can LPN call the physician to report change in pt condition?

[miniangel729]

can LPN call and report change in patient condition to the physician if instructed by the RN?

[IlovenursingRN]

can LPN call and report change in patient condition to the physician if instructed by the RN?

Of course and she doesn't need permission. An LPN is a licensed nurse

[FLArn]

OF course -- Where I am each nurse can and does care for their patient without needing permission to call the MD's! My LPN partner has over 40 yrs. experience to my 16 -- I may have had more training but she has way more practical experience and you'd better believe I ask her opinion from time to time!

[SaraO'Hara]

Gee wally cupcakes, if we couldn't do that, patients would have died on me. Who do you think staffs my workplace?

[LPNHTNCM]

Of course! It makes no sense for me to tell the charge nurse who then tells the doc when I am sitting right there and could tell the doc myself. I have actually assesed and looked at the pt. not just giving second hand information.

[miss81, BSN, RN]

The hospital I work in the LPN's don't. They can't take orders or give meds either... they definitely don't work to their full scope here.

[LPNHTNCM]

DANG! I work in a hosp and an RN never even sets eyes on my pts. unless I ASK them to come in and give me a hand or get a second opinion. Which I do when I am unsure of something or my "nuresy" sense starts to tingle. I take orders, call Docs, initiate treatments ect ect. I DONT push IV meds or start Blood.

[Sparrowhawk]

She better.

[kemkem]

The hospital I work in the LPN's don't. They can't take orders or give meds either... they definitely don't work to their full scope here.

WOOOOWWWWW!!!!!! Don't take orders OR give meds???? :no: Jesus Christ where do YOU live?? I've never heard of such a thing! Are you sure they are LPN's and not CNA's/PCT's?? I find that VERY hard to believe or else why in the world would the hospital even bother to hire the LPN's in the first place!! They must get paid NOTHING over there with a fat helping of no respect to go along with it! Sorry for being so crude but I am just appalled!!!

I am an LPN (new grad) and we can do EVERYTHING except push IV narcotics and hang blood.

[miniangel729]

wow thanks for all the replies :)

I'm a student nurse, and our hospital doesn't have LPN, just CNA.. or I haven't met one at least. But its good to know. thanks again~!

[belgarion]

If I had to wait for one particular RN to call the doc the patient would be dead, buried, and grass covering the grave before the call got made. I swear if she were any more afraid of the doctors she would leave a puddle in the floor every time one walked by.

[Joey&Laurensmom]

I think that what you are allowed to do is regulated by your State Board of Nursing. In Pa, LPN's cannot do IV push meds, Chemo, hang blood, or do TPN central line. I know that in certain states they cannot even start IV's. The facility that you work in also can have a policy in place to not let you do as much as the state says your license allows. I have worked at facilities on both ends of the spectrum. But not calling MD's, wow, that is where the whole picture comes together. When you describe your assessment, and get a new order, you learn full circle.