Calling all LPNs?? What is and is not in your Scope of Practice compared to an RN?

[Nrs_angie]

Hello all LPNs,

I am starting a new job at a hospital that uses the Team Nursing approach (RNs, LPNs, and CNAs). I have never worked with LPNs or CNAs before. At my last hospital, they used Techs which were like CNAs but they could also draw blood, and a few other things. Can any of you remind me, what an LPN can and can not do? also what a CNA can and cannot do? Also, if you have any advice on how to work with the LPN's and CNAs as a new employee. All the other RNs on this unit have been there for years. So I dont want to step on anyone's toes.

Thanks so much,

Angie

[OgopogoLPN, LPN, RN]

That I'm not too sure about! I used to work in Maternity all the time when I first graduated(2001) and then our nurse manager decided that LPN's shouldn't work there anymore (no reason given, just a control thing!) I still do occasionally work there but only when they are desperate! I know that in other hospitals in the region, LPN's do work in Mat. We don't do L&D although I have assisted with a few deliveries, mainly just a runner person. We can work post-partum though.

Thank you! I would love to do L + D, but if I can't I would love post partum. I imagine it is a more difficult ward to get posted on though?

[shoegirl28]

Where I work LPN"s in the hospital setting (rehab or acute care) LPN's take their own patient load of up to 4-7 patients. They do all their own assessments and care, as well as medication administration. If a patient assigned to the LPN has IV meds the RN will administer them. (We work in LPN/RN teams). LPN's can assess the iv site though and change iv solution bags that do NOT have potassium in them.

LPN's can do many of the same procedures RN"s do. However the key is LPN's must always have the most stable patient's and some procedures can't be performed on stable patent's due to other underlying conditions (example normally LPN's insert urinary catheters, but if a patient has major prostate issues or other underlying issues that might make insertion difficult, then the RN will perform the skill).

[purenholy]

I worked in subacute rehab and did admissions and discharges, assessments, ekg, blood draws and hanging of IV solutions and piggy backs. I had my side, the rn had her side. I have inserted foleys, suprapubics, ngt, gt , started iv's ect...did not hang blood, just monitored. No iv push meds