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

JMP · Feb 18, 2002

Some of you should go back and read the first three or four postings. The original posting dealt with "are LPN's being left out". My response was YESS. I can only speak for MY AREA.

The hospital I work at DOES NOT employ LPN's. THe change happened about 8-9 years ago. The hospital let all the LPN's go. There is one place in the whole hospital that still employs them- long term care.

In another community close to me, the same thing is happening. The LPN's are leaving and are not being replaced. So as angry as it makes some of you, in my world it is reality. I stayed in home health and felt bored. I did not want to work in long term care. So, I became an RN.

Now I have choices, I feel rewarded by my decision. It was my choice. I had to deal with the situation IN MY WORLD.

That is all.

nur20 · Feb 18, 2002

Hi Russ, now that is a face i would love to have seen. As an earlier post stated, you are as professional as you feel or carry yourself.Brian and i discussed whether this thread should be closed and came to the conclusion that it should not, although i do wish it would stay closer to the original topic

Brownms46 · Feb 18, 2002

Congrats JMP for making the choice that was right for YOU! But "YOUR" reality doesn't make it EVERYONE'S reality!

MY response was NOT to those who felt the need to make transitions to better their options. It was not to those who expressed their opinion that.... "they" felt that ....yes LPNs were being left out of the nursing profession. It was to the etermal bickering that have just got old for me, between LPNs and RNs and vice versa.

I have and continue to work in many acute hospital settings, which aren't LTC or rehab. WHY? Because I don't fit well in those settings, even though I continue to admire those who do.

I and MANY like me haven't had to, or wish to take the path you and many other wonderful nurses have. I HAVE decided to pursue a degree ...but NOT as an RN. Why? I see no reason to return to school for a degree I M H O, that will allow me to continue to do what I already do, for only a few dollars more than I make now. How much do I make? $28-@30/hr. wkd/we. I feel that many RNs are overburden by the responsiblities they are given daily. "I" have NO desire to join their ranks, even though there are many wonderful RNs out there I admire, and that I'm glad they decided to continue their education to afford everyone their knowledge and expertise. Yes ..."I" would gain the freedom to have more options open to me...but at the moment...options aren't a problem for "ME" because "I" and many like me, have the freedom to go where the options are.

I'm praying I will be able to gain my degree before "MY" options run out...which "I" don't feel they will as I have been at this for 22yrs. Starting in NICU, continuing to ICU (which is still open to me in many areas), and a great variety of other acute care settings. But ...."IF" they do. I will then have make the right choices for "ME". Yes I have seen postions of LPNs deleted and seen them brought back to hospitals that thought they could do without them. In 22yrs I have seen MANY changes for RN AND LPNS ...some good ...but mosty bad. Nor does it mean LPNs are being pushed out nursing because they're no longer valuable assets in many areas. Change happens, and we must all do what is "BEST" for ourselves no matter what our title is.

So if "YOUR" reality has changed...and "YOU" did what "YOU" thought best for "YOU"...that is as you said .." is "YOUR WORLD", and I commend you for your hard work and decision to do what was necessary for "YOU".

But pease don't try to make it mine or anyone else's reality who aren't for the moment faced with living in "YOUR WORLD".

Also...I'm NOT angry about anything...just tired of and the continued re-hashing of a subject that has been beat to death and into infinity!

Thank you for your response and peace out!

GreytNurse · Feb 18, 2002

Russ Dowling.......please share with us all your titles.......certifications........after your name.

Thanks!! Greyt

How did you obtain them???

Russ Dowling · Feb 20, 2002

Ok, GreytNurse, you asked for it!

CCS=Certified Coding Specialist; This is a medical/procedural coding cert awarded by the American Health Information Mgt Assoc.

CPC=Certified Professional Coder; This is a medical/procedural/supply coding certification awarded by the American Academy of Professional Coders, primarily focusing on physician documentation and billing requirements.

CPC-H=Certified Professional Coder-Hospital; This is a medical/procedural/supply coding certification also awarded by the American Academy of Professional Coders, primarily focusing on hospital side billing and documentation requirements.

