LPN in the ER

Specialties Emergency

Published

Hello everyone. I have an interview in the er at the hospital next week. For anyone who works in this department, what exactly do you do? What are you allowed and not allowed to do? I currently work in ltc and am beyond excited for this opportunity!!!!!!!! Thanks!!!!!:nurse::nurse:

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Specializes in Emergency.

Hey,

At the ER I am starting at, LVN's work as Techs. I'm actually a GVN, and I have orientation Monday but I know we are hired as LVN's but do Tech work. Start IV's, EKG's, hook patient up to the monitor, draw blood, tansport patients, help in codes, etc. Lots of skills stuff. Good Luck with your interview, be prepared for scenerio questions. I was asked a few.

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Thanks Calixan for your response. I'm so excited to work in the ER. I know I'll learn so much. I feel like I'm losing my skills working in ltc.

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wow im excited for you keep us posted cause i want to go to the ER so it will be interesting to get a idea of what im in for lol.

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I will.... For sure!! And thank you :-)

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Specializes in LTC.

That is awesome! So excited for you.

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Where in the hospital can LPN work? I will be graduating soon from an LPN program and really want to work on the OB floor, not sure if that can happen, let me know

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Specializes in ER.

I guess it depends on where you work. My ED lets LPNs have their own teams of patients. They can't take any chest pains, possible stroke, asthma patients but they do staff our express unit and manage teams of vag bleeders (miscarrying), etc.

Our LPNs aren't allowed to push cardiac meds, ativan, or morphine on their own but they do their own fluids, etc.

I agree that you will get a lot of experience. The LPNs still come into the code to help with the labor intensive stuff that takes a whole room full of nurses to do quickly. I had my a$$ saved by an LPN who led me through my first patient with chest pain protocol!!

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

The role of the LPN/LVN in the emergency department will vary quite a bit

depending on the hospital/institution. Ultimately your scope of practice will be

determined by your state board. Important to know this...

Some ER's only use their LPN's in a support role. Transportation, EKG's and

assisting in hooking up patients to a monitor and so on. Others actually allow

the LPN to take a full load of patients.

LPN's are actually utilized to their full potential restrained only by their

State Board Scope of Practice or Nurse Practice Act.

Phlebotomy, IV's, IV therapy, medications... seemed to me they did everything

except "signed" assessments, blood products, and discharge teaching. Even

cardiac drips were done by LPNs there.

With the new attention given to "Black Box" medications now considered

high-risk. I don't know what new restrictions might be placed on LPN's now

or in the future. I'm a traveler now and see new policies every 13-weeks or so.

Anyway, welcome to emergency medicine. It's my love. It's my passion.

Whatever your scope there will be an immense amount to learn. Take it

all in and run with it. Use it to further your education and get your RN.

Beyond rewarding. Sky's the Limit! Best of luck.

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Which hospital are you at that allows the LPNs to take those types of patients? I am staying as an LPN in an ER & we are looking for the protocols from other hospitals-so far I haven't had much luck.

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