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

Published

I recently had a couple of nurses tell me that LPN's are just basically glorified aids 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?

What are typical LPN duties in a LTC setting?

I Would Like To Say As A Former Cna For 1 Yr, Lpn For 5 Yrs And Now Rn For 6 Yrs That I Understand The Second Class Treatment That Lpn's And Cna's Receive At Times. There Are Some Differences In What The Roles Are. However, I Feel That There Are Many Lpn's Out There That Are Just As Qualified And Even More Qualified Then Some Rn's. Don't Let The Ego Seeking Nurse Diminish The Importance Of Your Job. Without Cna's, Lpn,s And Rn's Our Systems Of Care Would Not Work. Everyone Plays An Important Role.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I recently had a couple of nurses tell me that LPN's are just basically glorified aids 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?

What are typical LPN duties in a LTC setting?

I have been an LPN since 1997. I've worked on a med/surg floor in a

busy Pennsylvania hospital, then onto a rehab hospital/LTC facility

when we moved to Pittsburgh. I have been a stay at home mom for

a few years now and am going to school for my RN. I was Never a glorified

LPN. I am a nurse that did all aspects of nursing care at both facilities,except

for IV push. I worked with respected RN's, LPN's and CNA's. We worked as

a team. I did work with a couple of RN's who thought they were better

than me and my peer LPN's, but so what! I will always remember my

roots! I was an LPN first and I am proud of that. I learned so much

being an LPN and would never change that. Good luck to you in school

and don't second guess your decision to become an LPN.It's a good choice.

And, if you ever decide to become an RN you'll be glad you started nursing

the way you did. And, by the way, I was a charge nurse at the rehab facility

I worked at, I just worked under an RN shift supervisor.

Nicki

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Please tell me where I can get my LPN is 3 months? I'm an LPN in Ma.

and that's insane. By the way since you don't want someone with such

little training taking care of you, you better make sure you never get a new

grad.

A CNA course in 3 mos...maybe... but LPN, I never heard of such a course....just the rotations alone were more than 3 mos, not including the pre reqs for your classes....47-52 weeks full time is more like what we endured.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Please tell me where I can get my LPN is 3 months? I'm an LPN in Ma.

and that's insane. By the way since you don't want someone with such

little training taking care of you, you better make sure you never get a new

grad.

What state did she say that was is that in?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.
I.

All i can say is,, those that give respect, get respect. Whatever letters are behind the name on the badge.

this is a very good bottom line.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Just more evidence that we need revamping of our nursing programs in this country.

It's sad that we all want to be stronger and unified and yet still bicker day to day about who is a better/more qualified nurse.

Amen, it just never ends. How LPN/LVNs function is not necessarily an issue of how much the profession is respected. A lot of it has to do with regulation, required staffing models etc. And again I have to say, in some settings its right back to reimbursement issues. Like many, I also started as an LPN in New york ( became an RN 4 years later)and at that time, we were often the charge nurses with RNs on staff. It was a matter of experience in most cases. We did everything, hang blood, push meds, all of it. As I recall, it was all very cooperative and most of all seamless. I dont recall any "oneupmanship" ie LPN versus Diploma RN versus ADN versus BSN. We all learned from each other all the time. Personally, I loved learning from the few BSNs we had at that time. They had a global view on a lot of things and a disciplined academic approach that was helpful in problem solving.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I recently had a couple of nurses tell me that LPN's are just basically glorified aids 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?

What are typical LPN duties in a LTC setting?

It never ceases to amaze me about the myths of LPNs. I have been in LTC for 22 years and LPN's in our facility are definitely more than a nurse aide. The LPN is the station supervisor, they do treatments, feeding tubes, IVs, communicate with DRs and families, take off orders, fix commodes, hold hands with residents, laugh, cry and keep it all going. I have been an LPN for 21 years and I am currently the assistant director of nurses. I train all new employees and I am the medicaid nurse aide training instructor. Normally an RN would do my job but I have worked through the ranks and acheived the title without my degree. I could care less about being an RN because the only thing that would change I could be DON. I don't want that. Hospitals want RN's give me a LPN anyday.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in I've done it all!! I exceed expectations.

I'm not sure if I'm posting in the right place..But having worked in many LTC facilities in several states over the last 35 years, I'd mention an area that I haven't seen mentioned much. Who is the first responder for diarrhea, emesis, feeding, turning and positioning? Who is first in line for all MRSA infections, flu viruses, and bacteria laden diarrhea? (Often before isolation processes are initiated!) It's your CNA. :balloons: My first priority is to give heavy doses of thanks and appreciation to my CNA's and let them know that while my primary responsibility is (usually) the medication pass, I will always try to help answer lights and assist with heavy care. A quote that I've found to be true: "A good CNA can make or break a good nurse." Just my thought on the subject for today. All take care on the journey of life.

I recently had a couple of nurses tell me that LPN's are just basically glorified aids 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?

What are typical LPN duties in a LTC setting?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

What are typical LPN duties in a LTC setting?

I work as an LPN in a Longterm care setting we also have a Rehablitaion wing that I work in as well. In both settings I do exactly the same job as the RN. I am responsible for medication administration, treatments and assessments, along with many other duties. I am also the charge nurse on my wing responsible for the supervision of the CNA's working under me. anyway I guess what I am trying to say is that at least where I work there is relatively no difference in duties between LPN and Rn the only difference is in pay.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

WOOOO HOOOOO, this should be a typo!!!

Actualy I was a CNA where I used to live up nouth and worked in an LTC setting.

I did the same duties as the LPN (pass meds, do tx, admister insulin, ect,) and was still a CNA only I had to go through 4 hours of training to do it for a classification of Med cretified CNA.

Jus my 2 cents

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Glorified aides? oh please, to this i take offense. the responsibilities we LPN's have in the LTC far outweigh the CNA's responsibilities. I work in LTC and have for 6 years now. Our CNA's are very important in our workplace and are greatly appreciated. I was a CNA for 4 years before going to scgool. There is a very big difference. In my LTC, we are responsible for meds, treatments, admits, assessments, NG & G tubes, IV's, Full codes, taking DR's orders, checking in and giving narcotics, therapy consults, the list goes on. We have the lives of peple in our hands. We have ages 17 thru 102, its not just elderly. Not to mention being educated on the meds we give, what they do, reactions to watch for and knowing what is compatable and whats not. I would really hate to see a CNA give meds thru a NG or G-tube, treat anaphlactic shock from antibiotic, or verify lung sounds indicating fluid overload, asp. pneumonia, etc, etc. the list goes on & on. Im pround to be an LPN and proud of my education and my skills. Do you want a CNA to change a dressing on a wound vacuum pump on your loved one? Please, glorified CNA??? Lets be realistic here.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in med/surg, cardiac/tele, critical care.

All I know about the subject is anecdotal and not in an LTC environment. I worked at a small hospital in CA this past January where LVNs were utilized. The CA standards severely limited the role of the LVN to the point that they weren't allowed to do assessments, could not administer any IV medictions, (however they could "flush" heplocs), and were not allowed to be "assigned" patients. They could not interpret lab values and not even allowed to recopy the med sheets for the next day! They were basically being used as glorified CNAs. This was really frustrating when, according to the California Nurse Practice Act, an RN could not be assigned more than five telemetry patients at any given time. However, if an LVN was on the "team", an RN would routinely be given 10 patients. :angryfire

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion