Are RN's going to be a thing of the past?

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Just wanted to know your thoughts on the shift from using more LPN's on units instead of RN's as they are cost saving for health authorities. We are beginning to see this in my health authority gradually. Any thoughts?

Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

We have a new RN on our floor that has been out of school for 2 years. I had to explain to her that I wasn't slapping O2 on the new admit to the floor because his sats were 100% on room air.

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Specializes in Trauma Surgical ICU.
We have a new RN on our floor that has been out of school for 2 years. I had to explain to her that I wasn't slapping O2 on the new admit to the floor because his sats were 100% on room air.

100% isn't good enough.. Oh wow, joanna please stop lol.. My neck is gonna hurt from shaking it so much in disbelief..

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

I once worked with a RN who had retired but then came back due to a huge influenza outbreak leaving hospitals really short (she had maintained their license) and couldn't understand why I wouldn't OK a second check on humulin R as she wanted to give 20 units as 2 units didn't look right/enough

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Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.
I once worked with a RN who had retired but then came back due to a huge influenza outbreak leaving hospitals really short (she had maintained their license) and couldn't understand why I wouldn't OK a second check on humulin R as she wanted to give 20 units as 2 units didn't look right/enough

Oh my!

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I was getting report from an a new RN it went like this Her: ''I held MR. B's lasix today because he had runny stools'' Me: ''do you mean lactulose?'' Her: ''No....'' Me: ''........:facepalm:''

As a side there are many many wonderful New RNs who are awesome to work with.

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Specializes in Cardiology.

Really? This thread has turned into an RN bash? Oh the stories I can tell you from some of the LPN's I work with......

Now I know why I never check the CDN forums anymore /eyeroll

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Specializes in ER, Addictions, Geriatrics.
Really? This thread has turned into an RN bash? Oh the stories I can tell you from some of the LPN's I work with......

Now I know why I never check the CDN forums anymore /eyeroll

I was about to comment something similar. I have met nurses (both RPN, and RN, even one NP!) That I would never want looking after my family. Ever! But I've also met so many that have taught me more than I could have ever learned in school. I thought the point of this thread was to discuss the future of nursing in Canada and the changes in scope of practice?

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I trust my dog's doctor more than some human ones I've worked with!

Now back on topic.

I think a more realistic question would be have RNs and their unions priced them out of the workplace?

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Specializes in Critical Care.

This was a really interesting post to read.. I'm on the east coast and can't believe the differences in scopes for LPNs from central Canada to over here! I'm an RN and used to work in ICU (no LPNs hired in ICUs in my facility unless we're really short RNs and they send us one to help out), but I've recently started in Emerge where we have LPNs on staff, and have worked with them on a general surgery floor... I find they are ridiculously helpful, but I sometimes feel bad because they learn so much more, and are capable of so much more than our facility allows. No way are they hanging blood! I recently found out they aren't even supposed to hang IV fluid with KCL in it.

The topic was originally will RNs be a thing of the past... and honestly, in my facility, I worry about this. LPNs are learning blood draws, IV initiation, medication administration, etc. in their courses now. While the facility isn't uptodate with this, I feel like it is only a matter of time. The geriatric floors layed off/displaced multiple RNs a few years ago in favour of LPNs who had their med courses. It hasn't progressed to anywhere else in the hospital yet, but there is talk of pushing RNs into a more administrative role with a larger patient load, where LPNs will be responsible for most of what we do now. It's scary for me as a newer RN.

I also find the LPNs vs RNs thing a little sad... I have utmost respect for (most) of the LPNs I work with, and the ones I don't, has nothing to do with their title! Just like there are some nurses who just shouldn't be nurses... there are also some people who just shouldn't be LPNs... ;)

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Specializes in geriatrics.

We were having a little fun with our thread. No harm in that.

I've worked with great RNs and great LPNs, and some that should probably not be working. The title doesn't make a difference. Can the person reason through their plan of care?

We need both RNs and LPNs, especially once the mass exodus begins. Additional education will be needed as the scope of practise changes. I think they need to revamp the entire RN and PN programs. Teach more patho and critical thinking, in addition to more clinical time. Many nurses are not prepared for the workplace with the current system.

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I'll throw this one into the mix.

Should nurses of any designation who have retired and are collecting their pensions be able to return to work as casuals? There isn't enough positions or hours for casuals as it is but off the top of my head I can think of five working retirees.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I can think of a couple as well! But with our provinces recent cuts, they have been refusing some of the retired nurses I do believe. I don't agree... if you retire, you retire. But maybe I'm being a little greedy because I have loans to pay and 50+ yrs of work ahead of me. ;)

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