Lpn and dermatology/womans health

[tammy07]

I live in knoxville, TN and currently work in ltc have been for over a year, I have decided that I want a change I really enjoyed womans health and I also have an interest in dermatology, my question is does anyone in my area know if lpns work in that area of medicine.

[Fiona59]

Depends on your local job market and scope of practice. I know that in my province we work everywhere except NICU.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I am employed in a hospital clinic and recently, I requested to be cross trained in OB/GYN and while it is challenging, I LOVE it!

We have walk-ins that request pregnancy tests and the morning after pill (although, I was not fortunate enough to deal with the morning after ladies myself just yet), OB Screening to collect data on their last period and since we have computerized charting, the computer will generate how many weeks pregnant they are as well as their estimated date of delivery, do trimester-related health maintainance and s/s requiring emergent care, treat veneral diseases, contraception, infertility, high risk pregnancies, arrange for admissions for inducement of labor, and a host of other things. I had to start looking at the medications in a totally different way...the pregnancy catagories. And, I have to know before I speak to another nurse or doctor how many weeks pregnant they are in order for them to give me the answer I need (something I didn't have to do before). Fill out WIC forms, order diabetic supplies, warn them of the danger signs of pregnancy...teach them how to obtain semen samples for analysis (now, THAT is interesting...), so many things!! I had to actually pull out my textbook; only to discover that while I was in school, I had highlighted and wrote over it so much that it was illegible, so, I ordered a new copy and updated edition in order to re-familiarize myself with the terms, conditions, etc...

It is a new challenge to me, and I am glad I took the leap. Hope you also get a chance to do so!