i don't want my post to be the venue for an LPN-RN debate...this is just my opinion about the topic...
i understand that not EVERYBODY want to be an RN and that NOT everyone stays as an LPN...different situations calls for a different approach...we as nurses should be bonded and not debate amongst ourselves of who has the best career...it's hard enough explaining to the lay person what we do and how important we are and not "just nurses"...that we don't need to badmouth each other...
LPNs are not professional nurses. They have the word "nurse" in their title, but so does a CNA. An LPN is an assistant to the RN. A CNA, is also an assistant to the RN. The LPN is given technical tasks like dressing changes and med administration, and the CNA is given rudimentary tasks like ADLs and VS.
I won't even argue this one. If someone wants to dress up like a nurse and pretend, that's fine with me. But a nurse is a Registered Nurse.
Excuse me, I am a newly licensed LVN. In clinical I passed meds, inserted f/c, supra-pubic caths, ng tubes, wound care, head to toe assessments, nursing diagnoses, nursing process, charting, communication with physicians and families.... I had clinicals in OB/GYN, postpartum, pediatrics, urology etc, etc, etc. I went to care plan meetings on behalf of my patients etc. etc. I am a WELL EDUCATED LVN! I'm pround to be an LVN. My practice act states specifically that I AM a "professional nurse". Read it. It is people like you that causes strife and combat within this field and takes the focus off of GOOD patient care. Petty.
oh no, please let it die a quiet death...................
Sorry Deb, I can't. I respect the more advanced education of RN's. But, please give us respect. I am a good nurse and an intelligent human being. The difference between the LVN scope of practice and the ADN scope is very minimal in CA.
Specializes in Vents, Telemetry, Home Care, Home infusion.
my practice act states specifically that i am a "professional nurse".
licensed vocational nurses (lvns) provide basic bedside nursing care to clients under the direction of a physician or registered nurse. the lvn utilizes scientific and technical expertise and manual skills. duties within the scope of practice of an lvn typically include, but are not limited to, provision of basic hygienic and nursing care; measurement of vital signs; basic client assessment; documentation; performance of prescribed medical treatments; administration of prescribed medications; and, performance of non-medicated intraveneous therapy and blood withdrawal (requires separate board certification.)
2840. this chapter of the business and professions code constitutes the chapter on vocational nursing and may be cited as the vocational nursing practice act.
2840.5. (a) the legislature hereby declares the practice of
licensed vocational nursing to be a profession.
(b) this section shall not be construed to affect the laws
relating to the practice of registered nursing, including the
provisions of chapter 6 (commencing with section 2700), nor any
existing regulations relating to registered nurse staffing of
licensed vocational nurses (lvns) provide basic bedside nursing care to clients under the direction of a physician or registered nurse. the lvn utilizes scientific and technical expertise and manual skills. duties within the scope of practice of an lvn typically include, but are not limited to, provision of basic hygienic and nursing care; measurement of vital signs; basic client assessment; documentation; performance of prescribed medical treatments; administration of prescribed medications; and, performance of non-medicated intraveneous therapy and blood withdrawal (requires separate board certification.)
2840. this chapter of the business and professions code constitutes the chapter on vocational nursing and may be cited as the vocational nursing practice act.
2840.5. (a) the legislature hereby declares the practice of
licensed vocational nursing to be a profession.
(b) this section shall not be construed to affect the laws
relating to the practice of registered nursing, including the
provisions of chapter 6 (commencing with section 2700), nor any
existing regulations relating to registered nurse staffing of
i stand corrected. i have a profession, but i am not a "professional." ok. go figure. i understand that i work "under" the rn and the physician, but is it necessary to make me feel like an underling? how about a team player? regardless of whether or not i meet the legal definition of "professional" why are the rn's trying to keep me from practicing the skills that i was taught to do in school? nope, "skilled nursing" is in my future...isn't that an oxymoron? i get to care for 30 patients while the safe staffing laws assure a 6:1 ratio in acute care. i love acute care, and i want a chance to work as a team player in my local hospitals! thanks for listening to my vent.
talk to your board of nursing about that one, tiona.
I edited my last message. I'm interested in your response...then I'll go in peace. T oops...didn't know we went on to another page. Didn't mean to go on-and-on. I just wanted to have the "last word" :imbar
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
Tiona, if you please, look back on page one of this thread....... I already ANSWERED this one LONG ago, when the thread was originally started. If you took the time to dig this far back, you may find it beneficial to try and find the time to read all the responses. There are some really good responses from many people, already. This one has been done to death, many times over. Take care now. :)
In Arkansas an LPN IS a professional nurse, and our scope of practice is greatly left up to the hospital's policies.
