Well, Let's Just Get It All Off Our Chests (Story Submission)
added by geena on January 4, 2004 at 3:19 PM
A few people have submitted stories/comments regarding the LPN/LVN issue, among other things. I thought I'd post them here.
Carolyn (Licensed Vocational Nurse of 27 years) writes:
I have been employed as a Licensed Vocational Nurse for the past 27 years. I can't stand it anymore! Disrespectful patients, swearing and belittling the nursing staff, physicians who constantly complain about their patient load and who treat us like servant/slaves, an RN "clinic" supervisor who "arrives to the clinic at 8:00 a.m, asks how things are going, then proceeds to close the door to her office (not coming out to check on the staff at all during the day) then only opening her office door to go home!
I am disgusted with RN's who look down on LVN'S as "second class" nurses and who "sit on their butts all day never offering a hand when obviously it is needed!" Basically, I am fed up with all LAZY NURSES (RN & LVN) who do just "the bare minimum" in the course of 8 hours and who spend most of their time on "extended breaks and lunches", constantly making personal phone calls instead of doing patient care, disappearing from their assigned clinic frequently and talking back to co-workers in front of patients!!
I am sick and tired of poor supervisors who have no backbone and are poor nursing managers! If I leave my current clinic assignment it is because "as a diligent and hardworking nurse I have had it with this daily scenario!" Personally, I believe that because of poor nursing management, good nurses will leave and unfortunately the LAZY NURSES will still continue to wreak their havoc because it has been allowed to go on far too long! I am sick and tired of this work environment and I am angry!!!!!!
MOMx3 writes:
Hi all, I live in Houston and have been waiting, full of anticipation, for months to find out whether or not I've been accepted into the LVN program that I applied for at a major hospital here. I have read many of the posts here and it doesn't surprise me that some people want to criticize others. It doesn't surprise me that they are condescending either. It just means that they have issues with themselves. So don't let it rattle you. I wonder what the world would be like without LVNs. Hmmm. Anyway, to all LVNs/LPNs out there--keep your heads up and stay positive. Discover and celebrate your purpose and don't let that cynicism and negativity get you down. Do your job and do it well and do it with honesty and integrity. Stay focused and in control. People are going to talk about you and criticize you no matter what you are doing, but at the end of the day all that matters is that you put your all into your job. Continue to set examples for the people that work with you. Maybe some of that sunshine will brighten even the darkest attitudes.
Skyoten writes about being an LPN:
I have been an LPN since 1970. I work at a hospital medical floor that is also telemetry. I usually do meds, can be from 6 pt's to 18 pt's. Usually one RN is assigned to one side. Sometimes she will be in charge of 18 patients. I live in Virginia and I can do antibiotic IV's, and piggy backs [meds that are hung through the IV, "piggybacked" onto an existing IV infusion]. I cannot mix any IV meds and hang them. You are under an RN team leader, and what you cant hang she will. We do not mess with PICC lines or central lines. I believe LPN's should make more money for the work they do and also be able to learn and do more things. We are so limted in what we can do, and yet we also have a license.
I still can't really weigh in too much on the LPN deal... I don't work with any in CCU. For all I know, they're the best thing since sliced bread. :-) Obviously they have a place or there would be no point in training/hiring any. My original stance on LPN's was in regards to the new California ratio laws. I don't feel that LPN's should be counted in the ratios because they cannot act as an RN can. It is not fair to say "Okay, we'll implement a ratio of 1 "licensed nurse" to 5 patients to keep patients safe and reduce medication errors" and then go and include LPN's in the ratio. RN's must supervise LPN's and can thus be technically assigned 10 patients. In addition to her own 5 patients, an RN must supervise the care of the other 5 who were assigned to the LPN. Does that make sense? Or am I just ticking everyone off? For all I know, most LPN's don't really require that much "supervision." I can't be held accountable for the comments that others have left, but this blog's personal stance is that LPN's are necessary, they have their place in the healthcare field, but using them to screw over RN's is rude.
Progress Notes
This is a hot topic for sure, so Im going to put my two cents in *cringe* I have been an LPN for 15 years and during that time I have worked in many areas (med-surg, post-op, flexible care, ortho and a long stint in long term care and rehab) For the last 3 years I've been working in a prison and I really think I've found my "niche". Everywhere you go you will run into excellent nurses and not-so-excellent nurses. Doesn't matter if they are an RN or LPN. The initials behind the name do not make the nurse. Sure, there are things that as an LPN we may be restricted in doing, but each state has different laws. In Vermont, LPN's are high functioning and can work with central lines, picc lines, groshongs, draw blood, start IV's, and mix IV meds. But, having said that, it depends on where you work. For instance, if I worked in the local hospital I wouldn't be able to work with central lines and such or mix IV meds, but since I'm in a prison, I can do these things once being inserviced on them (and do so) and show that I am capable of handling these tasks correctly. I was also able to do these normally RN tasks in long term care.
