RN delegation of tasks

[Epona]

Hi all nurses! This question has come up alot and I usually get it wrong. I was reviewing some info. about it in my NCLEX review book, but it's still a bit hairy for me.

Here's my question: what can RN's delegate to lower level nurses and assistive personnel? I know the RN does the patient teaching and so forth, but I read the LPN can help the patient to the bathroom, help them ambulate and so on. Can the LPN give meds?? Can they take a new admission? Basically, what does the RN do and what duties can she assign to her LPN?

Thanks all very much!!!

[RN1982]

LPNs can give meds. In some states depending on their nurse practice act, they can give I.V. push meds and transfuse blood. I've seen LPNs take their own assignment.

[sahm02]

I am a LPN in SC finishing up my RN. I work at a hospital and I am able to give meds, except IV meds, I have a pt assignment usually 4-6, discharge, orders etc. Once I take an IV therapy class I then can place IV etc but right now I can just saline flush them and disc them. I can change fluids but not blood products, but I can monitor the pt receiving blood, and then basic pt needs etc. RN's usually do admissions as they need to do the initial pt assessment for the floor

[mesa1979, BSN, RN]

What school did you go to? LPN's can be ADON's, charge nurses, give meds, etc.......

[RheatherN, ASN, RN, EMT-P]

our policy- LPN cannot do IV stuff, and i believe in general for NCLEX, they cannot do IV stuff. they can montior a running IV and document, as long as its reg ivf. shots yes; taking orders no, assessments is tricky. they can do them, but it is conisdered "help" for RN, we still have to do an assessment. did you do skills classes each semseter? if you did, you can relate that to what they can do compared to RN. even if you didnt, think that they have 1 yr required, and most stuff isnt until 3rd for ADN program.

if you need help with specifics, shoot me a PM and we can maybe do a live chat about it, go over what we did in my school for my seperate skills classes.

that is a toughy! we had 4 hours just for that in one of my classes, and i was still muddy! lol

-H-RN

you know what you can do too..just thought of it,, do a allnurses.com search, i am sure someone has posted. that search thing is awesome!!! gl on boards too!

[S.N. Visit, BSN, RN]

LPNs also monitor their patients and report adverse reactions to medications or treatments. LPNs gather information from patients, including their health history. They may use this information to complete insurance forms, pre-authorizations, and referrals, and they share information with registered nurses and doctors to help determine the best course of care for a patient. They also prepare and give injections and enemas, monitor catheters, insert NG tubes, dress wounds as well as basic nursing care.

A RN generally could not delegate an LPN to hang blood products, push IV meds, Initial assessments & Admits .

An RN would assign the LPN the most stable patients.

[Epona]

Thanks everyone! That was EXTREMELY helpful.

I thank you again!

[iwanna]

Also, it varies from state to state. In PA, an LPN is now allowed to take and note orders.

[registerednutrn, BSN, RN]

Here is the way I learned it. In Texas you don't delegate to an LVN you assign to them and you delegate to cna or nurse tech. If it requires a decision making then you do not delegate it. Example ask a tech to take vitals and report any that are bad but you have not given parameters would require the tech to use their own judgment and thus is not proper delegation. If you have give parameters such as to immediately report any heart rate greater than 100 for example then you have delegated properly. also you have to know the ablilty of they people working with you so you can't tell some to go take a b/p unless you know for sure they have been properly trained. If you are not sure ask to demonstrate proper technique.

Hope this help and is as clear as mud

[charles zhou]

very useful info. THanks.