an assignment.

thank you. I just needed to be pointed in the right direction have spent 30 hrs. getting no where and have been very frustrated. thank you again.

volume

To make your paper easier just think of "profession" as a legal term meaning a group that self regulates and takes care of their own practice issues instead of depending on the employer for direction. For example an RN has very set practice standards because of the Board of Nursing, but a medical assistant just does what the doc requests/requires. What about LPN's, do they have a board and a discipline process?

great question I will find out for sure. I thought they did but I know that an LPN here works under the RNs license. That is what I was told by another RN; however, we are accountable if we make any med. errors.

thanks!

volume you have been given some excellent advice here. Remember ..you can type anything into google to get info, and if it's not bring up what you want, just change the wording.

But if you really get stumped, please feel free to pm me, and I will help in anyway I can.

Also, LVN's have work assigned to them by RN's and are restricted from practicing certain skills due to insufficient education. What they are allowed to do, many do in a "professional manner", but that does not make their job title a profession.

You might want to check your state's nurse practice act for the details of what constitutes RN practice. There should also be a board for the LVN/LPN group.

There's a lot of hearsay that goes on among nurses regarding what they are and are not responsible for, your nurse practice act will clarify that for you.

check the definitions with your Board of Nursing or whatever state agency licenses you. Or ask your national association - the National Federation of LPNs (http://www.NFLPN.org). Also check your state nurse practice act which sets the standards for your license.

The difference has to do with the legal definition of what constitutes a "professional" - one who's work is "predominantly intellectual and varied in character, as opposed to routine mental, manual, mechanical, technical, or physical work; requiring knowledge of an advanced type in a field of science or learning customarily acquired by a prolonged course of specialized intellectual instruction and study in an institution of higher learning; has the capacity to exercise autonomy, discretion, and judgment in performance....."

By their state nurse practice act, their scope of practice and license, LPNs do not have the autonomy and are "technically trained nurses, according to their state's Nurse Practice Act. They practice nursing under the supervision of an RN or other health care professional".

LPNs are not considered "professional" nurses by the licensing board in my state, but that same board does list "LPN" as a "profession".

Originally posted by purplemania

Also, LVN's have work assigned to them by RN's and are restricted from practicing certain skills due to insufficient education. What they are allowed to do, many do in a "professional manner", but that does not make their job title a profession.

First ..LP/VN do NOT always have their work assigned to them by an RN, and LPNs do NOT HAVE to even work under an RN!!! There are ARE many positions where LPNS don't even have an RN anywhere around them!

Second, RN are also "restricted d/t INSUFFICIENT education!

Third a Profession is the following:

an occupation requiring special education (especially in the liberal arts or sciences)

the body of people in a learned occupation

The LPN is an integral member of the health care team.

The LPN assumes personal responsibility for his/her professional development by seeking to improve and update knowledge and skills.

The LPN is accountable for the ethical, personal, and professional standards that guide his/her attitudes and actions.

The LPN's primary focus is towards excellence in his/her nursing practice.

The LPN is part of a multidisciplinary team.

Professional:. Of or pertaining to a profession, or calling; conforming

to the rules or standards of a profession; following a

profession; as, professional knowledge; professional

conduct.