Can a LPN delegate to RN?

PatMac10,RN, RN · Mar 19, 2014

According to the NC Nursing practice act, it is beyond the scope of practice for a LPN to assign nursing activities to a RN. However, the LPN act in non-clinical supervisory role.

https://www.ncbon.com/myfiles/downloads/position-statements-decision-trees/lpn-position-statement.pdf

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lorirn58 · Mar 20, 2014

How are you reading (labeling) that she is "bitter"? She is merely asking a question....

lorirn58 · Mar 20, 2014

Wow. Could you please quote the words or phrase in which you detect "bitterness"? I'm at a loss to discern any such intent

Great question, Roser13; I wondered myself how this mere question could be labeled as such...

smartnurse1982 · Mar 21, 2014

If the OP is concerned about scope of care, they need to conduct the BON, I would say there is only about 5% difference between what a RN and LPN can do. The LPN is the manager and they can delagate anything they want as long as it follows the policy of the facility they work in.
That said, I have worked with a lot of LPN/LVN who ran circles around many RNs

The lpn can follow the policy of the facility all they want,but its what the BON says that matters!

Also as someone above pointed out,just because an LPN has more experience doing nursing tasks does not mean they have increased scope of practice.

I guess a new grad Rn has an greater scope of practice than an an lpn with 40 yrs experience.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2014

The lpn can follow the policy of the facility all they want,but its what the BON says that matters!
Also as someone above pointed out,just because an LPN has more experience doing nursing tasks does not mean they have increased scope of practice.
I guess a new grad Rn has an greater scope of practice than an an lpn with 40 yrs experience.

Yes, because "scope" has a legal definition.

Nola009 · Mar 21, 2014

Technically, NO. If you work at a facility where the powers that be see it fine for a LPN delegate to RNs, then I would say your facility is out of wack and out of line. It's your job though, so walk that line until you find a more reasonable situation.

kalevra, BSN, RN · Mar 21, 2014

Lol if a BSN can hand down patient assignments to an MSN why not an LVN. This is assuming were talking about a managment type position. I mean my director has less than 5 years as an RN. But he is sitting pretty in a very powerful position, overseeing RNs and other staff with more experience.

When all else fails check to what the legal scope is for your state. And take into account what kind of "delegation" are we talking about. I know how some RNs flip out when an LVN tells them to hand them an NG tube from the back.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Mar 21, 2014

Lol if a BSN can hand down patient assignments to an MSN why not an LVN. This is assuming were talking about a managment type position. I mean my director has less than 5 years as an RN. But he is sitting pretty in a very powerful position, overseeing RNs and other staff with more experience.

It's not an experience issue but a licensing and legal scope of practice issue. Diploma, ASN, BSN & MSN are all RNs. LPNs cannot clinically delegate to RNs. They can request for RN assessment/intervention for what is out of an LPNs scope of practice. LPNs can administratively supervise RNs in most states such as scheduling, and other administrative duties.

kalevra, BSN, RN · Mar 22, 2014

LPNs can administratively supervise RNs in most states such as scheduling, and other administrative duties.

I agree, that is why you can have an LVN in charge of staffing/pt assignments/scheduling/payroll/HR etc.

I think the OP maybe annoyed at the idea of an LVN delegating things to an RN. Its the whole idea of delegation goes downwards. So in a sense maybe the OP thinks they are in a lower position than the LVN. just my thoughts on the matter.

LadysSolo · Mar 22, 2014

I worked as an NP in a practice where an LPN was placed in the position of COO, and she delegated to MDs as well as NPs and RNs.

PatMac10,RN, RN · Mar 22, 2014

COO isn't a clinical role, it's an administrative one. Anyone with any licensure, or lack there of, can delegate administrative/business-related tasks. For ex. A CNA who is a COO can tell the MD when to open the clinic or when to close it. Or they could say we can't do x procedure here bc we don't have xyz resources. A COO/CEO isn't going to direct the clinical practice of an MD or LPN or delegate clinical tasks to them.

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tamiwill1 · Mar 23, 2014

If that's the case, please explain to me how an LPN can be the ADON. Of course an LPN can delegate to an RN if his/her position requires it. Delegation requires that the task be within the scope of practice of the delagatee, not the delgator.