Oct 13, 2003, 12:18 AM
jellybean1
you wrote "Just wondering what your thoughts are on what is happening with the government/health authority plans to replace/displace RN's."
HMMM
would that be what is happening this week, last week or next week. Things seem to change as fast as the names and areas in each health authority!
My concern in the area I work is the serious lack of direction in job descriptions. We work with the Most Responsible Nurse designation but also have LPNs on the ward. They are being encouraged to expand their scope of practice although to what extent no one really seems to know. I was an LPN before continuing on to be a RN and am not trying to put anyone down. Realistically, though, as the LPNs are encouraged to do more it's my job I see going out the window and I am not about to just passively let that happen.
The government and health authorities are, on one hand, looking at more ways to get new nurses into the field with various programs. On the other hand they seem to be decreasing the number of RN positions by bringing in LPNs. Interestingly no-one seems to be working on more ways to get new LPNs in the field. On our unit we often work short because no-one is available to replace a LPN off on sick leave or vacation and we are discouraged from calling in an RN because it's an LPN position.
Anyway, that's my rant and, that said, I still wouldn't live anywhere else so I guess I'll just deal with it. Also past experience has shown me that alot of the problems we have are pretty much found right across Canada.
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