LVNs/LPNs/VNs

When I started my first nursing job (I had no nursing experience other than during school) as an RN, I remember that some of the nicest and best bedside nurses were the LVNs I worked with. There really was a difference in the attitudes, bedside manner, and teamwork mentality of the LVNs. They not only spent more time with the patients (this was because they did not have all the responsibilities of the RNs), but they had no problem assisting a patient to the bedside commode or giving a bed bath. They did their job with a better attitude than some RNs I know, whether it was dosing pain meds, changing linens, or assisting with ostomy care. I have encountered many RNs who almost have a chip on their shoulder and act as if they are "too good" to help with certain aspects of patient care. I have even heard of an RN telling the patient it was "not [her] job to empty bedpans" and she would get the CNA to do it. This behavior to me is appalling to say the least. I owe a lot of my nursing 'tricks' and really good technical skills from LVNs who had the time, and were knowledgeable and kind enough, to help a new RN. While I do not think that teaching LVNs would be the right choice for myself, I definitely agree that LVNs are a wonderful and unique category of nurses. LVNs deserve respect and acknowledgement from society and from other nursing professionals.