Why are LPNs allowed to supervise RNs in Long-Term Care?

[RNnLTC]

What I don't understand is why are LPN's allowed to supervise RN's in Long-term care? Due to the education of an RN vs an LPN, this has caused problems! I'm an RN and have been working in Long-term care for the past year. The unit manager on my unit is an LPN and is always trying to delegate things to me, question me as to why I do certain things, why I take some things serious and not other's...and she doesn't approach it in a way as if she was trying to learn, she attacks it. As an RN I was taught the disease process, what to watch for and what to expect! I was also taught to educate families regarding the disease process and be able to explain to them what is happening when their loved one is experiencing a decline. In doing-so, I was recently scolded by my unit manager in her saying "you're practicing outside of your scope of practice!" Really? The DON didn't think so...It just annoys me that the Scope of Practice for RN and LPN in Michigan clearly states that an LPN cannot clinically supervise an RN, yet this is actually happening at my facility! What can I do about this?

[Crystal-Wings, LVN]

Good lord. I'm not even going to add my two cents except to say at the LTC I'm at there's an RN who seems to be incapable of making decisions or getting orders put in correctly and is constantly asking the LPNs to do/fix things for her. I'm tired of it and have started ignoring her calls to my station. I've literally had to tell her what to do on multiple occasions but I can't say anything because apparently she has "a lot of experience".

[TriciaJ, RN]

Since it's your job to educate patients and families, why don't you educate your LPN supervisor, too?

Next time she demands to know why you've taken a course of action, don't get defensive.  Regardless of how she asks, pretend she's just asking for information and educate her the way you would a patient.  Keep your tone pleasant and refuse to get your back up.  Remember she doesn't have your education so you're just helping her fill in some gaps.

Maybe you're misinterpreting her motives, maybe not.  You'll have a lot more power in the situation if you don't take the bait.