asking

flashpoint · Jul 15, 2006

It depends on the state...check with your board of nursing.

nighteyes719 · Jul 15, 2006

Ive looked at some of the states boards on line, and can't seem to find the information I looking for. I am looking into going into travel nursing and I want to try to go to some of the places where I can really use my skills. Any ideas out there?

Critical LPN · Jul 15, 2006

Iam a nure in a small hospital in newyork, where our skills are limited. I was wondering if any one knows what skills you and do in different states. Like IV push medications are there states where you can give these as an LPN? Or just as an RN. Thank you

Nighteyes 719, I find that it is not so much the state as it is individual hospitals, LTAC, LTCs, ECFs, etc. policies and interpretation of the Nurse Practice Act. Indiana act states that LPNs are able to do a broad number of things if "Under the guise/direction of an RN. However, many institutions, Dr. offices etc., feel that most RNs will not or do not want to be responsible for actions done by an LPN. There be the rub. :madface: I have worked Critical Care for 24 out of 27 years of being an LPN. I ended up running the education dept. of my unit because no RNs would step up and deal with keeping employee records of attendance, creating needs assessment of employees, and getting together the speakers,equipment and formatting times and schedules. Also I took over the entire CPR/ACLS program with all the same ordeals of collecting, distributing data, keeping records to comply with BOH/JACHO needs, became an Instructor of both BLS/ACLS, became Instructor Trainer of BLS, had to order supplies and learn to repair manequins and keep fiscal year budget reports. This was now 13 years ago and most institutions I have found, would rather send it off for the staff to have to find their own way to keep current on their required certifications. Also you will find that many places evaluate your knowledge base and depending on the staff you work with, will allow you to do many things that as LPNs, we are perfectly able to do under the directorship of an RN. Unfortunately, whether the institution has a policy/procedure protecting you to do so is the problem. :eek: You see, when they write up the policies, if it not specific (ie: done by licensed personnel verses done by an RN) then you are licensed thus, you should be protected. Unfortunately, many places still feel that we cannot do these skills. Most attorneys will tell you that you need to make sure of the institution you work at has any other qualifiers.(for example: need to be IV certified or show proof of TB class certification before doing TB testing on your patients.) I find this somewhat insulting as many places also do medicine testing on hiring only for LPNs, based on the fact that in the older times some schools did not teach pharmacology. Many nurses would work for years and hire on at a new job to take a medicine test that most of the RNs would fail if they had to take it. The tests are not current with todays standards of care as many things are pre-packed and individual or are measured in easier terms to do. While math is important, this is where I feel that testing needs to be for both. When was the last time you gave anything in "drams"? I believe all nurses should be accountable to know the daily functional and medical implications of their units. This better achieved by department specific yearly compencies being done. Less of a nursing shortage would be noted if staff were allowed to do (under the direction of higher rankning member) what they know how and proficiently do. Instead , many instituions cause more of the RN/LPN wedge by not being specific in their policies and also allowing for growth by encouraging learning and clinical ladder type systems for both the RN and LPN. Skills are skills. I believe Putting in lines of any type, IVs, feeding tubes, etc. while all can have their potential dangers and complications, can be taught along with check off on skill routinely and knowledge of complications/interventions to both RN and LPN. Just think, if the LPN was considered more responsible for her own actions, perhaps the RNs would appreciate not having to feel like a babysitter and more like a mentor/instructor which seems to me, to fit right in to their job description as an RN "Charge Nurse","Nurse Educator" and the "Clinical Nurse Specialist". Instead, the workplace has made them feel like our babysitter and that once you are an LPN, you have no brain to think past that diploma.

catlady, BSN, RN · Jul 15, 2006

Just think, if the LPN was considered more responsible for her own actions, perhaps the RNs would appreciate not having to feel like a babysitter and more like a mentor/instructor which seems to me, to fit right in to their job description as an RN "Charge Nurse","Nurse Educator" and the "Clinical Nurse Specialist". Instead, the workplace has made them feel like our babysitter and that once you are an LPN, you have no brain to think past that diploma.

Here, let me help you with that chip. Must be hard carrying it on your shoulder all the time.

To the OP, I'd suggest you contact some travel nurse companies, and they can give you an idea of what type of travel assignments are available to LPNs.

Critical LPN · Jul 16, 2006

Here, let me help you with that chip. Must be hard carrying it on your shoulder all the time.
To the OP, I'd suggest you contact some travel nurse companies, and they can give you an idea of what type of travel assignments are available to LPNs.

Not so much a chip as looking at the recent news storys today, and the need for all nurses to be more united. Understand that the wages of our beloved profession are not going anywhere but down with the talk of dissmissing us from the NLRB protection as we can be considered supervisors. Please refer back to other entries in the "General Nursing" section. It will become inportant to know just 'exactily' what can an LPN do as they as well as, RNs will possibly not be able to qualify for any protection as well as ability to have unions (I am not in one and really do not always agree to) to help gaurantee their working evioroments and pay structures. Scarry to think "supervisors" are a title that we are possibly labled with just because we tell a CNA or even anyone in the field what we need from them to do. Important to know what is allowed of your position and what your allowed to do when you head out into the world, whether it be "Travelling "or in a particular institution. Remember that a "supervisor" type status puts us all in the category of being possibly being paid that way. Not necessarily better, but a flat pay for a postion, no matter how many hours you work ie; that code or last minute of the shift, patient that went bad that you stayed over to care for.

Just look before you leap, must know what is expected of you, especially in this unreal legal age we seem to be going in. Or what is espected of you for the pay you are receiving. Can't live in a bubble or with your head in the clouds. :bugeyes: