Have anyone else heard of "basic care NURSES"?

Fiona59 · Oct 11, 2004

I worked with some of the people who took the Nightingale NA course in Edmonton.

As Nursing Assistants they work in LTC's, day programmes and home assistance situations.

They toilet, wash, dress, and assist with ADL. They could remind a client to take meds but were not allowed to administer. They could not do dressing changes.

The hourly wage (unionized) was $10-12/hour. Considered decent in Edmonton. An new LPN grad makes $15.50.

Most of the NA's were good. Reported to the LPN anything they saw amiss. But as in any situation there were a few who wanted to do meds and they were the worst decriers of LPNs around.

In Alberta, most LTC units are staffed by LPN's who adminster the meds, do the wound care and treatments. The RN is usually split between the unit, has little or no patient contact, and is called upon when a patient crashes. The RN role is becoming more and more administrative.

Fiona59 · Oct 11, 2004

I worked with some of the people who took the Nightingale NA course in Edmonton.

As Nursing Assistants they work in LTC's, day programmes and home assistance situations.

They toilet, wash, dress, and assist with ADL. They could remind a client to take meds but were not allowed to administer. They could not do dressing changes.

The hourly wage (unionized) was $10-12/hour. Considered decent in Edmonton. An new LPN grad makes $15.50.

Most of the NA's were good. Reported to the LPN anything they saw amiss. But as in any situation there were a few who wanted to do meds and they were the worst decriers of LPNs around.

In Alberta, most LTC units are staffed by LPN's who adminster the meds, do the wound care and treatments. The RN is usually split between the unit, has little or no patient contact, and is called upon when a patient crashes. The RN role is becoming more and more administrative.

LydiaGreen · Oct 11, 2004

I worked with some of the people who took the Nightingale NA course in Edmonton.
As Nursing Assistants they work in LTC's, day programmes and home assistance situations.
They toilet, wash, dress, and assist with ADL. They could remind a client to take meds but were not allowed to administer. They could not do dressing changes.
The hourly wage (unionized) was $10-12/hour. Considered decent in Edmonton. An new LPN grad makes $15.50.
Most of the NA's were good. Reported to the LPN anything they saw amiss. But as in any situation there were a few who wanted to do meds and they were the worst decriers of LPNs around.
In Alberta, most LTC units are staffed by LPN's who adminster the meds, do the wound care and treatments. The RN is usually split between the unit, has little or no patient contact, and is called upon when a patient crashes. The RN role is becoming more and more administrative.

But - are they using the title of "Basic Care Nurse". That is the concern. In the advertisement in Georgia, the "school" is implying that at their school in Alberta, they have graduated "Basic Care Nurses" who are working in hospitals as "Basic Care Nurses" and that the school has secured the title of "Basic Care Nurse". The problem with all of this advertising is

A) they are attempting to attract students (and therefore $$$$) by implying that you can become a "nurse" through their school - the average lay person has no idea what the difference is between an RPN, RN, and nurse practitioner - it is doubtful that they will question the title "Basic Care Nurse" and may fork over all of those dollars to NOT become a nurse

B) again, the average lay person does not know the difference in types of nurses, regulation of nurses etc... seeing advertisements like that, the average person may have the wrong impression of the nursing profession - ie. "They only have to go to school for 6 months! How much could they learn in only six months? And they're making a fortune!"

LydiaGreen · Oct 11, 2004

I worked with some of the people who took the Nightingale NA course in Edmonton.
As Nursing Assistants they work in LTC's, day programmes and home assistance situations.
They toilet, wash, dress, and assist with ADL. They could remind a client to take meds but were not allowed to administer. They could not do dressing changes.
The hourly wage (unionized) was $10-12/hour. Considered decent in Edmonton. An new LPN grad makes $15.50.
Most of the NA's were good. Reported to the LPN anything they saw amiss. But as in any situation there were a few who wanted to do meds and they were the worst decriers of LPNs around.
In Alberta, most LTC units are staffed by LPN's who adminster the meds, do the wound care and treatments. The RN is usually split between the unit, has little or no patient contact, and is called upon when a patient crashes. The RN role is becoming more and more administrative.

But - are they using the title of "Basic Care Nurse". That is the concern. In the advertisement in Georgia, the "school" is implying that at their school in Alberta, they have graduated "Basic Care Nurses" who are working in hospitals as "Basic Care Nurses" and that the school has secured the title of "Basic Care Nurse". The problem with all of this advertising is

A) they are attempting to attract students (and therefore $$$$) by implying that you can become a "nurse" through their school - the average lay person has no idea what the difference is between an RPN, RN, and nurse practitioner - it is doubtful that they will question the title "Basic Care Nurse" and may fork over all of those dollars to NOT become a nurse

B) again, the average lay person does not know the difference in types of nurses, regulation of nurses etc... seeing advertisements like that, the average person may have the wrong impression of the nursing profession - ie. "They only have to go to school for 6 months! How much could they learn in only six months? And they're making a fortune!"

allnurses Guide · Oct 13, 2004

This is totally unreasonable! For an LPN with the tallent better than most RN's to feel this! I honor my LPN's..they are considered my mentors!
Ah, she wasn't referring to the LPN diploma, which is indeed something to be proud of. She's talking about the paper these "basic care" wannabes are getting after 6 months of dubious training. :uhoh21:

Jo Dirt · Oct 13, 2004

This is totally unreasonable! For an LPN with the tallent better than most RN's to feel this! I honor my LPN's..they are considered my mentors!

*My* LPN's???:stone

julie978 · Oct 13, 2004

What would poor Florence think about all this? >shudder

Note to self: Florida RN to email her kin state BON. asap.

Shotzie · Oct 13, 2004

LPN,

I, too, own a couple of those helpful little LVN things. I find them very useful when I stroll down the hall and have to have some help with nursing care. I think everyone ought to keep a couple tucked away in your purse or pocket in case of emergency. :devil: :rotfl:

jannecdote · Oct 13, 2004

Interesting thread. When and if the BON addresses the situation I hope someone posts an update here. I would really like to know the outcome of the whole thing.

CHATSDALE · Oct 13, 2004

don't know about other states but in Louisiana there is a minimum #of hours that is required before you can take test for licensure....basic care looks like a nice way for that guy to get $6,600 in his hot little hand...i pity those students who think they are seeing a way out of poverty and a chance to support themselves..when they have paid that money...or worse borrowed it they will be worse off than they are now

MNRN2B05 · Oct 20, 2004

To me, this sounds like a glorified nursing assistant. If they are trained to be the eyes and ears of RN's then they can't be called "nurses" can they?:angryfire

tiliimnrn · Oct 20, 2004

Again I say, the reason all of these people are coming up with all of this junk,the 6mo. unnurse, as I like to call it, is because they say there is a shortage out there. THERE IS NO SHORTAGE. It's the hospitals finding cheaper ways to get their literal blood money. If they treated staff nurses the way they should, there would be more then enough nurses coming out of the woodwork to go back into staff nursing. BUT, and this is a big BUT,they don't treat us the way they should, and now they're trying to make a cheaper us. Don't that beat all.

Well, how long are we going to take this before we all unite and do something about this?????????????