I am an RN in a 24-bed ICU. Currently, we have 1-2 LPN's scheduled per shift. Our policy is no more than 2 patients per RN unless you have an LPN working along with you, in which case you may have 3 patients. My experience with LPN's in citical care is that they seem to want to step outside of thier role-for example, push meds or draw off picc lines. Also, when the patient is crashing and I'm starting a new drip, calling the doc, etc., they will sometimes go off on break?!? Because RN's are paid more, some they feel they shouldn't do as much work and will bring a book to read while I run around at the end of the shift getting I&O's, restocking, or boosting patients.
I have worked in other departments with LPN's where each of us did our role and got the job done. In ICU it's different because our LPN's do have additional skills and want to function at a higher level. 10 years ago our ICU had LPN's taking care of thier own patients including IV pushes, IV's, and calling docs. There are a few of these LPN's left who practiced under those conditions and are now bitter to the rules. They feel they are stepping backwards in thier profession, but don't wish to pursue the RN degree.
I encountered a person the other day that said that she was an ICU - LVN in California.. Do you all have LPNs or LVNs working as nurses in your ICUs? I know we have had them come in and float around the unit, helping us turn and bathe patients, but never as caregivers, since many of our patients are on vaso-active drips or vents. Just wondering..
I encountered a person the other day that said that she was an ICU - LVN in California.. Do you all have LPNs or LVNs working as nurses in your ICUs? I know we have had them come in and float around the unit, helping us turn and bathe patients, but never as caregivers, since many of our patients are on vaso-active drips or vents. Just wondering..
I find it hard to believe that an LVN would be working in an ICU since Cailfornia has such a limited scope of practice for LVNs. Perhaps they are working in a stepdown unit/telemetry unit.
I would assume since Calif, like AZ has the LVn/LPN scope of practice is very limited that the ICU woldn't have a LVN working there. BUT then again, this LVN might be back in school finishing her RN and the ICU manger hired her to help her transition to be easier. So she might be a LVN, but she might be a Nurse Intern also. This will be happening to me when I'm 3 months out from graduting.
I encountered a person the other day that said that she was an ICU - LVN in California.. Do you all have LPNs or LVNs working as nurses in your ICUs? I know we have had them come in and float around the unit, helping us turn and bathe patients, but never as caregivers, since many of our patients are on vaso-active drips or vents. Just wondering..
She states that she was an ICU LVN in California, and just moved to Kansas. She is approximately 60 years old.. and I know in Kansas LPN/LVN's scope of practice is very limited, as well. My main concern was if this would be a new 'trend' to counteract the nursing shortage, and the safety factor, for both the nurses and the patients. Thank you both for answering my question.
I know at the hospital I work at has recently adopted a policy that new grads are not to take patients until they pass the boards and work as nursing techs.. anyway in the ICU's. I am not sure why they changed the policy, since the hospital is rather big, but what about new grads where you all are from? I am sorry if this is off topic, but I would like to know. Thanks.
I honeslty have never been to an ICU that used LPN's. I was a little shocked to see this. Nothing personal against anyone, but like many others, I am very glad thats not the situation where I work. I just cant see that being beneficial.
Then do not get sick in TX o FL, as they use LPN's in ICU, since thier scope of practice is much wider then most states. But I have to say, this, remembering my first hospital job, there was a LPN in PICU here in AZ, who had been working there for omething like 25 yrs. She was the only one there, and I remember talking to some of the RN who told me they loved her and she was a wealth of knowledge... Just because someone is a LVN/LPN doesnt mean they aren't knowledgeable and can't function at the same level as a RN.... With that kind of attitude, the split between LPN and RN's well continue...
regarding the new grad, I wish hospitals would adapt no new grads in ICU.. I spent 2 yrs on our med sur floor, have working Tele and have work in the LTACH (long Term acute care hospitals) vents, trachs, feeding tubes, wounds etc... I have a wealth of knowledge and info that most floor nursess (RN's) do not have. My transition into ICU will be an easy one. We have a 6 month long preceptor program. I'm looking forward to the jump..
She states that she was an ICU LVN in California, and just moved to Kansas. She is approximately 60 years old.. and I know in Kansas LPN/LVN's scope of practice is very limited, as well. My main concern was if this would be a new 'trend' to counteract the nursing shortage, and the safety factor, for both the nurses and the patients. Thank you both for answering my question.
I know at the hospital I work at has recently adopted a policy that new grads are not to take patients until they pass the boards and work as nursing techs.. anyway in the ICU's. I am not sure why they changed the policy, since the hospital is rather big, but what about new grads where you all are from? I am sorry if this is off topic, but I would like to know. Thanks.
To tell you the truth, some of the new grads scare me, too. In Florida and Texas, LPNs are allowed to administer IV meds and monitor vaso-active drips and access central lines, including arterial lines? Are they allowed to do sterile dressing changes, too, and do it all under their LPN/LVN license? Can they also be ACLS and PALS cerified? Believe me, I am not trying to say that LPN/LVN's are not intelligent.. I am asking about the scope of practice allowed in other states. Thanks
First off, what does being ACLS and PALS have to do about being an LPN. I work tele and its required to be ACLS, I get floated to PEDS and have to have PALS.. Its just a requirement of my job. I also get floated to couple care and yes I am NRP certified.
Now I had a good laugh at the sterile dressing change.. What only an RN can do that.. Why can't an LPN do that?
To tell you the truth, some of the new grads scare me, too. In Florida and Texas, LPNs are allowed to administer IV meds and monitor vaso-active drips and access central lines, including arterial lines? Are they allowed to do sterile dressing changes, too, and do it all under their LPN/LVN license? Can they also be ACLS and PALS cerified? Believe me, I am not trying to say that LPN/LVN's are not intelligent.. I am asking about the scope of practice allowed in other states. Thanks
Hopefully I won't get in trouble or flamed for saying this....but I'm an LPN....couldn't afford that extra year of school at the time.
I do get floated to stepdown and have cared for ICU overflow patients. I always get my own team...I can't imagine having another nurse hovering over me like I was at clinicals. I am also ACLS certified. I have cared for vented patients in a long term care facility, although that was a long time ago.
In my state I can draw off of lines, assess my own patients, hang and titrate drips, monitor chemo and blood, call docs for orders, etc....mainly I can't spike a bag of blood (but if another nurse is in there to check it, what's the extra five seconds it'll take you, really?) or do IV pushes.
IF I could do the pushes, I would feel totally comfortable working in ICU after an orientation. IF the ICU was staffed with RN's who were willing to help out (I usually volunteer to do labs, pass po meds, etc. in exchange for pushes being done) I'd be willing to do it, and I'm sure I'd do it well. I'd be fine working stepdown regularly now, except I like the nurses I work with now too much to leave, even though the charge nurses from there try to poach me from my floor.
When I do get pulled to stepdown, I constantly get "You're just a LPN? I thought you were a RN by the way you acted!" I try to take it as a compliment but I always want to ask just what exactly that means....
RN34TX
1,383 Posts
Yes, it is in fact my post that you quoted. See above?
Princess74 stated for us to "get off this RN vs. LVN thing because none of us want to hear it."
I responded that her statement is completely untrue and obviously we do want to hear it despite the "dead horse" comments posted.
If people weren't that interested in the topic, the subject wouldn't come up as often as it does here.