this is off base when it comes to LPN's

[GN1974]

http://www.amda.com/caring/october2004/lpns.htm

I know I have my share of debates when it comes to scopes of practice but this article is really off base! I guess after reading this article I agree with some of the other posters who have called for LPNs to become certified in some speciality areas. I guess I saw all the bickering between levels of nursing but I never realized until reading this article how little some really don't understand what LPN's do. When I did long term care as an LPN I was often the only nurse in the building (on night shift). I think the person writing this may need to follow an LPN one day on the job. While I have argued that RN's do have a greater knowledge base (at least I learned more with my generals and nursing courses), I certainly have had a new light shed on what LPN's are up against. I had been in my own little homecare area so long that I did not realize how much the LPN practice is misunderstood to other healthcare professionals and the public. I always felt that I was very capable to care for my patients--what I thought was the biggest problem in LTC was the lack of help.

Karen

[lpn1313]

So, if this person is correct, I can collect data but not draw conclusions about it. I guess the next time I come across a resident with crappy vitals and blue hands and feet I should run to the nearest RN and tell her about it Because I don't understand the big picture. I never realized just how uneducated and dumb I really am :chuckle . He may be a medical director somewhere but I sure as heck wouldn't work with a jerk like him. And as far as not having continuing ed. about geriatrics, you can get certified in LTC. Sure hope that I never have to take care of this man's family member- talk about the family from he**! :smackingf

[nurse_wannabe]

So, if this person is correct, I can collect data but not draw conclusions about it.

I think he is even skeptical about the LPNs ability to collect data!

[Gator,SN]

Too often LPNs struggle in the middle between RNs, aides, and physicians. With enough training to do more than basic care, but insufficient education to assess and synthesize, LPNs are often used as RN surrogates. They are frequently asked to gather data without an appreciation for the clinical context in which it must be placed.

Funny, just about every transfer that I get in CCU from a LTC facility comes with paperwork that is filled out by an LPN who caught the problem and reported it.

LPNs receive almost no training on administrative and managerial topics specific to long-term care. Quality improvement, ethical and legal issues, time management, family dynamics, and supervision of aides are rarely taught to LPNs. Yet we expect people barely out of high school to possess or somehow rapidly gain these skills when they enter long-term care

...and yet they manage to accomplish all this and then some. Every single day for every single patient.

My best friend was an LPN for 20+ years and she did admission assessments and started IV's and had her own patient assignments for decades. Things have changed and I realize that, but instead of making all LPN's sound like brainless twits, I applaud them and all that they do.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

If someone is going to form an expert opinion on a group of nurses, then perhaps he should go through the same schooling and become one. Obviously, he didn't learn much by his selective "research".