LPN's just glorified nurse aids in LTC? Huh?

[onehusbandsevenkids]

I recently had a couple of nurses tell me that LPN's are just basically glorified aid in LTC settings.

I though that LPN's did mostly the same work as RN's in the LTC setting.

I know that everyone needs to be a team and pitch in and get whatever needs to be done, done. But LPN's as glorified aids? Why go to LPN school then?

[Valerie Salva, BSN, RN]

I am an RN in LTC, and I think my duties pretty much qualify me as a glorified aide.

[Valerie Salva, BSN, RN]

hi i'm new here. as far as my ltc facility goes, you can tell which nurses have been cna's (or for that matter lpn's) before becoming rn's. it really does show. those that were so quick to rush to the big r.n. tend to think of themselves more highly than someone who is "just" an lpn. now let me say that this isn't always the case. we have a couple older rn's who seem to think that because they never had to wipe a butt as a cna or console a dying person as an lpn means that they're better, in my opinion, they're not the better nurses. i believe that lpn's are just as good as rn's. (i just quit signing lpn not too long ago.) then there are the nurses that were cna's that went on to be lpn's who finally went on to be rn's who forgot where they came from and look down their noses at those without that oh so high and mighty rn behind their name.

i've always told my co-workers, whether they be cna's, uap's, lpn's, or whatever the case maybe that if i ever even begin to act like i see myself as better because of the two high and mighty letters behind my name, then they should call me on it, and smack me back into reality.

truthfully, i believe lpn's are just as good as rn's (sometimes w-a-y better.) just because you went to school to get the degree doesn't always mean you have common sense or that you can apply what is behind that degree! so if you're an lpn you need to give yourself a pat on the back, keep your head held high, and don't ever forget you're a n-u-r-s-e too.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~tasha~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

i was an lpn for many years before i became an rn. would you say that i wasted my time, and actually regressed by becoming an rn?

[CITCAT]

Correct ingelin lpns dont pronounce death or sign death certs If anyone has misunderstood plz accpt my apology, this was not the intent.It appears that in different states seem to have different regs, Where i live the lpn has alot of jurisdiction withthere skills they cannot hang blood , they cannot start ivs if they do not have certs by their facility cnnot administer intracardiac drugs but these are depending upon the faciity/hospital/ltc.Go Navy!

[Woodenpug, BSN]

One more thing lpn/lvn's are specifically excluded from supervision.

[Simplepleasures]

One more thing lpn/lvn's are specifically excluded from supervision.

I don't think this is correct in some states, LPNs are used as supervisors, I don't nessesarily agree with it though. I know an LPN is usually called a charge nurse in LTC, doesnt mean a whole lot more than the LPN is held to task if the CNAs haven't done their jobs.

[Xbox Live Addict]

In Oklahoma, LPNs are pretty much the heavy lifters in LTC. In any LTC facility, you'll have an RN-DON, and a weekend "RN Supervisor" (who is basically just there to comply with Medicare's rules mandating an RN is physically present 8 hours a day, and I saw some facilities which got by without even that.) The RN supervisors generally only do whatever care plan paperwork the DON didn't get to; the LPNs supervise all AUAs (CNA and CMA), do all Tx, hang all IVs (I've never seen TPN or blood given in LTC, ever), deal with angry residents and family, do all communications with physicians and pharmacy, and are held responsible for anything that goes wrong, with regards to resident care or staff supervision. Never seen a RN supervisor disciplined for any operating issues on the weekends.

[Woodenpug, BSN]

"I don't think this is correct in some states, LPNs are used as supervisors, I don't nessesarily agree with it though. I know an LPN is usually called a charge nurse in LTC, doesnt mean a whole lot more than the LPN is held to task if the CNAs haven't done their jobs."

You'd think I'd learn about overgeneralizing. I honestly believed that lvn/lpn's do not have delegation authority.

[AntFlip7395]

"I don't think this is correct in some states, LPNs are used as supervisors, I don't nessesarily agree with it though. I know an LPN is usually called a charge nurse in LTC, doesnt mean a whole lot more than the LPN is held to task if the CNAs haven't done their jobs."

You'd think I'd learn about overgeneralizing. I honestly believed that lvn/lpn's do not have delegation authority.

I don't know how this works in all states, but the Ohio board of nursing states:

"A licensed practical nurse may delegate only at the direction of the registered nurse and if all the conditions for delegation set forth in this chapter are met".

There is a delegation model that spells out when and if a task should be delegated and to whom.

I would think that in most cases LPN authority to delegate in a LTC setting is assumed, otherwise, RNs would need to staff nursing homes or be on call 24/7 for the LPN to call and ask for permission to delegate tasks.

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

not true

one more thing lpn/lvn's are specifically excluded from supervision.

[jj1986]

LOL! When I was in clinicals I watched as an LPN had to walk the RN through the steps on starting a hepatamine infusion. The LPN had IV cert but facility policy didn't allow her to use it, instead they let the "qualified" RN do it.:chuckle-BY the way, that's not an isolated incident.

[maryjose1]

I have worked in LTC for well over 20+ yrs and love every minute of it. Each and every area of nursing takes a special kind of person to embrace their field and patients. There are some in the field who that are clock watchers and some like myself that have a true passion and know that this what we were meant to do...That is ...Take care of the elderly. I personly love each and everyone of mine as if they were part of my family and never forget that ...I could be them in the yrs to come.....

[husker_rn, RN]

I work weekend option and have 2 LPNs that work every other weekend with me. We split the residents on the floor and each of us carries a team independently. I keep an eye out if they need help and we have a team attitude. They are great nurses !! Not all facilities appreciate LPNs but mine does and so do I !! Incidently, I am not a supervisor either, just weekend nurse.