[brian]

The changes at Mercy and Unity hospitals are meant to improve care, but unions say the remaining nurses will be stretched too thin.

All 90 licensed practical nursing jobs at Mercy and Unity hospitals in the northern suburbs are being eliminated by next year, drawing criticism from unions that say the move is based more on saving money than improving quality.

The Coon Rapids and Fridley hospitals, which operate as one business, said the move to remove the licensed practical nurses (LPNs) was part of a plan to put more care-giving directly in the hands of the more highly trained registered nurses (RNs).

Full Story: 2 hospitals to drop licensed practical nurses [Minneapolis Star Tribune,MN]

[Marie_LPN]

"They have been essential members of the patient care team," O'Connell said. "We look forward to continuing to work with them in other parts of our organization."

Oh, yes, nothing says "essential member" like elimination.

And i find it pretty pathetic that the RNs weren't given a voice in this decision, either.

[TheCommuter]

My heart bleeds for the LPNs who will be phased out of the hospital positions as well as the RNs who will likely be spread thin as they perform the bedside duties of the phased-out LPNs in the very near future.

It is imperative that I secure my future by bridging over to an RN program within the next one to three years.

[Marie_LPN]

If it wasn't for wanting to teach eventually, i'd stay right where i am, nurse-wise.

[michelle95]

You know what, Marie? I would have, too. I had better jobs and was happier as an LPN.

Or, maybe it's the area I've moved to. I dunno.

[N.S.46]

My father had to be put in the hospital yesterday. The hospital he's at does not have any LPN's, they have gone to PCT's (Patient Care Technician). I asked one of them what is the difference between them & a NA. She said they do everything the LPN's used to do; tx, drsg. changes, inserting caths (that bothers me ), tube feedings , etc. I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that.

[fergus51]

RNs try to protect their jobs from LPNs, LPNs try to protect their jobs from PCTs, PCTs try to protect their jobs from NAs.... and the hospital administrators just keep counting the money they save.

[Marie_LPN]

tube feedings

TUBE FEEDINGS????? What a nightmare.

[geekgolightly]

Originally Posted by Marie_LPN

TUBE FEEDINGS????? What a nightmare.

I am in full agreement. The techs at my hospital do not change rate at all, and only stop and start and flush feedings for transport, and still I am uncomfortable with that. I am also uncomfortable with the cath insertions, or was, but the techs on my floor are well versed inserting foleys. They also draw blood with butterflies. They do not touch IV's or centrals.

[Marie_LPN]

I only stopped a feeding if i were doing pt. care (laying the bed flat).

And i'd tell the nurse "ok i'm turning it off" going in the room and "ok it's back on" when i left the room.

No way, as a tech, would i have EVEN wanted the responsibility of tube feeding.