CT LPN Scope

[Thornbird]

:confused:I am an LPN originally eduacted in CT. Having left the state for twenty years, I have been trying to figure out what is going on with scope of practice here. It seems to me that our BON is becoming more and more prejudiced against LPN's. The actual laws are incredibly vague and the way the Board interprets them gets more restrictive with time. I am so frustrated because everywhere I have worked, I'm an agency nurse, I see LPN's acting out of their scope and it seems to be expected. But, I don't want to put my license on the line by acting outside my scope.

The thing is, that I have to actually call the Board to find out what not to do. There are no clear guidelines in one place. The "Declaratory Ruling" isn't very helpful either. Neither is the decison making tree. My program focused a lot on assessments and care planning. What was the point when a few years later the BON decided those aren't within my scope? Reference is made to LPN's having "advanced training" but the BON doesn't endorse or recognize any advanced training certifications. I'm just so frustrated working here. How many of you are aware that an LPN can't even work in a doctor's office without an RN present? It's going on all over the place but it's not legal according to the BON. If that's so, why does the Nurse Practice Act say that the LPN can function under the direction of a physician or dentist when executing the medical regimen? I think any reasonable person would think that meant offices and clinics with or without an RN because the doctor is supervising. But not so says the Board. So we either practice illegally or let the Medical Assistants take those jobs, then claim to be nurses.

Sorry for ranting. It's just driving me nuts. More LPN programs are opening in this state and I don't understand why. People are paying $30,000 to become LPN's! When I went to school the program was FREE as a way of helping to alleviate the nursing shortage. Somebody in this state once thought LPN's were valuable. Everyone in my program went to work in a hospital upon graduation. I just don't get it.