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Where I am presently working I seen some practices that I do not think is beneficial. Have you ever have the experience where an LPN train an RN being their preceptor?
I beleive LPN are an asset to anunit, and they can be very prepared but their Scope of Practice differs a lot from the RN as well as being the RN the delegating part to an LPN. What is your opinion in this type of practice?
In a black and white, surface only no grey area way, no, an LPN should not precept an RN. There are differences in scopes of practice as well as legal responsibility.
However, I think we can all agree that if there's a coworker who is great at a skill, you should seek out that coworker to learn from them. Period. And there are great LPNs and RNs, and terrible LPNs and RNs. I'll say that many of the nurses in my hospital who are LPNs are just not as focused on critical thinking and assessment skills. Its a function of our state's very limited scope of practice for LPNs. So like another poster said, we may be talking apples and oranges because in my state the limitations are greater.
pagandeva2000, LPN
7,984 Posts
I agree, it depends on the setting. I feel that an LPN can teach basic, routine procedures for the most part and if she is advanced in skills, even more. Can't say that we can sign off on compentencies-only a seasoned RN should do that, but sure, we can and we do every day.
There is a PCA who is excellent in her role that has reminded me of several things-the most recent is how to prepare the exam rooms to be Joint Commission ready at all times. Wrote up a list for me and the entire sha-bang, then says to make sure she does it, too. If she leaves my team, I'm DEAD MEAT.