LPN's/LVN's in a Phase II area of PACU.

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · Jun 27, 2009

We do not use LPNS in our hospital systems; that includes all 5 hospitals.

All4Seasons · Oct 9, 2009

Our PACU, just last week, completed its first ever trial of using an LPN in our 'Extended Stay' unit -a separate space across from the main PACU where pts,ready to be discharged from us,went when Phase 2 (it's called Post Recovery Lounge here) is full or the floor cannot accept just yet (you know,the usual 'bed not ready' issues,et cetera).This unit was created to ease the log jam of pts in PACU. It works very,very well.

The woman was let go. Her enthusiasm and competence weren't in question. They put her through the med course at a local college so she could handle meds,including narcotics. These pts are no longer PACU pts so neither she or her RN colleague (who wasn't let go) had to go through the ICU course required to work here.

Unfortunately,her personality cost her her job. I've nursed now for 30 years (I can't even believe that number),and have probably worked with hundreds of nurses, and never have I worked with anyone as aggressively defensive. She came in swinging..."ready-to-pounce" as someone termed it. I had had a few rough spots with her but we worked through it. I kept this to myself (I thought it was just a she-and-me type thing I suppose).Others didn't I guess (not that they should have kept it quiet) -as the unit manager did not renew her contract.

The surprising thing I did learn was that it isn't likely that they'll ever hire another LPN in the Extended Stay (that's too bad -can't paint everyone with the same brush). For sure,LPNs will never be hired to work in the PACUs here.

To be honest,I don't know how the LPN program differs from a registered nursing diploma program (I think you call it an Associate's Degree in the US?). Here,in Canada,we no longer have any diploma programs...only university-based BN or BScN programs. There is quite a breach of knowledge between the degree prepared RN and the LPN. Especially evident in an ICU setting. That's not to say there are not excellent LPNs who are an asset to their areas. I'm still not sure how I feel personally.