Importance of the LPNS?

Agnus · Jan 11, 2004

Originally posted by SarahCeleste
I will be graduating in May as an LPN (here in Texas, LVN, of course) and as we delve deeper into the hospital realm of clinicals, I've begun to question the involvement of the LVN in certain specialty areas. Is it common to have a large demand for LVNs in OR, ER or OB? Those three areas are my favorite and what I am looking to go into (after a stint in med/surg to gain experience). I just wanted to see if an LVN is considered just as important in those types of jobs as RNs or if LVNs are even greatly accepted in those areas. Thanks

I have known LVNs to work in all three of these areas. However, it is interesting that you picked these particular area because it has also been my observation that although there are a few LVNs who work in these areas they employ the fewest LVN of any place.

If an LPN is lucky enough to land one of these jobs in the few hospitals that allow it she will likely be the only LVN.

Generally speaking these are very difficult areas to get into for an LVN and many hospital do no use them at all in these areas.

Your scope of practice is different. So you role is limited by your scope in these areas. In OB for example you will not be an L&D nurse. You will look after stable post partum patients.

In OR you will not circulate but with training you might scrub. You will not be a recovery nurse.

In ER you will fill typical LVN role that you might fill on the floor. The RN will still be primary and will still be the nurse for critical and unstable patients.

tiredfeetED · Jan 11, 2004

I work in the ED and we have LVNs. They all are hard workers, never thought less of them. The LVNs at our facility take room (except for trauma rooms). The only bad part for our LVNs is that they make 2 dollars more than our techs ( havent figured out that one yet). :confused:

gwenith, BSN, RN · Jan 11, 2004

I work ICU Aust and we have one EN (LVN and Yes! you could travel over here to work!) Let me tell you though, about our EN. She mostly has to do with the restocking and cleaning - sounds boring? - Well not really, see this lass also is in charge af Quality assurance with equipment - she runs the evaluations and collates them for all new products, orders and maintains the stock for the unit she also does a darn sight more than cleaning as she is in charge of infection control for our unit. She does the audits for handwashing and ensures that all patients have twice weekly microbiol checks for urine and sputum. We bow to her knowledge on infection control which equals and outstrips many RN's knowledge. She does deliver direct patient care and assists at the bedside - valuable - well lets put it this way - she OURS and you ain't gettin' her!!!

Dinith88 · Jan 11, 2004

I think it's a hospital-policy thing...depends on where you work.

At my place of employment, LPN's work everywhere but ICU.

Recently, there's been an influx of LPN's into our ED. Our LPN's are offered ACLS, etc. They do mostly the same 'stuff' (other than a few drips) as the RN's....only get paid a few $$ less.

fab4fan · Jan 11, 2004

Depends where you live. In my area, few hospitals will put LPN's in the areas you listed. Most of the LPN's in those areas have been there for years; those who leave are replaced with

RN's (if they are even replaced).

BrandyBSN · Jan 11, 2004

Hospital policy gives what they will allow

I work in a small hospital (102 beds) in ER. We have no LPNs in ER, OR (Unless they are also certified scrub techs) , ICU, but we do have a couple in OB. They are not allowed to be labor and delivery nurses, but have take care of the patients post-partum, patients that are on the "women's care side" like post-op hysterectomy, etc. They also staff the nursery, but can't do the ICU Nursery.

Most seem happy with this. I think we have 3 LPNs in OB.

mattsmom81 · Jan 11, 2004

I'm in Fort Worth and my in my experience, the facility and the managers will determine how LVN's may work. I work with several LVN's who work critical care and ER as those managers look at more than whether one has LVN or RN after your name: they look at the nurse. Our OB dept has no LVN's as that manager wishes it so.

I will offer this: my critical care coworkers who are LVN's are working on their RN's as they are tired of not having the choices, flexibility and $$ RN's have. I was a LPN first and worked my way through RN school for the same reasons. It provided my family with income while I furthered my education, so it worked out well for me.

Best wishes to you!

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Jan 11, 2004

LPNs can only work in certain parts of our ER.

LPNs are only allowed to work in postpartum on the maternity floor.

On the Mental Health floor, only RNs with 4 year degrees can work there. Needless to say there's a lot of double shifts worked and over half the time they find out they're there for 16 hours right when they think they're going to get to go home.

CCU, RN only.

SICU RN only.

NICU RN only.

BRANDY LPN · Jan 11, 2004

At my hosp I work OB I do everything the RNs do except push IV versed there must be an RN at the delivery most of the LPNs and RNs work together and take turns swapping postpartum and labor but I really like labor better and so generally I labor the pts. I work PRN so theres noone to switch with on a routine basis.

I have also worked in L/D in Fort Hood TX and while the LPNs didnt labor we did receive the babies immediately after del and scrubbed for c/s and triaged/worked the exam rooms.

It all depends on your hospital policies what you can do as an LPN/LVN. IN arkansas the BON doesnt outline an LPNs scope of practice it is just up to hospital policy, Im not sure about the other states.

Good luck at whatever you decide to do!!

SmilingBluEyes · Jan 12, 2004

NO LPNs in most speciality areas where I work and most hospitals around me....

"speciality " meaning:

ER

OB

CCU/ICU

PEDS

OR

they ARE used heavily in MED-SURGE and LTC however.