[countryair41]

I have been an Lpn for 17 years. I used to work in the Er in Western NY untill I moved by New York City. I was the first LPN in the ER back home and helped to write what they could and couldn't do. At first the RN really gave me a hard time untill they learned my skills and what i was like by the time i left the ones that gave me the hardest time actually would rather work with me than some of the newer Rn.........anyway I must of showed them that LPN could work in the ER cuz after I left they created 4 positions for LPN's instead of my one. I would just like some feedback on how all of you feel regarding LPN'S in the ER. I am going to be going to move to the Greenville are in S.C. and was wondering if anyone from that area knows if they have LPN's in the ER's or if not any ideas on how to approach the hospitals about trying LPN's in the ER as I really love ER and miss it.
countryair

[erdiane]

i have no problem with an EXPERIENCED LPN in the ER...afterall, LPN's in my facility can start IV's and give all meds, except pushes. What difference does it make? We always have 2 RN's no matter what, so with the 3rd nurse being an LPN would be fine with me. We are a 10 bed, level 2 trauma ed.

[LilgirlRN]

We used to have LPN's working every shift in our ER, now we only have one and when she leaves her position will be filled with an RN. I have no qualms about working with an experienced LPN such as yourself. Used to be just me and an LPN for the night shift, I had to depend on her for a lot of things if it got busy. She was a good nurse and eventually went on to get her RN. Unfortanately, I don't have any information for you about LPN positions in the ER other places. Good luck in finding a position that you enjoy.

[sgavette]

I think that LPN's should be allowed in the ER as long as they are experienced. On weekends during the day where I work, there is a LPN on. She does meds (except pushes), vitals, treatments, IV's, etc. I feel that you are better off to have an LPN then a tech.

[4XNURSE]

countryair41,

Why not? LPNs/LVNs have at least as much training as any EMTs. We have EMTs working in ERs all the time out here. I've worked with several LVNs that were better nurses than some of the RNs. We all come in to work. You do the job to the best of your practice, and shouldn't have to apologize for anything.

[CEN35]

No idea? our ER is all RN's

me

[teeituptom]

Howdy yall
from deep in the heart of texas
The Er Im working in is all RN with the exception of a handfull of techs, to do tech stuff. I know the administration here will never allow lpn/lvns in the Er anymore. Has nothing to do with bad experiences or anything. Just that the way they interpret the laws of texas. or whatever, they feel you need to only have Rn s in the Er.
Keep it in the short grass yall
teeituptom

[traumaRUs]

I was an LPN for two years while completing an RN program. In Illinois, at least in the level I where I work, we don't have LPNs anymore - they phased them out about five years ago. It just got to be very tedious to have to sign off on the assessments and do all the IV meds. However, we still have LPNs in the urgent care facilities.

Not a great idea, in my opinion...too much falls back on the RN. Also, a lack of skill (e.g. pt needed a push cardiac med, LPN drew it up, came up to me and said, "My pt needs some push cardizem, here, I got it ready for you." She couldn't understand why I didn't want to give it.

Lack of understanding ekg's, interventions, etc. And as a result, all the easy pts go to the LPN's and the difficult pts to the RN...ya know, once in a while a sprain or migraine would be nice.

[LerRN95]

I have two LPN that work in our ER. They work from 11a-11p when it is the busiest. They are experienced nurses and I perfer them over calling some RN's from the floor for help in most situations. They do not all lack understanding of EKG's ect. These LPN's are required to take and pass ACLS and PALS, just like the rest of us.

They are a GREAT help, when you are the ONLY RN in the ED. JMPO