If there is one thing I cannot stand, it's Registered Nurses who undermine me as an RPN. For the most part the RNs on my floor are the most wonderful nurses I have ever met. I have been an RPN for just over a year now and have run into several RNs that brush me off simply because I am not a Registered Nurse. The ironic thing is that RPNs are equally skilled to the old diploma RNs as we have exactly the same amount of education; two years of college.
While I can't hold a candle to Registered Nurses with years of experience over me, I expect to be treated as an equal and with respect. I have even had an RN come to me and say that "RPN's should know there place." It is a shame that some RNs hold the mentality that we are still the Registered Nursing Assistants of yesterday.
One thing I do realize is that whenever I obtain my degree, I will not forget that I was an RPN first and foremost. We are all equals with value and I treat all of those I encounter, from cleaners to doctors, with the same level of respect. I urge my fellow students and colleagues to respect each other. After all, this is a profession based on altruism and sincere caring.
Nursing: The Options are Endless
15 years ago
1 comment:
Phil,
I sincerely agree with you that everyone should be treated with the same amount of respect, no matter what position they might hold.
When i tell people that I am a "nurse", more often than not, they assume that I mean RN. And when I clarify, I usually end up hearing "ooohh.. you're just an RPN".. does the 'N' not stand for nurse?
Perhaps the worst that I have heard,though, was when I was a peer tutor in the skills lab at school, and I overheard a group of RN students (younger than myself, i might add - and i'm young) talking about how much they hate RPNs! How could they have made that decision based on the 2 semesters of placement that they've had? I'm not sure.. but it seems to me we need to find a way to bridge the gap between RPNs and RN so that we can all work together!!!
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