I graduated as an LPN in '92. I had been working in medical records up until that time, and so was familiar with ICD-9 codes. I went to school 8hrs a day, and worked in med recs 8hrs an evening! Talk about a rough year! By 11/98, as a result of a broken back in 79, I could no longer handle the lifting and turning of patients 8 or 12hrs every day. A compliance auditor position was available in my health care system, and getting one coding certification was a requirement , as was being a nurse. I applied, got hired, got my certification, and was on my way! Of course, I'm a greedy person, and used my tuition reimbursement to get another coding certification. In 03/01, I received a call from MCP-Hahnemann University asking me to interview for a compliance analyst position; I wasn't really looking to change positions, because I had worked for the other healthcare system for almost 16 years. But I went to the interview, and received a call the next morning offering me 13k more a year than I was making! I accepted, and here I am.

I still work as an LPN in a PRN pool. I will never get away from patient care for good; I like it too much!

There is a severe shortage of certified coders in healthcare, and there are many opportunities for LPNs in the field. Compliance is a really hot topic right now.

Now, aren't you sorry you asked? LOL

really

GreytNurse · Feb 20, 2002

:eek: Wow Russ........great for you!!! Congrats

No, I'm not sorry I asked. We learn by asking, right??? I'm in the process of 'adding a few extra initials' behind my name too. Trying to finish my RN, but honestly.......it's more 'crap' than I care to deal with. Won't make me a better nurse, as most of this is stuff I already learned in LPN school....or should I say.....educated in LPN school:D

I've been IV Cert. for a number of years. Adding Pharm. Cert as well as LTC. Do you know of any on-line courses or have the information of where we can obtain more????? Like the Coding?? Alot of places here (St.Louis area) are asking for that additional knowledge...would be great to have as much as I can get.

Will they ever 'phase out' the LPN????? Are they nutts???? They don't have enough RN's to cover all the necessary spots.....what would happen to LTC if there were none of us 'Angels in white scrubs'??????

Thanks for the information Russ......keep up the good work!! :cool:

KaraLea, LVN · May 22, 2002

At my last job, Med/Surg in a small rural hospital, I worked alongside RN's who were doing the exact same job that I was. The only difference was that they could work with central lines and could hang blood products. I could then monitor the blood and IV fluids going into the central lines, I just couldn't start the blood or hook the fluids into the central line. OH and the RN's were paid 1 1/2-2 times what I was. But all of those RN's treated me like an equal on the job. I once made a comment to one RN when asking her to give an IV med through a central line that I couldn't because "I'm just a LVN". She turned to me and said "Never say you are 'Just' anything. We are all NURSES, doing the same job...taking care of the patients".

Also, just a note for the CNA's out there. I was a CNA for 8yrs before getting my LVN and have never taken them for granted. I don't even want to think about what my job would be like without them. They are valuable members of the team and yes they are extremely underpaid.

norinradd · May 23, 2002

Hello board. First I have no grip about any nurses doing there best for patient care. We have all known LPNs and RNs that scared the heck out of us just knowing they were responsible for another human live. We have also known nurses who covered their insecurities by playing politics to their own good and not the patients. I do believe this thread as concluded that LPNs do "feel" slighted. This discussion I believe is not about RNs vs LPNs but about LPNs being aloud to contribute to the best of their abilities toward the care of their patients. Some of those barriers where placed by some RNs and allowed to stand because of most LPNs.

I do not mind the Nurse Practice Act making me dependent upon a doctor or even a nurse practioner. I do wonder how one can be dependent upon an RN who herself is dependent. An RN can not open a office on her own and give care. Nurse Practice Acts are out of date and have been infulenced by to many people not looking out for the patients first. Should not the doctors and the admin have the last word on what one can do. They after all are the ones responsible with us for our actions. The ANA and many other organizations have denied us full membership and have not adequately represented all nurses equally. Our oraganizations do little for us and I do not support those that do not try. One day there may be such an organization and then they will not only get my money but my efforts.

theboss · May 24, 2002

Hey Fellow LPN,S,

I to have not been here in many months and just dropped in to see what everyone was up to! Well, i to got sucked into the whole RN-LPN mess at one time on this BB and found that Suzy was okay after all, I have learned a great deal since. I have found that whether you are an RN or LPN it doesnt matter, just be the best nurse you can BE and leave the gripping, lazy, good fornothing, self pitting, whiney, HOSPITAL LIABILITY nurses to SIT or LAY in their own MISERY! Because where ever you work there will always be someone that just EEEERRRKKKSSS you to death and when given attention for it, they only get worse. Ignore them it really gets on their nerves.