But an LPN is NOT the same as an RN, I am an LPN and on my floor I share the same basic duties as an RN, BUT because of their greater responsibility and because of respect for their more advanced education, I will defer pts whom I am not comfortable taking care of to the RN that I am working with, just the same as I would defer a pt to a more experienced LPN, not because I am uncomfortable with my skills but come on ya'll we were not born into this world with the knowledge and skills to be a nurse, nor do we automatically get them upon graduation from a nursing school, be it LPN, ADN, BSN or whatever. I will gladly spend much of my time after I have given a pt to someone else trying to learn as much as I can from them and generally they are very willing to teach. I do not know as much as most of the RNs I have had the pleasure of working with nor do I have as much knowledge as an LPN who has been practicing for 20+ years, but I do have more experience and knowledge than a brand new RN or LPN, and I would never take the attitude that I am better than they are, I am still learning new things every day as hopefully all of us are, and the day you think you know it all should be the day you retire because you are no longer safe. JMHO.
In Arkansas an LPN IS a professional nurse, and our scope of practice is greatly left up to the hospital's policies.
But an LPN is NOT the same as an RN, I am an LPN and on my floor I share the same basic duties as an RN, BUT because of their greater responsibility and because of respect for their more advanced education, I will defer pts whom I am not comfortable taking care of to the RN that I am working with, just the same as I would defer a pt to a more experienced LPN, not because I am uncomfortable with my skills but come on ya'll we were not born into this world with the knowledge and skills to be a nurse, nor do we automatically get them upon graduation from a nursing school, be it LPN, ADN, BSN or whatever. I will gladly spend much of my time after I have given a pt to someone else trying to learn as much as I can from them and generally they are very willing to teach. I do not know as much as most of the RNs I have had the pleasure of working with nor do I have as much knowledge as an LPN who has been practicing for 20+ years, but I do have more experience and knowledge than a brand new RN or LPN, and I would never take the attitude that I am better than they are, I am still learning new things every day as hopefully all of us are, and the day you think you know it all should be the day you retire because you are no longer safe. JMHO.
As a new grad I recognize that I am on a VERY high learning curve. I would work for free for a year in order to be under the mentorship of a willing RN or experienced LVN in an acute care setting. I raised 5 children, 2 have complex medical conditions. My home was an ICU for a few years. I spent several years teaching, but because of the wonderful medical professionals that I met when my children were ill, I always dreamed of being a nurse. Given my age, I opted for an LVN program. When I actually went out there and started my clinical rotations I was so excited and did so well. I met many great nurses who taught me a lot and many that would just as soon squash me for being alive. I developed a pretty tough skin. I just want to learn as much as possible, in a friendly environment and take care of people less fortunate than I. The politics of medicine seem way more complex than the politics of education.
People seem so flippant on this board sometimes. Maybe I'll retire now, or go back to teaching, at least I was a "professional" there.
We are all patient advocates. I am glad I never had to work with Plato, we would have chatted multiple times in my office I am sure.
LPNs in my facility and RNs too were stripped of their autonomy a few years back by a control freek DON. Right now I am trying to re-instate that independance and it is a lot of fun. The LPNs can take verbal orders from docs now, the critical thinking that goes with that is not as rusty as I thought it would be. These nurses all know their patients so well that they are the better nurse to talk to a doc and answer questions than the clinical coordinator. The Nurse aids are the ones who do the baths, dress the patients, walk them, change their diapers. They are responsible for reporting a change in skin integrity, ability to move or respond to requests. Team work is being implemented, no one says "thats not my patient",..." I will find someone to help you" or " I will find someone who has that answer" are the appropriate responses. The first response does make us sound kinda stupid and/or lazy to families and patients.
Not having a supportive administration is also a problem so this has been implemented too that "No one works only daylight weekdays" The administrator worked 11-7 two nights ago to be available to talk to staff.
So meeting patient needs and family needs and working as a team, how hard is that? For some it dosent work,some of those individuals might be better suited to a Phd with a private lab to do research in. Or be a Case Manager, you get to argue every day and its in your job description so you will be rewarded for it.
Is anyone really "higher or better than someone else", maybe in a small way but as humans we really all do have something to offer that someone else could never do quite as well.
tiona
46 Posts
Excuse me, I am a newly licensed LVN. In clinical I passed meds, inserted f/c, supra-pubic caths, ng tubes, wound care, head to toe assessments, nursing diagnoses, nursing process, charting, communication with physicians and families.... I had clinicals in OB/GYN, postpartum, pediatrics, urology etc, etc, etc. I went to care plan meetings on behalf of my patients etc. etc. I am a WELL EDUCATED LVN! I'm pround to be an LVN. My practice act states specifically that I AM a "professional nurse". Read it. It is people like you that causes strife and combat within this field and takes the focus off of GOOD patient care. Petty.