LPN's with limited scope

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

There are many LPN's in acute and sub acute settings who have recently had their duties cut back to that of a UAP, so I suppose one could be called a Licensed Assistive Person. But still are bound by the standards of their license.

With such a limited scope, how do you maintain that boundry? Through job description duties?

Just curious if anyone has recently experienced this with a BSN minded acute and step down care models.

NOT looking for legal advice, per TOS, and will in fact call the BON for those type of concerns. However, how do you go from a primary care nurse to an assistive person and be ok with that?

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Full disclosure - I began my nursing career as an LVN - wanted to make sure it was for me before I made the commitment to a BSN.

I realize that this may be perceived to be a disrespectful change, but if it brings about a clearer working relationship, the outcome will be beneficial for everyone. In TX, I have heard this expression a lot over the years "LVNs work to the maximum scope of their licensure; RNs also work to the maximum scope of the LVN licensure" Unfortunately, it is a true reflection of the situation in many settings.

Therein lies the problem. RNs tend to expect the LP/VN's job performance to be equivalent to theirs... they don't step in when they should. Frequently, LP/VNs are forced into a terrible position - either exceed the bounds of their licensure or have their patients suffer the consequences.

It's a wonderful idea to clarifying exactly who is responsible for what. And then enforce the rules. RNs need to earn those higher salaries.

[Pangea Reunited, ASN, RN]

Full disclosure - I began my nursing career as an LVN - wanted to make sure it was for me before I made the commitment to a BSN.

I realize that this may be perceived to be a disrespectful change, but if it brings about a clearer working relationship, the outcome will be beneficial for everyone. In TX, I have heard this expression a lot over the years "LVNs work to the maximum scope of their licensure; RNs also work to the maximum scope of the LVN licensure" Unfortunately, it is a true reflection of the situation in many settings.

Therein lies the problem. RNs tend to expect the LP/VN's job performance to be equivalent to theirs... they don't step in when they should. Frequently, LP/VNs are forced into a terrible position - either exceed the bounds of their licensure or have their patients suffer the consequences.

It's a wonderful idea to clarifying exactly who is responsible for what. And then enforce the rules. RNs need to earn those higher salaries.

In Texas, I was often given 8 acute care patients and assigned an LVN with 8 acute care patients, as well. Luckily, we had good LVNS ...because there was no time to "step in" and earn a higher RN salary. I just hoped the patients I hadn't seen for hours were still alive.

[vintage_RN, BSN, RN]

I am an RPN in Ontario, Canada and work on a very acute surgical floor. The RN's and I have the same patient load, the same types of patients and do the exact same job. There is literally no difference. I can always ask anyone for help if needed and if my patient becomes really sick people will help...but not because I'm an RPN...because we all work together and do that for everyone. I am still expected to do everything for my patients.

We were talking with the educator the other day about removing epidurals...which I've been doing since I started there and have had no problems. She said that there needs to be a "line" between RN and RPN scope of practice otherwise what is the point of having 2 types of nurses? So now we are not allowed to remove epidurals...the only reason being that they need "something" to divide us. Although no one knows about this so everyone is still removing them...

We get paid less to do the exact same job....at what cost? It isn't fair to RPNs or RNs. I guess you could say we have the opposite problem here.

Sorry...I guess that doesn't really answer your question at all.