Do LPN/LVN's work with NICU or Maternity Wards?

Updated:   Published

Specializes in none, as of yet.

Hello friends,

I haven't seen this anywhere, so I thought I'd ask. I start a LPN/LVN program very soon and am very happy I finally have 'figured out what I want to be when I grow up:wink2:' (this after graduating with a degree in Paralegal Studies---ah well, it's never too late to know which road to truly feel comfortable on!)

That being said, I would like to one day work either in the hospital nursery or one day, the NICU. I do understand that there is going to be a long road ahead with training needed....my question is are those type jobs open only for RN's or are LPN's employed in that arena?

Thank you in advance for replying and letting me ask my question, even if goofy!:D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Geriatrics/Family Practice.

I don't know where you live, but in the state of Illinois, only RN's work anywhere in the hospitals, especially critical care areas. The only LPN's left in hospitals have either been there a long time or are going back for the RN after being a LPN for a long time at their present facility. LPN scope of practice is very limited in Il. If you want wide opportunity, go back and get your RN. Good luck in whatever you choose.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

You have to check out your local job market.

In my province, we work on the postpartum floor. Admit Mum and babe, first bath and all care until discharge. Lots of teaching.

Good luck in your research.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Women's Specialty, Post-Part, Scrub(cs).

I work at a family birth center in LA. I can do the mom/baby couplet for post-partum, scrub for c-sections, post-surgical patients (d&c, hyst, ect) We have a women's specialty unit here, as well. I go into the labor/delivery as the second nurse....I take baby right after it is born, vit K admin, eye oint., suctioning, weight, ect. Check out what is available in your area!!! It is a fun and rewarding, albeit busy, field to work in. Good Luck. I have not seen LPN's in the NICU...But, that is not to say really experienced ones are not there...I just don't know.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

We have LPNs in the maternity wards, not sure about labor and delivery, though. It really depends on the area you live in. Have not seen any in NICU.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ER, GI, PCU/Telemetry.

the hospital i used to work at in FL had two or three LPN's in L&D and alot on postpartum, i worked with a few in the ER and there was one in the CTICU also. here in NC, there are none in the hospitals in this area at all. i think it depends on which state you live in and the nurse practice act there...some states are much more welcoming to LPN's in acute care settings. i think if NICU is your desired destination, you should go on to become an RN after you graduate from LPN school. good luck!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in NICU.

My hospital has almost no LPNs at all. We have one in my NICU, but she does almost no pt care at all aside from assisting the PICC team with dressing changes. I believe she had worked at the hospital for a very long time, and when they made the switch to an all (or almost all) RN staff, she was kept on. Her official title is "ICU tech" and she does an incredible amount of work and support. She's the one who knows everything that's going on, where to get supplies they say are on backorder, etc.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.

I work on a postpartum unit (we call it Mother-Baby because we provide couplet care). There are several other LPNs on my unit and we work just as same as the RNs. The difference is that we do not take antepartum patients or patients on Magnesium Sulfate and there are some drugs like narcotics or Nubain that we cannot do IV push that we must have the RN do. In my metropolitan area we are I think the only hospital that has and abundance of LPNs in postpartum. We don't have LPNs in L&D or NICU. You have to check with your own local hospitals to find out, but most likely it is rare with hard to find openings especially for new grads.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

what about ICU's? Are newly graduated LPN's allowed to work there? btw, I'm a student LPN. thank you. :):):):nurse:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.

There are three hospitals where I live and non of them even have LVNs anymore, they all work in nursing homes

Up Vote Up Vote ×
what about ICU's? Are newly graduated LPN's allowed to work there? btw, I'm a student LPN. thank you. :):):):nurse:

Again the answer is check your local area. ICU is not a good place for any new nurse to start. PNs are employed in ICU in my province but only those with at least 18 months surgical experience.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in none, as of yet.

Thank you ALL!!!

I appreciate all of you for posting! Have a blessed day:yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion