LPN role on a medical surgical unit?

[jakrob123]

Hi guys!

Recently passed my NCLEX-PN and applied for an LPN position on a medical surgical unit at a local hospital. It's a pretty big healthcare system and the area I live in (the Chicagoland area) its very rare for LPNs to work in the hospital setting.

 

I wanted to know what the scope of practice is if any of you have/are been an LPN on on the hospital floors. Are there big differences between the RNs/LPNs? -  I checked already and this position will be considered as a nurse position not a PCT/NCT (another healthcare system hires LPNs as nursing techs, not staff nurses). 

 

Thanks! 

[Davey Do]

Hi  jakrob! I live in the metro east St. Louis area of Illinois and my medical nurse wife Belinda worked med surg for over a decade, and now works in IMU. From what I understand, LPNs can do just about everything an RN does except hang IVs and blood. I don't think they do admissions, but I'm not sure.

I started out as an LPN  and was hired by the hospital in 1984 where I did my clinical rotation. Even in those days, LPNs where not prevalent in the hospital setting, so congratulations on passing the NCLEX and good luck in your endeavor!

[downsouthlaff, LPN]

It entirely depends on the hospital. I’ve seen small med surg hospitals use LPNs as primary nurses for about 6 or 7 stable patients who the only time the Charge RN was called was when a push was needed. The lpn assessed, rounded with the doctor, supervised the CNAs, and basically handled all of the patients primary nursing care and was the patients go to primary nurse. I’ve seen larger hospitals use LPNs as techs, po meds only, blood glucoses, and worked more as an assistant to all of the RNs on the floor. It just depends.