2 questons about LPN

rehab nurse · Aug 28, 2006

hi there,

i'll reply both cause I am an LPN (hope to be RN by December) for 10 years now, and I did work on L&D for 2.5 years when I lived out of state (miilitary).

There is no difference between LPN and LVN. P stands for practical, V for vocational. LVN's are in California and Texas. I don't know of any other states that call LPN's LVN's.

Yes, depending on the state or facility you are allowed in the laboring woman's room. I worked in NC. I was the sole LPN on the unit, with one CNA, the rest RN's. I was certified in neonatal resuscitation, was responsible for the baby once born and did the apgar scores, basic care once under the warmer, or I was the one (with an RN usually) to run the baby to NICU if there was an issue. I also did help with setting the mom's up on the monitors, getting u/a's, helping them get comfortable for the RN to assess labor process. Inserting foley's, inserting IV's, fetching meds for the RN in an emergency, etc. My main purpose though, was to be available for the stat sections done. I was the scrub nurse, the RN circulated. I had to set up delivery tables for the doc, set up the OR tables, etc. It was a very nice job, very taxing, poor pay (south usually was for LPN's in hospitals). I had to take babies who were preterm and born (18 weekers for example) who did not survive down to the lab. That was the hardest part. I also was involved in the mom's with known fetal demise: taking the baby and getting them cleaned up, took pics, put together the memory box to

give to the parents. That part was always hard, I never did get used to it.

I had a pretty varied job, which was nice. I also took care of postpartum moms until they had a room ready on mother/baby, and would take the mom and baby over there and give report. sometimes the RN would go along as well, and they always did until they knew I could do the job properly. Had to massage the fundus, assess the bleeding, help the mom's get cleaned up, etc. Made sure they urinated. D/C's IV's, hung new one's etc.

I was obviously never allowed to touch Pitocin or adjust the rate. RN's had to do that.

It was very rewarding, overall. Did learn a lot. Up here where I live, they don't allow LPN's on the unit at all. So I was glad to get a taste of it while I could.

Good luck to you!

new_mom2005 · Aug 28, 2006

WOW!!!! Thank you so much for the info!! You sure are alot of help!!!.P.S. I love the pic of Greg House on your profile.....

rehab nurse · Aug 28, 2006

oh,you're welcome!

yes, I love House too! :)

lisabeth · Aug 28, 2006

hi there,
i'll reply both cause I am an LPN (hope to be RN by December) for 10 years now, and I did work on L&D for 2.5 years when I lived out of state (miilitary).
There is no difference between LPN and LVN. P stands for practical, V for vocational. LVN's are in California and Texas. I don't know of any other states that call LPN's LVN's.
Yes, depending on the state or facility you are allowed in the laboring woman's room. I worked in NC. I was the sole LPN on the unit, with one CNA, the rest RN's. I was certified in neonatal resuscitation, was responsible for the baby once born and did the apgar scores, basic care once under the warmer, or I was the one (with an RN usually) to run the baby to NICU if there was an issue. I also did help with setting the mom's up on the monitors, getting u/a's, helping them get comfortable for the RN to assess labor process. Inserting foley's, inserting IV's, fetching meds for the RN in an emergency, etc. My main purpose though, was to be available for the stat sections done. I was the scrub nurse, the RN circulated. I had to set up delivery tables for the doc, set up the OR tables, etc. It was a very nice job, very taxing, poor pay (south usually was for LPN's in hospitals). I had to take babies who were preterm and born (18 weekers for example) who did not survive down to the lab. That was the hardest part. I also was involved in the mom's with known fetal demise: taking the baby and getting them cleaned up, took pics, put together the memory box to
give to the parents. That part was always hard, I never did get used to it.
I had a pretty varied job, which was nice. I also took care of postpartum moms until they had a room ready on mother/baby, and would take the mom and baby over there and give report. sometimes the RN would go along as well, and they always did until they knew I could do the job properly. Had to massage the fundus, assess the bleeding, help the mom's get cleaned up, etc. Made sure they urinated. D/C's IV's, hung new one's etc.
I was obviously never allowed to touch Pitocin or adjust the rate. RN's had to do that.
It was very rewarding, overall. Did learn a lot. Up here where I live, they don't allow LPN's on the unit at all. So I was glad to get a taste of it while I could.
Good luck to you!

I bet it would be really great doing all of that. I think it would be so hard though putting i.v.s in a baby. I remember seeing one in my daughters head and I nearly started crying.

rehab nurse · Aug 29, 2006

I bet it would be really great doing all of that. I think it would be so hard though putting i.v.s in a baby. I remember seeing one in my daughters head and I nearly started crying.

oh no, maybe i messed up a sentence somewhere. i did NOT put any lines in the babies. i could only give narcan via injection route, not IV. if the babies were in any way needed more care than basic well baby care and normal monitoring, we were running to NICU if they weren't already in the room with us. i only inserted iv's in the mom's!

and yes, it was a nice balance of responsibilities. i did enjoy it very much. the funnest part was during down time, sitting in newborn nursery and feeding and cuddling the babies. very nice :)

new_mom2005 · Aug 29, 2006

Thanks once again..... I would love to help in the birthing process....... that is my dream.. AND GOOD LUCK WITH THE RN

lisabeth · Aug 29, 2006

oh no, maybe i messed up a sentence somewhere. i did NOT put any lines in the babies. i could only give narcan via injection route, not IV. if the babies were in any way needed more care than basic well baby care and normal monitoring, we were running to NICU if they weren't already in the room with us. i only inserted iv's in the mom's!
and yes, it was a nice balance of responsibilities. i did enjoy it very much. the funnest part was during down time, sitting in newborn nursery and feeding and cuddling the babies. very nice :)

Yes, I could definitly handle doing that. :)