What CAN'T LPN's do?

Nurses LPN/LVN

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After stressing out for a year about what to do, I've decided to change my major to LPN instead of RN. I want to hurry up and become a nurse. I've wanted this since I was a little girl.

But I keep hearing how LPN's can't do this and can't do that. I'm in North Carolina and I've seen many job openings for LPN's so I'm not worried about not being able to find a job. Also, the NCLEX pass rate for LPN's at my school is 100% whereas the pass rate for the ADN students is 77%.

Anyways, what is meant by IV push? I'm still working on my pre-reqs, so there's a lot I don't know. I heard that LPN's can't do IV push. I've gone the the NC Board of Nursing website, but can't find anything saying what LPN's can and can't do.

Thanks

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You should read the "Nurse Practice Act" for your State. In Illinois LPN's can not give IV Push drugs, flush lines with heparin, or give blood products. These are just a few that I can remember. Each State may vary. Good luck with the program.

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After stressing out for a year about what to do, I've decided to change my major to LPN instead of RN. I want to hurry up and become a nurse. I've wanted this since I was a little girl.

But I keep hearing how LPN's can't do this and can't do that. I'm in North Carolina and I've seen many job openings for LPN's so I'm not worried about not being able to find a job. Also, the NCLEX pass rate for LPN's at my school is 100% whereas the pass rate for the ADN students is 77%.

Anyways, what is meant by IV push? I'm still working on my pre-reqs, so there's a lot I don't know. I heard that LPN's can't do IV push. I've gone the the NC Board of Nursing website, but can't find anything saying what LPN's can and can't do.

Thanks

LPNs here can't do initial assessments, spike blood, give IV push meds, mix IV meds...there are some other things too. You also want to keep in mind that many hospitals no longer hire LPNs. My hospital system no longer hires them. There are maybe a handleful throughout the system but they have been there a long time and won't be replaced by any new LPNs. LPNs are used lots in LTC and homecare. I loved working in homecare as an LPN. The pay was pretty good and the autonomy was great. I highly suggest if you want to be less limited to hold out for the ADN program. Many new doors were opened to me once I obtained my RN licensure. I am less restricted, have more autonomy, and am paid more as an RN. If you chose the LPN route you can still bridge over at some point. One advantage to going the bridge over route is the ability work as an LPN while attendeding ADN school.

Best wishes,

Denice

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Well, I would say check with the State regulations. It can vary widely but you also have to remember the hospital will also define your scope of practice.

I've worked in provinces where I've done initial assessments, discharges, wound care, family conferences, etc. I've also worked in a hospital where I was little more than labour to move the patient and do ADL, nurses 100 km in a different health authority were working to full scope of practice.

I've thought about bridging over but in all honest I don't plan on working for more than another 10 years, so it really wouldn't be worth it for me (by the time I've paid back student loans, debt incurred due to not being in steady employment, and lost pension contributions).

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.

My middle daughter is a LPN, and loves what she does! She works in home health, especially with the pedi population. Her only complaint is the number of miles she puts on her car each work day. She loves the day hours, no weekends unless she volunteers to work weekends for someone else. She likes the pay, and has NEVER wanted to work in a hospital as a bedside nurse, so she's content for now. She wanted to become an RN, but now that she sees what RNs have to do, she's not sure she can really "get into that stuff". :chuckle

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My middle daughter is a LPN, and loves what she does! She works in home health, especially with the pedi population. Her only complaint is the number of miles she puts on her car each work day. She loves the day hours, no weekends unless she volunteers to work weekends for someone else. She likes the pay, and has NEVER wanted to work in a hospital as a bedside nurse, so she's content for now. She wanted to become an RN, but now that she sees what RNs have to do, she's not sure she can really "get into that stuff". :chuckle

Thanks for the positive input about your daughter. What kind of day hours does she work? Full time or part time? Also, what is a ballpark figure of what home care pays? They pay $13.75 here at one hospital for LPN's that have 1 year experience. There are 2 other hospitals that hire LPN's straight out of school, but it doesn't list the pay rate. As for home care here, I have no clue what they pay because I don't know any LPN's that do home care. I would love to try out home care though. There's SO MUCH that I want to try out!

