Why do you think that just because of a title that it gives you the right to treat other staffers depending on their title with disrespect and a sense of constant discord?

Do you think that your title has gone to your head?

Do you think that your position is and always will be more important then your fellow staffers and if so why?

Do you feel that anyone regardless of their title, experience or education should be viewed as less incompetent?

Did you have the privilidge of obtaining your title by your own means or by the help of family?

Do you think if obtaining your title by your own means makes you more compassionate towards others versus someone who came from money and had a hand in helping them to obtain their title?

Do you think an R.N. is capable of performing the skills required that of a C.N.A. and if so why are the R.N.'s not required to perform them?

Why are the C.N.A.'s performing duties that an L.P.N. is required to do but yet are not paid as an L.P.N.?

Why are R.N.'s delegating tasks to L.P.N's as well as C.N.A's that they know are not required to do?

 I started from the Ground up when a CNA was not Certified. we were Granfathered in when taking Fundamentals of Nursing,and then became a "Nurse Technician" then passed RN Boards after not passing the first time took LPN Boards. Have Both Licenses still and know what it is to appreciate for all the Trials and Tribulations of being a Nurse. Even though the RN License means you may do more than another person,I am always there to help when I was working with another Nurse/CNA.                                                                                                                                                                    CCOLBURN    LPN,RN

THIS BS MAKES ME SO ANGRY-WE ARE ALL THERE TO TAKE CARE OF THE PT.  YOU WOULD THINK THAT EVERYONE COULD BE ADULT ABOUT IT-I WORKED AS A CNA BEFORE BECOMING A LPN!!!!!!!! WE HONESTLY HAVE TO GET OVER ALL THIS MESS ABOUT INITIALS BEHIND ONE'S NAME!!!!!!! JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE CERTAIN TITLES DOESN'T MAKE YOU KNOW MORE OR LESS THAN ANYONE-GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

SHONNA L. POTTER,LPN OR 09157238

I found this to be true as well. However, when I was the ADON in LTC (I have ALWAYS been an LVN), I wore scrubs to send the message to my staff, that I would always be in the trenches with them. The DON wore street attire, and would never touch a patient whithout putting gloves on her hands!!! Because we did not have an "on call" sheet for an absent LVN Charge Nurse, I also worked the floor if a nurse was absent. I always, always, fed patients with my CNAs on the third feeding shift. The residents being fed on this shift were the most impaired and it was my way of helping my CNAs, letting them know I was not above their heads, and I could gather great intel from my staff.

Having worked in what was called "Primary Care" in the hospital, I know what it is like to be teamed up with an RN. The RNs would be taking report while we LVNs were passing out bed linens and taking vital signs. One RN kept choosing me, but she would disappear and I would have to look for her when I had a pending emergency with one of our assigned patients. One day, I found her in the bathroom reading a comic book. We did not have any CNAs at that time, they were called aides. But in Primary Care, it is the LVN that is the work horse. I never minded this because I love and continue to love hands on care.

I did not stay in the hospital setting very long. The hospital had the opinion that due to patient dignity, no diapers were allowed. Can you imagine how many times I had to change occupied beds by myself? Also, the hospital would discharge patients every Friday (which I always called "dump day") leaving the weekend shift with the most heaviest care and short staffed. I felt my new license was in danger because of the weekends and holidays.

On the other end of the spectrum, in LTC on Dump Day, we would receive our residents who were discharged from the hospital too soon. We would quickly assess each resident, and if they needed one-on-one, they were sent back to the hospital. This became a back and forth with the Discharge Planner in the hospital. Where was the thinking about good, ethical and safe patient care???? It did not exist in the Dischare Planner in the hospitals.

Also, it was from this Community General Hospital that our residents who had been hospitalized, came back to us with MRSA, and decubs that did not exist on our resident when sending the resident to the hospital. We began to not only document the shape our resident was in but also take pictures of our residents' skin before they were sent to this specific hospital. We did not take a picture of the resident's face, unless the face was effected before sending the patient to the hospital. I could not believe this hospital continued to exist.

So, my summation is that there are really good RNs, LVNs, CMAs and CNAs. It just depends on the person and how entitled they feel about themselves. I cannot lump one specific title in to one whole group. In LTC, one has to have a very good work ethic, be able to do very hard and diligent work, and always work as a team. I was fortunate to work with really great men and women in LTC. I really have been blessed with good help in my own nursing career. To have the team effort can make or break a facility, and this can also attract the very best. I was honored to be a part of the very best.

Abraham Lincoln was reputed to have said, "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power".

Many have difficulty in appropriately dealing with the power which is bestowed upon them.

Hiya, I guess I'll have to say it again,

Has any one ever heard of "Team Nursing" Go figure, I thought that meant every one works together for the good of the patient..I guess I'll have to look that up again.. Teresa

Hiya, Good for you... If ever I learned and taught is to make sure you do only whatever is in the realm of your training.. Don't ever do what is not part of your education...Protect yourself.. If anything goes wrong, you will be held liable..You are right to report any who asks you to do these things and also it's a great idea for you to report this in writing and keep a copy for yourself.. Best of luck to you and please keep us posted.. God Bless you..Teresa