Do you feel the LVN/Lpn Is being left out in the nursing profession?

theboss · Jun 28, 2001

Hey kj,

Whats up! I think LPN,s are definately left out of most everything. Hey we arent even recognized by the ANA, go figure. Something that is for nurses and yet they look past us. We do offer alot to nursing and although i am going back to school for my BSN i will continue to fight for LPN,s. I am not going back to school for recognition as an RN. Or to feel like i am somebody. But this you can count on ,i will get a voice out of the deal , something i feel LPN,s dont have enough of!! Thanks for letting me vent :) alicia

Q. · Jun 28, 2001

Alicia - if I'm not mistaken, isn't there a professional organization specifically for LPNs? One that RNs aren't a part of? Kind of a parallel to the ANA? Perhaps you could become a member, if you aren't already, and make some changes that way and become involved.

nurse110 · Jun 29, 2001

I AGREE, LPN'S ARE BEING FORGOTTEN. JUST TODAY WE HAD A NURSES MEETING AT OUR FACILITY AND WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE LPN'S CAN NO LONG CHANGE G-TUBES, SOMETHING I'VE BEEN DOING FOR 8 YRS. WE HAD TO WATCH A VIDEO, (LIKE WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO DO IT ALREADY) SO WE CAN INSTRUCT THE RN'S ON HOW TO DO IT. THAT BEATS ALL. BEFORE LONG WE WILL BE JUST LIKE THE AIDES. CAN'T SOMETHING BE DONE. :mad:

auntmimi57 · Jun 29, 2001

ooooooooooooooooooo

BrandyBSN · Jun 29, 2001

In the hospital I take clinicals, Only RNs can take phone orders. I just assumed this was a weird hospital policy.

Why cant LPNs take phone orders? Its a matter of listening and transcribing right? I am sure LPNs should be qualified to do that.

Also, i do not understand why LPNs in Missouri can not start IVs. My friend who is an LPN told me that LPNs learn how to start them in school, just like we do. It confuses me?

thriftymom30 · Jul 2, 2001

It is called "job security".

lpnandloveit1 · Jul 2, 2001

regarding the post that sugested that lpns have a parallel to the ana that does not admit RNs the NFLPN does indeed admit RN's although not as active members. But put this into perspective there are a great number of organizations that admit only RN's and only one that Admits lpn's I don't belong to the NFLPN because it has not shown me that it has any kind of clout at all. It would be like throwing my hard earned money away.

theboss · Jul 2, 2001

Hello susy,

How are you ?,

I am aware of the NFLPN, i am not a member because , i feel all nurses should be joined together, LPN, RN, with no discrimination . I feel nothing will change until then. Not only does the ANA discriminate against LPN,s it does also against ASS. degree RN,s now tell me if that makes any sence. I am active when it comes to fighting the cause of all nurses standing together, as one. :) :) thanks alicia

jamistlc · Jul 3, 2001

Originally posted by Susy K
Alicia - if I'm not mistaken, isn't there a professional organization specifically for LPNs? One that RNs aren't a part of? Kind of a parallel to the ANA? Perhaps you could become a member, if you aren't already, and make some changes that way and become involved.

Yes we have a national organization with state chapters just like the ANA has! Susy this is true and yes we should use whatever we have at our disposal to help us (LPN's) gain recognition, both locally and nationally! But we also need to be represented as a collective group that has clout for negotiating contracts and wages, hours, and case loads! These are two seperate issues one is legislative and the other is collective bargining power. We as a group known as "Nurse" need to focus on that part of unity.

Today, these issues are more important than the legislative recognition, for the moment we have that! Look to the Firemans union for some guidance, they have EMT-Basic, EMT-Advance, and Para-Medics, they are all full members with a collective ability to bargin.! Unity is the answer!

Now, to the subject at hand we are left out of many areas of patient care and certification just becuase we are not a RN. Although we had this topic here before and I am not debating whether our skills is better than a RN or if we have critical thinking skills, (WE DO!) We work in different worlds to an extent doing the samee job. You want to talk about patient loads try 50 clients, for 12 hours, with 2 aids. This is our norm in a Nursing Home or Long Term Care Center! We are the primary nurse and or are the house supervisor, too!

Am I getting through to you and others we (ALL NURSES) do, do the same job and preform at the same skill level, yet we are not the same just because we do not have RN after our name! :rolleyes:

jamistlc · Jul 3, 2001

Greetings,

Institution policy is the word you described and what many are talking about concerning T.O. , V.O., and changing G-Tubes. Now as far the one about why some LPN's can start a an IV or Hang/Push meds and some can not that is dictated by the Nursing Boards Nurse Practice Act and Insitution Policy, but first the Nurse Practice Act has to allow an LPN to do that function including a T.O. or V.O.

I know of one state where an LPN can take a PAP Smear it is in the Act! In my state only an advance practice RN can do that or a P.A. Or a Physician Now as far as the paperwork, that is a subject we all nurses know to much about and wish we did not! I would like to say that in LTC's LPN's here take V.O. and T.O., in a hospital position I had we did not again an example of the Practice Act conflicting with insitution policy! :rolleyes:

We can do it under the practice, but are restricted by the policy! I recall once working in a Physicians office under protocols where I actually prescribed and wrote scripts without a physician signature. Now that is possible I was told because it was policy and protocols, but the board would think differently I think. I know I felt very uncomfortable, so I got out ASAP! I was also told I was working collaboratively and under the Physicians Licensure, who do you think would take a fall if there was a drug reaction or something adverse? :eek:

I would suggest for all nurses "KNOW YOUR NURSE PRACTICE ACT"!

auntmimi57 · Jul 3, 2001

oooooooooooooooooo