Do LPNs really get a shorter orientation time?

[Bean0621]

I work at a hospital on a med surg floor as a new grad LPN. I was told during my interview that I would be on orientation for 12 weeks. 8 weeks has passed and my manager says I will be getting off orientation soon because LPNs only get 8 weeks of orientation? How exactly does this make sense when I have the same pt load and job duties as RNs? We do pretty much the same thing, the only difference I have learned is I cannot push meds like Ativan or hang potassium. Other than that, I can put in orders, hang abx, give pretty much all meds, have 6 patients, etc. I just feel like for this reason we should have the same orientation time?

[londonflo]

 

7 hours ago, Bean0621 said:

How exactly does this make sense when I have the same pt load and job duties as RNs? We do pretty much the same thing, the only difference I have learned is I cannot push meds like Ativan or hang potassium. Other than that, I can put in orders, hang abx, give pretty much all meds, have 6 patients, etc.

I think your nurse practice act will contradict this but it does sound like they are getting an LPN to do RN skills for an LPN's pay. If truly 

Quote

I can put in orders, hang abx, give pretty much all meds,

 I would make sure you have malpractice insurance. When something turns sour you may find it to be your advantage.

[Bean0621]

2 hours ago, londonflo said:

 

I think your nurse practice act will contradict this but it does sound like they are getting an LPN to do RN skills for an LPN's pay. If truly 

 I would make sure you have malpractice insurance. When something turns sour you may find it to be your advantage.

Thank you for this. I have made the decision to leave this hospital at the end of this month. We are doing all RN duties for $18 an hour while they get paid 35+ an hour. 

[Dani_Mila, BSN, RN]

That is cheap! Heck in LTC/SNF at my place they start them at 25! Have you looked for another hospital job?

[Dani_Mila, BSN, RN]

On 10/14/2021 at 11:44 PM, Dani_Mila said:

That is cheap! Heck in LTC/SNF at my place they start them at 25! Have you looked for another hospital job?

They up the pay rate now to $30. $18 is what CNAs make.

[Dafabb, LPN]

As an LVN of almost 45 yrs I can give you a different perspective.  !st off I know every State is Different.  I will be talking about Texas.  We basically had the run of everything.  I have worked in every aspect of a hospital except PACU which was into play much later in years which was fine by me. I worked ICU about 10 yrs, CCU, Tele, M/S, ortho, rehab you get the picture.  As long as we were taught and passed it was the hospitals choice where we could work.  Yes we get the same pts, make less money but then we do not have RN behind us.   Never doubt you knowledge and skills which is much more than any RN coming out of any school. In "76 I spent maybe 1 mo. in class and the rest of the year was in the hospital in every unit.  We do get a much better education with pt. care as an LVN.  Back then IV passing was 3 sticks with an RN watching and the rest is history.  They did 15 yrs later require us to take the same course as the RN in house.  It is also at the time we quit doing IAssess.(BON)  New Nurses of say 10-15 has nothing like we had.  So many things they will never get to do.  You chose to stay an LVN but the system continued to change the rules.  I went agency and pretty much made more than an RN in the hospital.  I ran into those rules even back then on and off and was glad I couldn't do it.  Gave me a rest. I could give you 50 LVNs and many more who could run rings around many RNs.  with knowledge, skills and theory.  I worked with wonderful student Drs for years and they love to teach.   I do still work but am working on going remote for Chronic Care manager/ Remote pt. monitoring and 25 other things I can now do.  They love older nurses for this stuff.  Every one knows you/we do the same stuff as an RN but now you do not if a newer Nurse.   Be good with yourself and not worry about what others think.  The most orientation I ever got was 2 weeks or less.