LPN's in psych ward

[mel82]

Can anyone tell me the roll of an LPN in a psych ward and do alot of hospitals hire them?

Thanks

[elkpark]

I have worked with many LPNs over the years on psych units. As in med-surg settings, they did much the same things that the RNs did -- give meds, do other sorts of treatments, participate in groups and other therapeutic activities on the unit, interact with clients. The usual sorts of limits about indepently assessing clients, being in charge of the unit, etc., apply in psych settings the same as med-surg -- some things just have to be done by an RN, as required by state and federal rules and regs.

Whether or not a particular setting uses LPNs is up to the individual facility.

[welshborg]

I have worked with many LPNs over the years on psych units. As in med-surg settings, they did much the same things that the RNs did -- give meds, do other sorts of treatments, participate in groups and other therapeutic activities on the unit, interact with clients. The usual sorts of limits about indepently assessing clients, being in charge of the unit, etc., apply in psych settings the same as med-surg -- some things just have to be done by an RN, as required by state and federal rules and regs.

Whether or not a particular setting uses LPNs is up to the individual facility.

i'm a qualified psychiatric nurse in the u.k.please can u tell me the difference between a LPN and an RN. i want to emigrate to the us but my qualification is not recognised by the states, so i'm looking to complete my training in the USA.:)