Do Most LPN's do NA Work Too?

[jjnmrsmom]

On the unit I work we have RN's, LPN's and NA's. The RN's only perform nursing duties but the LPN's fill either nursing or NA roles depending on the need. I think this is a terrible practice and is causing a lot of anomosity on our unit. I can't imagine going into work not knowing if I would be working as a nurse or an aid that day! Does any other facility work this way?

[kat7ap]

I've only had to work as a tech a couple times at my job in mother-baby. Other than that employers don't want to pay an LVN fill a CNA position. It's just not cost effective. However, I regularly perform "CNA work" such as incontinence care, taking pts the toilet, and assist with ADLs as part of my LVN job.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

It sounds as if your place actually has nurses do nursing stuff instead of aides and tries to staff that way.

I have been an LPN and chafed under the more restricted scope.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

Where I work on the floors, I have seen were LPNs were primarily pill pushers and did pitch in to do NA work after they completed giving meds. When I worked per diem on the floors, I did not have to assist as often as I thought on med-surg, but it was required for the Step Down units and ICU...but then, the RNs were assisting as well because at times, they would split the one aide they had between two units...2 hours ICU, then 2 hours Step Down and back again. If the aide left, it was US, so, we did it with no major issues.

In fact, in most cases, when I worked in ICU/Step Down, the RNs did more bedside care than I did because they would tell me when I got there "Just give the meds". There were so few meds to give that as soon as I finished, I jumped right in and helped.

The way I see it is that the LPN role is basic fundamental nursing-supposedly with no frills (which is fine by me). Most times, the LPN just charted her meds and treatments, but any serious intervention was done by the RN.

I can understand your feeling, however, but try and see it a different way. You are a nurse...you earned your license. And, part of earning that license in the first semester was to learn ADLs. As long as your paycheck is not decreased, do what you have to do.

[CynicallyVexed]

it's acceptable practice at a few local hospitals near me. Which is why I do not work for them.

I've been a CNA for four years and a new nurse for a few weeks. I want to be able to use my new skills and not be talked down by some RN's making me be a CNA when I really need to gain more knowledge as a nurse... not as a CNA. The tension is real and now I completely understand and see why these two local hospital organizations are always searching for LPN's (They only start the LPN's out at 11-12 an hour, that's exactly 1 dollar more an hour I was making as a CNA in a level 1 trauma critical care unit). To me it's not worth it. I'm putting my licenses at state to play two different roles and not get any pay compensation for it.

My new job is at $17 an hour at a nursing home walking distance from one of the hospitals I interviewed at. I may have 22 patients to pass meds on, but at least I'm not responsible of passing meds with being their nurse and their nursing assistant.

Goodluck. I'm sorry your facility works like that, but I'm very doubtful that tension is going to get any better.