lpn's in ER

Nittlebug · Apr 9, 2002

We don't hire LPNs in our ER. I am thankful we are not shortstaffed at this time. If we did ever hire LPNs due to a shortage of RNs I think we could make it work out that they get assigned appropriate patients. We have many non critical patients that need ER care but don't really require an RN. I think an LPN is qualified to do pt teaching of discharge instructions.

rn2binmay · Apr 20, 2002

Regardless of the amount of experience one nurse (lpn or rn) has over another, RN's, quite simply, have received a different level of education than LPNs. It is for this reason that part of an RN's scope of work is to oversee that of the LPN. If an LPN is unhappy with this arrangement, or enraged by any discussion of it, he or she should realize the RN's don't make the laws, the laws are made in the interest of patient safety.

JillR · Apr 20, 2002

rn2binmay,

That is a very simplistic way of looking at things and I feel that when you get out there in the real world, your view may change.

Give me a LPN with ER experience over an RN without anyday. Some people are just plain scarey in the ER, regardless of their educational level. Just wait, you'll see.

rn2binmay · Apr 21, 2002

Jill, you may be right, it just bothers me to read all the nitpicking and arguing about LPNs vs. RNs. Sure, lots of LPN's have more experience than lots of RN's. Every LPN in the world has more experience than me, a GN. But the RN's are always going to be responsible for overseeing the LPNs. That's just the way it is, and I don't think it's fair that the LPN's cry the "holier than thou" thing every time the distinction is made. It get's old.

JillR · Apr 23, 2002

Can't disagree that it gets old rn2binmay. That is usually why I stay out of these kid of discussions.

I am the only RN in our very small hospital ER and if I have to pull someone for help, I will pull the person with the most ER/EMS experience. I don't really care what letters are behind their names. If I need an RN, I specify that I need an RN, otherwise I may just need a hand with something that does not require an RN but does require soome kind of EMS training. That person may not be an RN, and at that time, I really don't care.

So, if come to work someday, need some help and have a choice between an RN with no EMS expereince and a LPN with EMS experience, I will probably pick the LPN.

MPHkatie · May 5, 2002

3 LPN's in our ER, They generally work in the fast track/urgent care area of the obs unit that is sort of like floor nursing. unfortunately, for the LPN's, they are hired under the impression that they will work everywhere and oreinted everywhere, then they always work in fast track and the obs unit, because their scope of practice works well there. I don't have a problem working with any of them, although I have found them to be entirely irritating when they come up against a procedure they are not by scope of practice allowed to do. They come to me to do it, and I am happy to do it, but then I must listen to about 10 minutes of "I don't know why I'm not allowed to do XYZ" Well, the lpn isn't allowed to do XYZ because the law says so, I'm busy at work and don't really care to debate the law right then. I'm not sure why, but Ihave heard it from every LPN I have worked with... thats the only thing that irritates me about working with LPN's. One of our guys recently decided to go back for his RN and I applaud it, he has a lot of experience and will be a huge asset to the main ER.

stressedlpn · May 9, 2002

hi I am a LPN that works in my local er sure there are things that I can't due such as push meds lucky for me all the RNs I work with are very helpful and supportive. I only have three years exp. However I do have my ACLS and PALS. I wk the 7p-7a shift and since I am also trained in the Resp. care department most find it useful to have me around by the way I am responsible for ABG and EKGs. When it all comes down to it we are all nurses are we not we all work towards the same goal(giving the best care to our pts ) right what does it matter what letters are behind our names. I love wking the er, and thank goodness that I live where I am allowed to do so. Usually while the RN is getting push meds ready I am starting the I.V. ect or while she is pushing I am doing other things so it all works out. Everyone helps and the job is done to the best of our ability. I had to earn their respect but that comes with the territory. You have to trust who you are wking with. Does it really matter that I am just an LPN. I have the knowledge to do my job. and do it well by the way. anyhow thats all. god bless everyone

Sekar · May 15, 2002

IV Push Meds? Here in NC LPNs can push IV Meds, it's been in the LPN scope of practice for a few years now. LPNs in the ER depends on the facility. In the local Army Hospital LPNs are permanent positions. Right now we have LPNs filling in for RNs because there aren't enough RNs to go around. Every shift does have at least ONE RN scheduled, but sometimes the rest of the shift is LPNs. I'm a LPN and Trauma trained since I was just a wee little nurse. I can hold my own with any other nurse in the ER, be it LPN or RN. I've been through 4 real world mass casualties and one war. I've been trained in ACLS, PALS, ATLS and so has every other Nurse in the ER. We have our place in the ER.

Flo1216 · Jul 10, 2002

This is a little off the subject but I agree that the elitist attitude is annoying. I am currently enrolled in a 3 year RN diploma program(I am in my 3rd year) and my program gets looked down upon by BSN programs and ADN programs. The ironic thing is that I get more clinical experience than either of those programs and I will still take the same boards and hold the same license, yet my program is looked upon as inferior. Right now I work as a CNA and even the CNA'S who work in the ER act superior to the CNAS who work in med surg. It is so ridiculous. And then we have CNA's who work in L&D and instead of calling themselves CNA'S, they call themselves " Perinatal Technicians" Give me a break. Why does everything have to be a big pissing contest? If an LPN in the ER can make my job easier and provide good patient care within the scope of his/ her practice, then what is the problem??? So there. (Sorry... I am grouchy)

teeituptom, BSN, RN · Jul 17, 2002

Howdy Yall

from deep in the heart of texas

I think we all just need to go and hit some golf balls, will makes us all feel better, guaranteed

RNFROG3, BSN, RN · Aug 20, 2002

I would support an LPN in our fast track. (trauma level -2, 7-monitor, 3-trauma rooms,14 sick call beds and 6 fast track) Usually we have a paramedic or tech covering those areas and they are good/great most of the time. But I think the additional assessment skills of an LPN would be beneficial as sometimes things are missed that a seasoned LPN would have caught.

Ken -- I'm not a superior thinking RN- I work well with all our staff and lets not leave out the super special secretaries who have to work with the entire ER staff. But I would not support an LPN in trauma and monitor areas.Not because they aren't capable-- the way Indiana law is written I have to assess every pt she/he has-on the floor this isn't bad I've got 12 hours to do theirs and mine. In the ER-- maybe you are from a small er that doesn't see 100-200 pt per day--but I simply don't have that kinda time. If it were only pushing a few meds I agree--no problem, but in Indy at least it goes way deeper than that.

AlaskanRN · Sep 4, 2002

I work in a small rural ED. Besides the RN's, we have an LPN and a couple of ET's. You need to look at everyone's skill on an individual basis. There is an ET that I would prefer by my side in a crunch, over one of our RN's. I may have to do the IVP's when I work with these two, but I know I can rely on them in a crisis situation. That's more than I can say for one of the RN's I work with. You have to go case by case, and together there isn't anything we can't handle.