LPNs in the ER

[amandab13]

I am an LPN and I work in a busy, inner city ER in Alberta, Canada. I am curious as to where your from and if LPNs work in the ER.

Do you work in the ER? If so, are you full scope? (If you're outside of Alberta, can you tell me what skills you all can do?)

Did you need any extra certification? (ACLS/TNCC/PALS/ENPC...)

I am looking to write a paper about LPNs in the ER and the more info you can give me, the better!!

Thank you!

[Fiona59]

Better try the Canadian forum. Most American LPNs have restricted scopes.

[amandab13]

I am interested in all of North America. I find it very interesting how everywhere is so different.

[Prettygrlzroc]

Yes. I work in a rural hospital in Georgia that utilizes LPN's in the ER.

[Scottishtape]

There is a hospital close to me in FLorida that employs LPNs in the ED. They have to use a buddy system though becuase LPNs can't push anything but saline through an IV.

[Fiona59]

There is a hospital close to me in FLorida that employs LPNs in the ED. They have to use a buddy system though becuase LPNs can't push anything but saline through an IV.

Seriously?

We're all IV push certified in my hospital. The only thing we can't push are cardiac meds.

[Sour Lemon]

Seriously?

We're all IV push certified in my hospital. The only thing we can't push are cardiac meds.

This varies greatly from state to state. In Texas LVNs could do quite a bit. In California they are very restricted.

[bugya90, ASN, BSN, LVN, RN]

I'm in Texas. Our ER uses LVNs but they function more as techs than nurses. They don't take their own load and are assigned to 2-3 RNs. They do skills as assigned (start Foley's, IVs, vitals, etc) and transport patients as needed. They're not allowed to do that initial assessment due to scope of practice so the RN is always the first one to see the patient and get the history. After that the LVN can carry out any physician orders. LVNs can't administer blood and certain IV medications in Texas. We also have EMTs in the ER and the LVN definitely has a broader scope than the EMT but they are both still assigned to a group of RNs and both function more as techs/assistants.

[brownbook]

I don't know any of the details, I was the house supervisor, but our ER had an "urgent care clinic" area for patients triaged as needing lesser care. We had LVN's staff that area, it worked fine.