Anyway Brownms46,

dont you work in washington state?

I am moving in 1 week to the Bellingham area and wanted to know how LPN,s are treated there? What are they allowed to do ? Can you or anyone else answer these questions for me?

Thanks Alicia

Brownms46 · May 24, 2002

Originally posted by theboss
Hey Fellow LPN,S,
I to have not been here in many months and just dropped in to see what everyone was up to! Well, i to got sucked into the whole RN-LPN mess at one time on this BB and found that Suzy was okay after all, I have learned a great deal since. I have found that whether you are an RN or LPN it doesnt matter, just be the best nurse you can BE and leave the gripping, lazy, good fornothing, self pitting, whiney, HOSPITAL LIABILITY nurses to SIT or LAY in their own MISERY! Because where ever you work there will always be someone that just EEEERRRKKKSSS you to death and when given attention for it, they only get worse. Ignore them it really gets on their nerves.
Anyway Brownms46,
dont you work in washington state?
I am moving in 1 week to the Bellingham area and wanted to know how LPN,s are treated there? What are they allowed to do ? Can you or anyone else answer these questions for me?
Thanks Alicia

Hi Alicia,

Long time no see post...:). Good to see your back... :cool: !

I agree with you on the ignore them part! And I was in Washington, but now...in Texas...Corpus Christi to be exact. I have SIX more weeks to go on this contract...and having a hard time making myself stay here! Anywho...as far as Washington is concerned...it really depends on the hospital you're working at. There are hospitals were you take your own pts, and there are hospitals where you're the PCA...Patient Care Assistant! Then there are those that want their cake and eat it too! You can do everything including IVP meds...and the RN does the assessments...ONLY!! Washington is a very difficult place to get a contract in if you're an LPN...and totally depends on how desperate they are. But as far as Bellingham is concerned....I know very little...except I do know they have been doing a lot of advertising for LPNs online with several companies. Are you going on Contract or just moving their on your own?? I spent 4yrs in Washington, and only enjoyed working at a very few hospitals there. If you ever have a chance to work at Group Health Hospital in Belleuve, Wa. TAKE IT! I ALWAYS enjoyed working there...as I was always treated well...and would go back anytime! PM me if you ever have a question about Seattle area, Central Washington, or Spokane hospitals. But Bellingham is somewhere I would have liked to have gone to, but not with the companies that had the contracts at the time. I have heard Bellingham is a very beautiful area.

maah · May 28, 2002

As for LPNs being left out. For two years myself and a fellow LPN ran a 42 bed last stage Alzheimer Unit. We did Charge, Meds, and Treatments most of the time all three jobs alone. Yet we were told that the facility was looking for a RN to run the floor. We had 3 RNs try to do it and failed. Last I knew they were still trying to get a RN that could handle the job. I was let go from my job a couple of years ago do to a disability. I feel that us LPNs can alot of times out do a RN. As one of my Instructed stated, years ago,"most RNs are book smart. LPNs are bed smart, or clinically smart" So we are definitely being left out. SOmeone asked me one time recently if a LPN was like a Nurse's Aide. We need to get there and show the public that we are NURSES also.

fairykisses · Sep 29, 2003

hi everyone! i am new to this site. i feel it is true lvn's get left out. i was working in l&d as an lvn. they treated me as a tech. the only real nursing thing i got to do was insert iv's and foleys.after a couple, it gets old. the unit used pagers to communicate. i seen the secratary paging another nurse and i saw my name in the computer. next to it, it said aid.It bad because they don't see you as a nurse, because for 12 hours you don't even have an assignment. you wait around the whole shift and do all the dirty work. clean up the mom and the room and stuff like that. well anyways that was my experience, but i have resigned from that position, and work somewhere now where they really use me as a nurse!!!