ICU for a new graduate LPN?

[RN_Pink]

I am a recent graduate as an LPN though I am not new to the healthcare field. I have been a EMT-I since 2003 and have worked doing that part time. Full time I worked in a clinic with 5 physicians as a Medical Asst with a physician as his nurse. I drew labs, EKG's, breathing treatments, assisted with different surgical procedures like mole removals, toenail removals, etc. So I just graduated LPN and took my boards last week and passed. I have been under our hospital in our small town for 8 years doing EMS and working at the clinic. I want to stay with that hospital if possible due to retirement I already have and just time invested. So I applied for a position in the ICU (it was listed for an RN but the director does have 1 other LPN working). The director was interested in starting me out on night shift 7p - 7a which is fine with me. I just want to work. I had a "peer interview" this week with some of the crew I would be working with and that seemed to go well.

I just wanted to ask from others who are more experienced LPN's do you think I will be alright in ICU? I am eager to learn and love critical care! Our hospital is not a trauma center either if that helps. Most really bad cases get sent to other hospitals in the neighboring counties.

Also I am working on core toward my RN and hopefully will be in that program sometime next year.

Any suggestions!

[egglady, LPN]

I have 15 years experience and would not consider working in ICU. It surprises me that a hospital would hire a LPN for Icu, and a new grad at that! My personal opinion is that if one of my loved ones were in ICU I would want the most educated nurse I could get. I wish you luck in your new job, and I do hope it goes well for you!

[agldragonRN]

wow good for you! i'm sure the director sees the potential in you. make him/her proud and be the best nurse you can be. just make sure you stay in your lpn scope of practice.

congrats on passing the nclex and getting the first nursing job!

[HazelLPN, LPN]

I worked in critical care for over 50 years before retiring two years ago. I didn't start out in the ICU as a new grad because we didn't have ICUs back in the 1950s. Instead, very sick patients were placed close to the nurses station if you can imagine that. After several years on med/surg, I transferred to the ICU shortly after it opened in the early 60s.

I worked in a state and hospital where I had a broad scope of practice. I did my own IV pushes, I titrated my own drips, had patients on vents, HFO, ECMO (I didn't run the pump however), CRRT, IABPs, Swans, etc. I had to check blood with an RN or several IV meds with an RN before I gave them. I didn't take admissions, couldn't be in charge, or push propofol or other anesthetics. I did my own shift assessment but the initial admission assessment was out of my scope.

LPNs can and do work in the ICU very well if the state and hospital allow the LPN a broad scope of practice. In states where the scope is limited, it does not work as well. Make sure that you know what both the state allows you to do and the facility policies. If you work outside that scope, you could jeopardize your license.

For the above poster who wouldn't want her loved one cared for by an LPN and wishes to have a nurse with the highest level of formal education I can only say this: The best teacher is experience. I nearly completed my BSN about twenty years ago. All I had to do was my professional semester and take my boards. Long story short, life got in the way and I had to drop out (my husband got sick). I did learn a few things in my BSN program, but it was insignificant to my years of experience as an LPN in the ICU. Formal education is important, but what is more important is natural talent/intelligence and experience. I would let a good veteran LPN care for my loved one anytime in the ICU. Education is NOT simply a degree. Education continues throughout one's life.

Check out the critical care nursing boards. New grads in the ICU and LPNs in the ICU have been discussed there many times. As for a new grad LPN in the ICU, I think it would be fine as long as that LPN is intelligence, has a broad scope of practice, and is willing to learn on their own and ask lots of questions. It is important that you eventually get you RN however, because you never know when you might like to do something else (go to CRNA school for example) and a BSN will give you the most options.

Best to you,

Mrs H.