Can LPN's work in infectious disease? I am currently a nursing student and would like to go into infectious disease, I plan to bridge to RN after I get a job when I get out of nursing school. Any suggestions as to what path I should take?

Personally speaking from my experience, infectious disease nurses have a BSN RN and most likely have many years of experience behind them. I find the field very interesting as well. I have been an LPN for 7 years and I just finished the RN program and taking the NCLEX-RN in 10 days. Just being a floor nurse we are working in the infectious disease field, everyday we see the harmful affects of infections and we assess for infections continuously, and most of all we do everything in our power to prevent them. :)

Of course LPNs work in Infectious Disease....as well as RNs who do not have their BSN....and they don't have to have years and years of experience either. I'm an LPN and I work in MICU...and have worked there for almost 40 years. We can work anywhere if the state and hospital allow a full scope of practice and with the right training.

Of course LPNs work in Infectious Disease....as well as RNs who do not have their BSN....and they don't have to have years and years of experience either. I'm an LPN and I work in MICU...and have worked there for almost 40 years. We can work anywhere if the state and hospital allow a full scope of practice and with the right training.

I was speaking from my experience and like you said you have been working in this dept for 40 years, doesn't that constitute years and years of experience? Nursing has changed dramatically since 40 years ago. Technically the only person who is considered a professional in nursing is the RN. In the State of Michigan the scope of practice for the LPN does not include initial assessment nor receiving of physician orders, in a hospital setting. Remember it is the RN who supervises all LPNs/LVN or any unlicensed caregivers.

I was speaking from my experience and like you said you have been working in this dept for 40 years, doesn't that constitute years and years of experience? Nursing has changed dramatically since 40 years ago. Technically the only person who is considered a professional in nursing is the RN. In the State of Michigan the scope of practice for the LPN does not include initial assessment nor receiving of physician orders, in a hospital setting. Remember it is the RN who supervises all LPNs/LVN or any unlicensed caregivers.

I think we got our wires crossed here....

Were you referring to infection control nurses (epidemiology) vs ID (infectious diease) staff nurses? In that case, that would likely require an advanced practice nurse....MSN level....at least a BSN. I agree 100% if that is what you mean..as those jobs are reserach and policy jobs...not bedside nursing jobs.

Of course, infectious disease staff nurses would not need years and years of experience. They are floor nurses who take care of patients with infectious diseases. We have mostly RNs...but many LPN's of various levels of experience up on the floors, and LPNs here enjoy a full scope of practice. We don't take new admissions or manage the care of primary patients...but can do 95% of the care required on our patients. The RN isn't responsible if we should screw up in our scope of practice. He/she is only responsible if there is something outside of our scope of practice that they neglect to do or do wrong. I work mostly in MICU (medical intensive care unit), and the charge nurse covers me if there is something that I need help with. Usually they don't have to do anything special except check blood products or double check calcs and dosages on certain drugs. (K boluses etc)

I consider myself to be a professional nurse..as do my colleagues...my patients...and their families. I have witnessed and adapated to the changes in nursing over the past 50 years...not just learned about them from text books and nursing instructors.

Yes all nurses work in infectious disease in one way or another, which I mentioned in my first post. Are you saying that a RN will not be held responsible for the actions of those she is supervising? I am very curious to know which state this is practiced. As far as the professional degree which is not the same thing as providing care in a professional manner, the fact still remains that no one other than a RN should even be called "the nurse."

I am shocked to hear that there is such a state that allows a LPNs scope of practice to include giving a bolus and hanging any blood products. Being a RN now, I understand where the RN is coming from when they protest against facilities allowing procedures being done that should only be performed by the RN.

Yes all nurses work in infectious disease in one way or another, which I mentioned in my first post. Are you saying that a RN will not be held responsible for the actions of those she is supervising? I am very curious to know which state this is practiced. As far as the professional degree which is not the same thing as providing care in a professional manner, the fact still remains that no one other than a RN should even be called "the nurse."

I am shocked to hear that there is such a state that allows a LPNs scope of practice to include giving a bolus and hanging any blood products. Being a RN now, I understand where the RN is coming from when they protest against facilities allowing procedures being done that should only be performed by the RN.

I'm way too old and tired to get into an RN/LPN war here. I was giving advice to a poster who asked a question. She now has her question answered..and the answer again is yes.

I disagree with you 100% about your thoughts that LPNs shouldn't be called nurses or have broad scopes of practice. You comments would have bothered me 25 years ago maybe...but I've heard it all before. I've been doing this for a long time. Most of the nurses who say things like you have....are new grad RNs (most of whom are former LPNs come to think of it) who are insecure about their own clinical abilities or have their self esteem wrapped up in the initials behind their name.

I'm way too old and tired to get into an RN/LPN war here. I was giving advice to a poster who asked a question. She now has her question answered..and the answer again is yes.

I disagree with you 100% about your thoughts that LPNs shouldn't be called nurses or have broad scopes of practice. You comments would have bothered me 25 years ago maybe...but I've heard it all before. I've been doing this for a long time. Most of the nurses who say things like you have....are new grad RNs (most of whom are former LPNs come to think of it) who are insecure about their own clinical abilities or have their self esteem wrapped up in the initials behind their name.

Wow, Hazel I am sure that you have plenty of experience! I agree I think LPN's are suited to work in infectious disease. I am sure you have seen plenty of changes in the profession over time Hazel!!! I admire that you have remained in nursing that long.

Karen

I'm way too old and tired to get into an RN/LPN war here. I was giving advice to a poster who asked a question. She now has her question answered..and the answer again is yes.

I disagree with you 100% about your thoughts that LPNs shouldn't be called nurses or have broad scopes of practice. You comments would have bothered me 25 years ago maybe...but I've heard it all before. I've been doing this for a long time. Most of the nurses who say things like you have....are new grad RNs (most of whom are former LPNs come to think of it) who are insecure about their own clinical abilities or have their self esteem wrapped up in the initials behind their name.

So now you are telling me that you know more than what the PhDs and NPs who have written RN transition (transition teaches about RN legal issues of the nursing profession) text books? Don't you think they might know just a little more than someone without a degree? Funny how you try to indicate that you know what my clinical abilities are or my experiences. This has nothing to do with self-esteem but has all to do with the legal aspects of nursing. Since it has been 4 decades since you have been to nursing school, you shouldn't be so fast to think you know anything about what nursing professors are teaching these days. You say you are too old and tired to get into RN and LPN wars. There is no war and maybe you are the one who has the problem. What I am stating are facts and the facts remain that a LPN works under the supervision of a RN. There is no state that would allow anything different! Therefore it is the RN who is responsible for the compentency of the those under supervision. By the way you didn't mention which state you say allows a LPN's scope of practice to include hanging blood products or administrating a bolus. I am very curious to know.

Since this is no longer an infectious disease nursing discussion I am closing this thread. This discussion can be restarted in another area of the board such as General Nursing Discussion.