Increasing LPN Role

erezebet · Jul 31, 2000

Where I work, LPNs act as care partners and even though they make about 12 dollars an hour, they do the same work as a nurse aid. As an RN, I enjoy working with LPNs because I can delegate tasks to them when I am busy. It would be nice if they could work more independently.

monica f · Jul 31, 2000

In the facility that I work in LPN's do almost everything that RN's do. They are responsible for everything except PICC lines, CVL's, and hanging blood. In other states LPN's are allowed to do everything including PICC care and hanging blood. A lot of this difference has to do with the hospital policy and the state board of nursing.

dianee · Jul 31, 2000

Every state board of nursing should have clearly delineated tasks that LPN's can or cannot do. Some LPN's can do more with additional training. Your state's nurse practive act should reflect what each nurse's scope is. Di-

KSEFLINK · Aug 2, 2000

LPN's at our hospital can do many tasks. With additional training and education they can push some drugs IV, they hang and monitor blood, do phlebotomy and basically are the second pair of eyes for the RN. We have LPN's and aids working together with a team RN leader overseeing care. What your institution does is dependent on your state license acts as well as risk taking for your hospital. It can work, given that everyone is willing to work together. The RN's feel threatened to some extent, yet given todays nursing markets, a well trained LPN is heaven sent. I wish you well. Our hospital has used LPN's in expanded roles now for about 5-6 years and their experience in invaluable to us!

ERIKAFOX · Aug 16, 2000

I'AM AN NEW GRAD FROM NURSING SCHOOL FOR LPN'S AND WE LEARN ALL THE THINGS THE RN DO BUT WE DON'T DO IV'S YET BUT WITH THE GREAT NEED FOR NURSES WE WILL SOON DO THAT TO AND YES THE RN IS OVER US BUT A NURSE IS A NURSE!!! AND IN OHIO AN RN JUST GET PAYED $2 MORE THAN AN LPN. SO PLEASE STOP TREATING US LIKE WE ARE AIDS BECAUSE WE ARE NOT WE ARE NURSES JUST LIKE YOU.

KBCRNBSN · Aug 17, 2000

I appreciate your response. You obviously have strong feelings regarding your role. I get the impression that your experiences in the past have not all been positive, which is disheartening. At our facility we greatly respect the role of a LPN. We recognize the fact that LPNs are an integral asset to the healthcare team, that is why we are interested in expanding their role. However, I must state that aids (certified nursing assistants at our facility) are also an integral asset to the healthcare team. The RN, LPN, nursing assistant,etc all have vital roles. However, as healthcare changes, our roles change, and we all must rise up to the occasion, while recognizing that we are confined to the practices that our professional licensure/certification allows. Thanks again for the feedback.

Originally posted by ERIKAFOX:
I'AM AN NEW GRAD FROM NURSING SCHOOL FOR LPN'S AND WE LEARN ALL THE THINGS THE RN DO BUT WE DON'T DO IV'S YET BUT WITH THE GREAT NEED FOR NURSES WE WILL SOON DO THAT TO AND YES THE RN IS OVER US BUT A NURSE IS A NURSE!!! AND IN OHIO AN RN JUST GET PAYED $2 MORE THAN AN LPN. SO PLEASE STOP TREATING US LIKE WE ARE AIDS BECAUSE WE ARE NOT WE ARE NURSES JUST LIKE YOU.

ktwlpn, LPN · Aug 18, 2000

Originally posted by KBCRNBSN:
Another project that I am working on includes expanding the role of LPNs at our facility. I would appreciate names of resource sites and feedback regarding this. I have not had much luck with the LPN state board of nursing website for our state. I am specifically looking at IV Certification and other skills such as flushing ng tubes, hanging tube feedings, etc.

leslie :-D · Aug 18, 2000

It's true that LPN's do most duties of an RN with the only significant difference being is that I, as an RN, am accountable for ALL of the staff on my floor, including LPNs. All of the nurses I work with are extremely competent, but as a charge nurse, it is imperative that all duties by nsg. staff (cna's and lpn's) are performed as is expected under their licenses and/or certifications. There are instances when an LPN wants to do charge and an RN wants to do the med pass; the RN doing the med pass is still responsible for any nsg. decisions the charge nurse carries out.