charge nurse I'm privy to that) with the responsibilities and experience they have.
Where I work there is the rare anti-LPN sentiment between the staff nurses, not much. I do see probably more anti-RN sentiment from the LPNs. Probably because the hospital has put a freeze on hiring more LPNs, but the ones who are there get to stay. Techs who better their education and become LPNs are forced to work somewhere else no matter how many years they put in there. But on a day-to-day basis, we're all just struggling to do our jobs.
I'm not understanding why you're shooting down RN's that try to have a sense of team spirit by saying "we're all on one team". Some of RNs truly feel that way. Just because we have RN behind our name doesn't automatically make of one of those LPN haters. Some of us despite the controversy around us, don't hate, want to make the best of our work situation and work together, without a feeling of superiority, but one of respect. I'll never forget as a newbie RN how several LPNs took me under their wing and helped me out, even though I was the "team leader" by virtue of my RN, they didn't let me sink, they showed me the ropes and shared their experience. I've never forgotten that.

The "we're all on one team" comment wasn't an attempt to slight people who really feel that way. I think that's great.

I was referring to comments made here that literally deny that the sentiment exists and that we all get along in harmony. If that were true, these threads wouldn't come up.

Or that if it doesn't exist on their particular unit, then it must not exist at all. In addition, if you're not an LPN yourself, you may not see it even though it may go on where you work.

There are no LVN's on any units where I work either. So therefore, I could easily claim that the sentiment doesn't exist at my workplace because we never have to deal with it. However, I'm not foolish enough to believe that some of my co-workers wouldn't act that way in the event that LVN's did start getting hired and we all had to work alongside them.

It's like living in a small all-caucasian town in middle America and claiming that no one is prejudice. Of course not. It never surfaces until a minority family moves in.

As far as the access and availability of LPN to RN vs. RN to BSN programs goes, the two cannot be compared by numbers alone. Your town could have 10 LPN to RN programs and only one RN to BSN program and it's still not as easy for them.

Most are full time "all or nothing" programs forcing LPN's to either cut their work hours down, or basically get about two hours of sleep per day.

I know that some will claim passionately that it can be done and will go on and on about how that had two jobs and went to school full time with three kids to feed and care for, but that's not a realistic option for most.

Part-time and flexible scheduling options for LPN's wanting to become RN's is severely limited in every area I've ever lived.

Most RN to BSN programs are designed for a full time working RN and more flexibility is involved.

As far as online options go, again, the two cannot be compared.

First of all, online RN to BSN programs are multiplying by the hour. Most B&M state universities are moving more and more toward online options for RN's.

There are relatively few online or distance options for LPN's wanting to become RN's. Even the current distance/online options are often under attack by state boards resulting in LPN's having even fewer mobility options.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2006

RN34TX, thanks for clarifying. Obviously saying there is no animosity against LPNs is wrong and not true. Just as it isn't true, as the title of this thread states "Why do RNs hate us". Blanket statements one way or another is wrong.

I acknowledge it's more difficult to go LPN to RN than RN to BSN. I acknowledged that when I said it was "more intense", as intense as going to an ADN program. While RN to BSN isn't a piece of cake by any stretch of the imagination, I give LPN to RN their props, that is indeed more difficult and less readily available.

I didn't mean to imply that it wasn't. I was merely acknowledging the number of programs in this area are equal. The only LPNs I know going RN are those I work with and a friend of mine. They all keep working their 3 12-hour shifts.

I do acknowledge RN to BSN programs are growing by leaps and bounds in the online community and they are catered to the working nurse. I didn't mean to imply that distance LPN programs were widely available and acceptable, just that it is indeed an option for some.

RN34TX · Apr 26, 2006

While RN to BSN isn't a piece of cake by any stretch of the imagination,

Amen to that. A few extra fluff classes, it ain't! (Like some have characterized BSN programs to be)

My nose is definitely to the grindstone this semester. (and the potter's wheel for that matter.)

Regarding your other comments, I totally agree. Blanket statements on either end is definitely an issue here and I can sometimes be guilty of it as well.

tryingtomakeit, RN · Apr 26, 2006

I have a "sort of funny" story to share.

My family had a reunion this past weekend. Among the crowd were my cousin from Lousiana and his wife. I hadn't seen them in years and the last time they saw me I was a CNA. I have since graduated from nursing school (RN). To make a long story short, my cousin, who is also a CNA, asked where I was working. I told her, but it didn't register with me that she thought I was still a CNA until her husband looked me square in the eye and said, "Tell me, do they make all the RN's here take a--hole courses like they do at home. They are ALL -itches!"

I just smiled and said, "Pass the baked beans ..."

Also I want to add that when I first graduated a couple of years ago, there was an LPN working in post partum who I learned most of my skills from. Not only my technical skills, but also my assessment skills. I felt so funny having to sign after her on careplans. She taught me more than I ever learned in nursing school! Granted, she has been a nurse for twenty - plus years, but she made me realize that we ALL contribute and we ARE a team.