I am anxious!

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Hi Everyone,

I am an LPN in New York. I just finished my orientation last week. I work on a med-surge floor. I just got a called today from my Manager that the RN on the floor will be out tomorrow. She wants me to run the floor with a CNA. Now I can't sleep thinking how am I going to do this. My manager said that she will be availabe if I need her on the floor starting IV site, hanging blood, etc. What are some of the concerns I will be asking my Manager tomorrow? I am really scared cause I have never done anything like this before. Any suggestions as to what are possible issues I might face and what considerations I have to clarify with my manager tomorrow?

Thanks in advance

Cindy

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical.

Wow that is anxiety producing...There's so much wrong with what you are being asked to do I can't think of where to begin.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I also find it shocking that a person would leave a new LPN in charge of a med-surg unit in a hospital. Most hospitals in New York that I know of would not even dream of leaving an LPN in charge...they would have an RN, in fact, several RNs available for this responsibility. Are you working in the metropolitan area, may I ask? This really, really shocks me. I also live/work in New York City (Queens) and the only place I know that will allow LPNs to take charge are nursing homes.

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Specializes in Gerontology, nursing education.

I would be very concerned about the legality of this situation. Is that even within JCAHO guidelines? And how many patients are you expected to have? Just doesn't sound good to me. :down:

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
i would be very concerned about the legality of this situation. is that even within jcaho guidelines? and how many patients are you expected to have? just doesn't sound good to me. :down:

i agree with you. i don't know of any hospital in new york that would place an lpn in charge. the hospital i work for always has rns in charge of med-surg floors. i function as a team leader in the ob/gyn clinic at my hospital, but differences are that this is a clinic setting, the areas are divided into corridors and believe me...there are at least 4 rns available...i am just the nurse in that particular area that is responsible for the charts that are being pumped out of there and the assistants. any triaging situations have to be addressed by rns because we don't have assessment priviledges. and, am also curious as to how many patients will this nurse be responsible for and how critical are they?

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Specializes in Detox and Psyc nursing.

Correct me if I am wrong, but legally can LPNs even assess/reassess a patient? How are you supposed to get around that problem too? Please do not put your license in jeopardy.

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Is this a med/surge rehab or SNF? I cannot think of anywhere in an acute setting where this situation might occur. I think you should read your contract, contact your union and refuse the assignment.

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