LPN working in a Tech role

[Ele_123]

I was planning on graduating May 2015 with a BSN and taking the RN NCLEX. Well, things changed and I only graduated with a BS degree, but was able to take the LPN NCLEX instead of RN and obtained my LPN license. I had previously worked as a nurse tech at a hospital for almost a year prior to this. My manager was going to hire me as a new grad RN, but instead hired me as an LPN. This sounded great and I was pretty excited I could still work in a hospital setting.

Fast forward 9 months, my job title, pay, & badge say LPN, but my login for charting still list me as a PCT and I do the exact same tasks I did as a tech. I've asked my manager several times if/when I am going to go to class/orientation and get some answer about not having enough techs to lose me for a couple of weeks, classes being full, people being out of town, etc. She tells me that I'm allowed to do anything I learned to do in nursing school and am licensed to do by the BON, but the problem is I don't have the ability to chart anything unless a coworker logs on to a computer and I chart/administer meds/drains/IVs/dressings/etc. The nurses I work with are hesitant about this arrangement and so am I. Some nurses will refer to me as a nurse when we meet a new patient others will still tell the patient I'm a tech/aide. It's a tough situation to explain when I'm made to float to other floors and they expect a CNA to use as a tech or sitter and instead get an LPN and want to use me as a nurse. Agency LPNs who float to my floor wonder why the floor is paying extra for them instead of using me to my full ability.

I enjoy the people I work with, the patients, the hospital, etc. It's frustrating because I didn't go to school for 4/5 years to do the same job duties- I could have dropped out of college and saved several thousand dollars in loans. There are also other LPNs I know and work with who are used to their full ability. This also doesn't seem very cost-effective to pay me a few more dollars an hour, but have me doing a role which someone could be paid less and do. I've offered to work night shift too. I'm ready to apply elsewhere, but it's tough to leave that hospital/atmosphere and flexibility of 8/12 and days, but I can't get a straight answer from my manager. Anyone have any advice?

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

If your hospital is still utilizing LPNs to their full scope, you should seek out getting on a floor that will use you full scope; you are a nurse and should at least be able to practice and document as such.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

You worked hard for your LPN license. It is about time that you utilize it to your full scope of practice, even if this means finding another employer that will place a higher value on your time and skills.