[LVNwannaBE2007]

i have a question i got in a heated debate today with my DON over if care planning is a rn or lvn school... (btw she was one of my lvn teachers) yes they teach you how to write a care plan in lvn school but i was also told it was an rn skill...... but lvns follow it for a plan of care for the patient... can someone help me out here?

[TheCommuter]

I have been an LVN for about 2 years to this date. I hand-wrote plenty of care plans while in school, but I have never devised any care plans while working as an LVN. I simply follow the pre-printed care plans that arise from the daily care plan meetings, even though I'm probably the only person who reads them. The care plans can be found in an obscure tab toward the back of every patient's chart.

[txspadequeen921]

I have done them and updated them more than I care to admit. I think it depends on the facility you work at more than anything...

Originally Posted by LVNwannaBE2007

i have a question i got in a heated debate today with my DON over if care planning is a rn or lvn school... (btw she was one of my lvn teachers) yes they teach you how to write a care plan in lvn school but i was also told it was an rn skill...... but lvns follow it for a plan of care for the patient... can someone help me out here?

[LVNwannaBE2007]

ok i understand that but who initially writes them... rn or lvn?

[txspadequeen921]

I have initially wrote many and I mean MANY care plans... But thank the good Lord for pre- printed ones...

Originally Posted by LVNwannaBE2007

ok i understand that but who initially writes them... rn or lvn?

[txspadequeen921]

Now that I think about it we have a LVN that does nothing but Write out Care plans ...We have not upgraded to the fancy pre-printed .. However I have worked in places that do have them..saves mountains of time.

[TheCommuter]

Originally Posted by LVNwannaBE2007

ok i understand that but who initially writes them... rn or lvn?

At the facility where I am employed, the care plans are pre-printed for a variety of conditions, risks, and diagnoses (pain, fall risk, alteration in comfort, etc.). No care plans are written; they are automatically computer-generated. Several members of the facility's "care plan team" must sign the pre-printed care plans to indicate approval of the patient's plan of care. This team consists of 1 RN (the DON) and several LVNs (the ADONs).

[caliotter3]

I was taught that even though LVNs learn care planning in school, that care planning is an RN function. Every employer that I've worked for had an RN's signature on any care plan that I've ever seen, whether preprinted or written out. I was also taught that it is the LVN/LPNs responsibility to follow the care plan and to report any significant changes to the RN so that the RN can revise the care plan as necessary. It does not surprise me that many places would have LVN/LPNs actually doing the care plans but having an RN read them and sign off on them.

[NancyNurse08]

In my state, I am allowed to contribute to the plan of care, but an RN writes the care plan. At my facility, we have pre-printed care plans that we simply individualize for the patient. That is an RN function.

[txspadequeen921]

I think it also makes a difference what area you work in . In Hospitals RN's probably do the care plans but in LTC the LVN's are heavily involved. Believe me it is a chore someone else can take care of.