LPNs Working on Acute Care Floors

[Jenna Thornton]

Hello,

Do you hire LPNs onto acute care floors at your facility? If so, what is their role and what support is provided?

Thank you!

[Snatchedwig, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN]

I did as a LPN.

First job was at a rehab that specializes in long term ventilator stay patients. Fulltime pulmonary nurse till I went to my other job.

Second job at a LTACH (long term acute care hospital) which is what I do now as a RN. My capacity as a LPN was I had my own patient load. These patients are sicker than sick. Multiple organ failure, emergent dialysis, sepsis, monitoring hemodynamics, etc. Only thing I didnt do as a LPN was admissions and be the initiator of a blood transfusion. After the initial connection I would be the one monitoring.

[Mr.Lollercoastr, CNA, LPN]

During my clinicals, there was an LPN working in the OB floor; however, she was only assigned clerical duties. At another hospital, there was an LPN working on the med-surg floor.

[meaganh22]

I am an LVN working on a medsurg/tele floor. I do everything a bedside RN does except Initial assessments, start blood, and other very specific things my hospital doesn't want an LVN to do. I have 5-6 patients on my own.

[Jenna Thornton]

On ‎01‎/‎23‎/‎2020 at 6:22 PM, Snatchedwig said:

I did as a LPN.

First job was at a rehab that specializes in long term ventilator stay patients. Fulltime pulmonary nurse till I went to my other job.

Second job at a LTACH (long term acute care hospital) which is what I do now as a RN. My capacity as a LPN was I had my own patient load. These patients are sicker than sick. Multiple organ failure, emergent dialysis, sepsis, monitoring hemodynamics, etc. Only thing I didnt do as a LPN was admissions and be the initiator of a blood transfusion. After the initial connection I would be the one monitoring.

What type of support was provided to you when you entered your new role?

Hello All,

What type of support was provided to you when you entered your new role?

[HazelLPN, LPN]

On ‎1‎/‎29‎/‎2020 at 9:24 PM, Mr.Lollercoastr said:

During my clinicals, there was an LPN working in the OB floor; however, she was only assigned clerical duties. At another hospital, there was an LPN working on the med-surg floor.

What an insult to the LPN used as a unit clerk. I hope she received LPN pay.

[Guest757854]

10 hours ago, HazelLPN said:

What an insult to the LPN used as a unit clerk. I hope she received LPN pay.

I agree. Furthermore, what Idon't understand is why the LPN stayed......

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

LPNs phased out in Philadelphia area hospitals within the last 10 years..... role I started back in 1977. Was hospital charge night shift: 1 LPN, 2 Aides for 26 patients; impossible today as inpatients acute illness would have been in ICU when I started. Support: Orientation same as RN's along with periodic inservices. Health System does support futher nursing degrees, provides $5,000 in tuition paid directly to college.

[Mr.Lollercoastr, CNA, LPN]

18 hours ago, HazelLPN said:

What an insult to the LPN used as a unit clerk. I hope she received LPN pay.

The funny thing is, hospitals here pay LPNs around 16-18/hr, LOL. ?

[shiftingtides]

I work in a float pool at a hospital, mainly on PCU and med-surg. My duties are what the prior nurse on here said (everything but a few, very specific things like starting blood), and my support/training was what every nurse here gets, 6-12 weeks of orientation plus a new grad residency program.

[currikao, LVN]

Yes. I work at a rural hospital on the floor/ ER. Lvn’s here do nearly everything RNs do. We can’t hang blood and the RNs do admission assessments. They usually do all transfer related things too.