[pagandeva2000]

Originally Posted by HERNANDO-RN

I Certainly Hope So. In My Opinion, Lpn's Do Not Belong In The Acute Care Setting Due To Their Limited Scope Of Practice. There Are A Few Remaining Lpn's At My Hospital...and It Is A Burden Working With Them. They Cannot Take Telephone Orders, Do Admission Assessments Or Iv Pushes....that Gets Dumped On The Rn's Working With Them.

Well, I am sorry that you have been burdened. I am not even saying this to be rude...I am. Now, of course, I, as an LPN beg to differ with you, though in what things LPNs can do within our scopes of practice in certain areas of acute care. I can see the difficulty of LPNs working in specialized settings such as Labor and Delivery, ICU, NICU, and such, however, most of us are a help to RNs working in med-surg by administering the majority of the medications, treatments and tasks such as catherization, dressings, tube feedings and such. And, there are ways around some of them, because LPNs can assist. A small example is that LPNs at my facility cannot accept adnormal labs. But, many of us will assist the RN by sending the telegram (in my clinic setting), paging the physician, contacting the patient to arrange for follow up visits, and in some facilities, they are doing initial assessments, but the RN has to countersign. Yes, this is light stuff compared to what you may have to deal with in your daily battles, but the point I am trying to say is that many of us try to work around the framework of the scope of practice to create team unity rather than animosity. Of course, I have to protect my license the same as you do yours, but this doesn't mean that I would watch you kill yourself if there is some portion of the burden I can legally take off of you. It is almost the same as saying that a CNA can't help you, either...they can do even less than we can.

It does depend on the place of work and the scope of practice within the state. I can see how this would be a possible burden for an overworked RN, but if some LPNs still exist in your place of work and you get along with them, see if they can or will meet you halfway in getting your tasks done. Hope it gets better for you.

[debanam]

I work as an LPN in a New Jersey ER. I am probably the last LPN hired in this hospital. That being said, LPNs are being phased out of hospitals for the most part. However, hospital pay is low, and LPNs do better in LTC.

As for being a burden, thankfully the RN's I work with are glad to see us. We work to the full scope of our practice and are a part of a team. My friend worked on the ortho floor upstairs and did quit because of being made to feel like a burden. She's happily employed in a Assisted Living facility where her talents are appreciated.

I'm sorry that any RN feels that way, but it does happen. I generally convert these RN's by the end of the shift, but some are so stuck in their mindset, there is nothing you can do. I did notice that many of these RN's are very insecure. Just my and my personal opinion and not meant to resemble any person posting on this board.

I love being an LPN. If I could afford it, I'd stay an LPN forever. I'm pursuing my RN just so I can stay in the ER and support myself. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother. I get all the fun stuff to do and none of the aggravation that the RN does.

[HeartsOpenWide]

One of the hospitals in my area has NO LVNs/LVNs or CNAs, another smaller hospital has just one for the entire hospital (and one CNA per shift). They practically run the nursing homes though

[scoobygirl]

I'm doing clinicals in a hospital now that has changed their policy about not hiring too many LPN's. Reason: because the RN's and LPN's are bittering too much. How true that is I don't know. BUT!!!! I've had words with an RN already that is treating some of us (in my clinical group) like were trash because we're "students". The hospitals HR will be getting a nasty letter about her soon enough. Angie

[pagandeva2000]

Originally Posted by scoobygirl

I'm doing clinicals in a hospital now that has changed their policy about not hiring too many LPN's. Reason: because the RN's and LPN's are bittering too much. How true that is I don't know. BUT!!!! I've had words with an RN already that is treating some of us (in my clinical group) like were trash because we're "students". The hospitals HR will be getting a nasty letter about her soon enough. Angie

Just make sure that you have completed your program to it's entirety before you call in the hound dogs. You'd be surprized at what schools put up with to obtain clinical sites and you don't want your name mixed with this until it is completely over.

One of the RN program instructors took a group of her students to a long term care facility and a student noticed a drastic difference between the blood pressure taken by a CNA and her own. She asked her professor to check with her, and she got the same as the student. That professor stated she noticed this before and decided to report to their DON what she suspected. An argument between the clinical instructor, the DON and our college ensued. The college told the professor that she was risking all of the work it took for them to get this clinical site and what she should have done is used that as a learning experience for the nurse to check her own vitals. You'd think that the poor patients would have been brought up, but, no. It was dollars and cents. If a school can basically berate a professor, they can do worse to a student trying to get their own foot in the door of their career. Just a word of caution-not saying I don't support your desire. What I would do is write the letter while you are angry and remember the details, and then mail it the day after graduation.

[BCCnurse]

I know that LPN's are being phased out in the coastal counties of Mississippi.There are only two out of 4 hospitals that still hire LPN's.And one of the two is hard to get on at becouse they only have one or two openings rarely.And in the office jobs MA's are being hired since they can do practically all that the LPN's can and they do not have to pay them as much.(injustice to MA's they work hard),Seems that pretty soon LTC will be the only option for me if I decide to change jobs.Unless by some divine intervention I start making enough money to go back to school.

[scoobygirl]

I'm from Picayune, MS. Now living In TN. My husband's friend (if you're interested) said that New Orleans hospitals were hiring LPN @ $27/hr. Just be packing heat if you do it. Angie

[scoobygirl]

Thanks Pagandeva. I will. I think we'll actually make a personal visit to HR when we graduate in August. My classmate just couldn't believe how she was being treated. My classmate is very quite and does whatever told. Angie

[pagandeva2000]

Originally Posted by scoobygirl

Thanks Pagandeva. I will. I think we'll actually make a personal visit to HR when we graduate in August. My classmate just couldn't believe how she was being treated. My classmate is very quite and does whatever told. Angie

Yeah, it is a shame, but don't let this ruin your chances. You put in the blood, sweat, tears and time. Don't let an idiot get away with ruining your career options. But, report her, yes. And, that would be sweet revenge, because she wouldn't expect it.

[tferdaise]

Welcome to the jungle..

First off, it all depends on what state you live in. I can take Telephone orders, as well as hang Antibiotics, but I can not do IV pushs. THe time LPNs are burden to you RNs is when you want us to be.

Originally Posted by HERNANDO-RN

I Certainly Hope So. In My Opinion, Lpn's Do Not Belong In The Acute Care Setting Due To Their Limited Scope Of Practice. There Are A Few Remaining Lpn's At My Hospital...and It Is A Burden Working With Them. They Cannot Take Telephone Orders, Do Admission Assessments Or Iv Pushes....that Gets Dumped On The Rn's Working With Them.