Having said that, Vermont doesn't not have ratio laws...yet that I know of, but I do share your concerns. An LPN works under the direction of an RN and therefore that only adds to the work that the RN is responsible for. If they are including LPN's in the ratio thing, the most obvious answer is to lessen the workload on the RN (and we know that won't happen). Nurses are far overworked as it is. Maybe there is a trade-off somewhere for some of the duties? I don't know what the answer is really but thanks for letting me ramble on here.
added by seger on January 5, 2004 1:50 PM
I'm from a different state. A charge nurse had to be a RN (in hospitals), but I took care of my own patients.
I'd insert foleys, IVs, NG tubes myself, and called the doctors as needed. I mixed and hung my own meds (minus a few IVPs that Tx states LVNs can't push). Tx doesn't allow us to spike blood either, but we'd take over after an RN spiked it.
I'd report to charge if my patient started going bad, so they'd be ready to assist, or send someone else to verify. I'd also ask them questions if I didn't know something, but I'd also ask my LVN coworker with 27 yrs of experience too, if she was working. The RNs often asked her questions too though 8^)
I hear that some states don't allow their LPNs to do as much. If your state requires that an RN supervise a LPN, then the ratio law should probably read that a nurse's ratio should be 1:5, unless supervising a LPN, which should then be x:x ratio.
added by on January 26, 2004 11:47 PM
I am a new nurse. RN. While I was being oriented, I had the great pleasure of working with several RNs and one LPN. This one LPN worked harder than all the RNs put together. If I had a question, I went to her. If I was a patient and I got to choose between an LPN with 15 years of experience or an RN with one- you can bet I'd pick the LPN. (Sharon you rock)
added by Sadie Hyde on January 18, 2005 10:35 PM
Nursing is a vary Liberal field, many of the employees in the field other industries would not hire because of their poor work ethic and values. As far as the LVN, RN issue nursing should have one standard of practice so that the profession as a whole would do better. In all sincerety all nurses should be RN's, at the least after all you should be able to accoplish at least a RN degree to practice... The fact that nursing is mostly female has an impact also, they tend to have a very difficult time owrking to gether, especialy white female, african american women work much better together as other non white groups.
The famale way of thinking and problem solving is completely different and always will be different then the male mind, Nursing will stay the same for the most part and those people in the field have to realize that they are limited based on their skills and intellegence.
added by G on August 29, 2005 1:57 AM
what is that person trying to say? One of the most difficult problems to overcome in ANY profession, but which becomes often critical in the nsg profession, is COMMUNICATION. LPN OR RN, the nurses I have met (male and female) have been able to make themselves understood. My suggestion is that "G" stop worrying about who else has what degree in the world according to him, and go back to school to learn to express himself with language.
added by Jenny on November 8, 2005 6:48 AM
I am going to start nursing school in January, and I am very excited..=). Financially, it would be eaiser for me to become an LVN, work for a bit, then go back for my RN. When I read all the posts regarding RN and LVN info....I hesitate; and think perhaps I should just take out some loans and go for the RN. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated..=)
added by Aliza on November 13, 2006 1:16 PM
I am a cna I've been a cna for 8 years. I currently attending school to recieve my lvn should I just go and get my RN. Due to finacial
added by clovisbessard on May 4, 2007 1:09 AM
After 15 years as an LVN,I am leaving nursing.Patient ratio is the main factor.The new breed of materialistic,self-centrede Rn's is the other.I tell everyone to have their kids stay away from nursing.
added by Genghis-jon on February 2, 2008 7:58 PM
I Just wanted to say I love nursing and have been a nurse for over 20 years. Its just that nursing is not nursing anymore. It's more like crisis management. Everyone is worried about doing to much and the work load is very heavy. I see so much disrespect for each other and it seems like no one care at all any more. The mistakes that are made are unlike any other time. I know it's due to short staffing not enough rest and we seem to be crying for help and there is no one listening. We are asked to take care of the sickest of Pts. and no thought seems to be given to the fact we need qualified nurses and enough of them. We are the first folks to get blamed when things go wrong but we are not getting any support. Following tried and true practices seem impossible because your running from one crisis to another. Training seems to be a thing of the past when you get a job they put you right out there...Go for it. The need for warm bodies is driving along with the bottom line. God forbid they would have to turn anyone away because they didn't have the QUALIFIED staff. I don't want to get old and have this kind of care.
added by Annie on March 23, 2008 2:57 PM
So, what brought you to the hospital today?