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Depends on the state you live in and, sometimes, the practice traditions of the local facilities. For instance, in Texas an LVN can give meds IV push AFTER getting credentialed through his/her employer (usually a class or self-study plus precepted practice before being allowed to do it alone). However, even though the state allows it under these conditions, many hospitals choose not to allow LVNs to be credentialed because there is a discrepancy in the education and an increase in insurance risk. My question is, why would you expect to have the same responsibilities and privileges as someone with twice the amount of education?

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I currently work in North Carolina as a Lpn',we can't do IV Pushes and the inital assesment of pt. But we can hang blood.

I'm currently in school for my ASN degree and being a Lpn helps when you're contiuing your nursing education. Well, whatever you decide,Good Luck

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Specializes in Community Health Nurse.
Thanks for the positive input about your daughter. What kind of day hours does she work? Full time or part time? Also, what is a ballpark figure of what home care pays? They pay $13.75 here at one hospital for LPN's that have 1 year experience. There are 2 other hospitals that hire LPN's straight out of school, but it doesn't list the pay rate. As for home care here, I have no clue what they pay because I don't know any LPN's that do home care. I would love to try out home care though. There's SO MUCH that I want to try out!

My daughter works from 8 to 5 Monday thru Friday. Any weekend cases she may have are ones she signs up for if no one else wants them, and she also has some long term pedi cases she won't part with. She loves the kids! :) She loves the hours because she has an eight year old son to care for after he gets out of school. She also likes to spend good quality time with him so he doesn't feel left out.

I'm not real sure of her pay per hour, she's always telling me the total amount of her paycheck which varies depending on whether she works extra or not. I think she told me $16.00 to $18.00 per hour. I'll ask her next time I talk to her.

My daughter also served four years as a Corpman in the Navy, so while in the Navy, she worked in Navy hospitals doing a lot more than most LPNs/LVNs can do when working civilian. Her Navy Corpman experience gave her the confidence and a lot of preparation to do what she does anyway. Any military medic is awesome to see in action! They can pretty much run circles around any civilian RN and what an RN can do. :)

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My daughter works from 8 to 5 Monday thru Friday. Any weekend cases she may have are ones she signs up for if no one else wants them, and she also has some long term pedi cases she won't part with. She loves the kids! :) She loves the hours because she has an eight year old son to care for after he gets out of school. She also likes to spend good quality time with him so he doesn't feel left out.

I'm not real sure of her pay per hour, she's always telling me the total amount of her paycheck which varies depending on whether she works extra or not. I think she told me $16.00 to $18.00 per hour. I'll ask her next time I talk to her.

My daughter also served four years as a Corpman in the Navy, so while in the Navy, she worked in Navy hospitals doing a lot more than most LPNs/LVNs can do when working civilian. Her Navy Corpman experience gave her the confidence and a lot of preparation to do what she does anyway. Any military medic is awesome to see in action! They can pretty much run circles around any civilian RN and what an RN can do. :)

Yes, the pedi homecare is great as an LPN. If one doesn't desire hospital nursing then this is a great way to go. I did the pedi homecare for several years and really enjoyed it. I was able to pick my own hours and days. The down side is travel and benefits. I highly recommend pedi homecare--especially with a reputable agency.

Denice

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I currently work in North Carolina as a Lpn',we can't do IV Pushes and the inital assesment of pt. But we can hang blood.

I'm currently in school for my ASN degree and being a Lpn helps when you're contiuing your nursing education. Well, whatever you decide,Good Luck

What is an IV PUSH? And whereabouts in NC are you? I'm in Winston-Salem. :)

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I am an LVN. I work in a pediatric clinic-private practice in San Diego. I make $21.00/hour. I love the hours and the office setting. No weekends or nights, holidays off, etc. etc.

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