LPN nurse manager in LTC

Specialties LTC Directors

Published

My nursing experience does not include LTC so I hope someone can assist me with me with my question.

I recently ran into an old aquaintance who informed me her DIL, a relatively new LPN with less than 2 years experience, was working in a local LTC as a unit manager of a non-medicare unit. This LTC facility is part of a large corportation in the US. Tell me, how does it work with supervision when a non-RN oversees and supervises the work of an RN. I know there are RN's that work on that unit.

Thank you for your time.

Ruby

Specializes in LTC/SNF.

I am not own to take constructive critisms to heart, I take it as a learning experience. Like I said it must vary from state to state. And I am supervised by my nurse consultant. As for nursing assessments and care plans LPN do thm in my state. they assess the patients and obtain orders and call the doctors. we are only are required to have 8 hours of RN coverage each day. Do you guys have RN every shift?

Specializes in acute care and geriatric.
No one is saying that an LPN does or does not work UNDER the supervision or direction of an RN. BUT we DO NOT work under their license. We have our own. A mistake an LPN makes could not and would not effect an RN license.

When an LPN holds a DON, ADON or Head Nurse position and an RN is working under her ( as staff nurse) , then yes, an RN is working under the supervision of an LPN, ( reread the original post). Decisions made could theoretically affect the RN's license. While each nurse of course has her own license, and covers her own mistakes, I have seen mistakes and lawsuits that attack those supervising the person who made the mistake. We all have to document and cover our own u-know- whats.

Specializes in acute care and geriatric.
I am not own to take constructive critisms to heart, I take it as a learning experience. Like I said it must vary from state to state. And I am supervised by my nurse consultant. As for nursing assessments and care plans LPN do thm in my state. they assess the patients and obtain orders and call the doctors. we are only are required to have 8 hours of RN coverage each day. Do you guys have RN every shift?

Certain procedures can only be done by RN's ( and of course there are procedures that can only be done be MD's etc., etc.). Depending on the facilities license (SNF, or LTC or ALF) dictates whether you must have an RN all the time or if an LPN (or LVN) is enough.

I sort of fill in for the DON when she is on vacation or whatever. During the day when the RN is in the building, she is in charge...when her 8-hour shift is over, the LPN charge nurses are in charge and they call me with questions or problems (none of the RNs are willing to take call). If it is a medical / nursing question, most of the time it can be cleared up by looking up the policy / procedure or calling the doctor. If it is a staffing issue, I can usually take care of it and the administrator will back me as needed. Family issues go to Social Services. I can always call the DON if anything really out of the ordinary happens.

I don't really supervise anyone, I'm just the go-to person when things come up. I really try to be visible and a team player so that when there are concerns people will respect my decisions and not take advantage of the fact that the DON is out of town. But...I am much more willing than the RNs are to pull out the 'B' card if I need to.

Specializes in LTC-MDS.

Well I would have to say Go for all LPN's that works at unit managers and any management position. LPN's in most states work up under the DON and Administrator License. I work for Senior Health Management here in Florida, they have buildings in Boston, and I will tell you that management company say the state survey there are nothing like Florida. What Florida would get Immedidate Jeopardy. Boston would get a pat on the back. I have worked in LTC for 7 years as LPN I have held multiple positions as LPN. MDS for 4 years, Risk manager for 2 years. yes, I am certified as a risk manager. I have acted as the ADON. I am back in nursing school. New RN's are at time clueless d/t experience. I have ben to Florida state board of Nursing, for training purpose. I have never experience a RN getting her license pull for a LPN. I have seen RN and LPN license pull for drugs and facility turning license in for nurses not passing meds. Most LTC rename forms such as Data collection. so no Rn assessment is not needed. Some RN's do have what we call RN' itis.

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