LVN ICU/ER jobs?

[b.barnes5]

Hello everybody. I'm new to this forum and I'm not sure if I'm posting in the right place. Anyway, I recently finished my LVN program and I'm awaiting my NCLEX. I am going back to school to pursue my RN ASAP. I was wondering if any hospitals in LA area hire LVNS in their ER's/ICU's? I've been an EMT for 3 years and have also done Critical care transports with doctors/nurses ect. I would love to get a job doing what I like while going to school vs a SNF or clinic. Thanks for reading!

[BostonFNP, APRN]

This may vary greatly on your area but it seems the national trend is that major hospitals, and especially ED and critical care units, are only considering BSN new grads for positions.

I would venture to say that your odds are slightly increased the more rural the tertiary care location. Your EMT work may give you a leg up, but until you finish your BSN, it may be rough going looking for hospital and acute care work.

Best of luck.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

moved for improved response.

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

I completed my LVN training in the greater Los Angeles area. While some of the acute care hospitals in that area still did utilize LVNs, I saw absolutely none in the ICU or ED/ER.

California's LVN scope of practice is so restrictive that you would not be able to push any drugs or access any central lines, which would be very problematic for an LVN working in ICU, trauma, or the ED.

I saw LVNs working on floors such as med/surg, same-day surgery, sub-acute rehab, and oncology. They were also being used on specialized units such as the OR and given the title of scrub techs.

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

As a LPN, I suppose this is a kind of an odd sentiment, but I really don't think that LPNs *should* act as the primary nurse for a group of pts in acute care. I think the LPN role in acute care falls under the team nursing model. The LPN would perform certain "tasky" stuff under the RN like PO meds, insulin, dressings, vitals, caths, routine, ongoing assessmnets, etc. This frees the RN for case management, care planning, initial and complex assessments, team leading. Having a LPN act as the "main" nurse in these environment muddies the waters too much.

Sadly, most hospitals have abandoned team nursing. So, in most parts of the country, if you *do* get a job in the ER or ICU (or even med surg) as a LPN, they will likely hire you as a tech. And, frankly, a LPN who works as a tech is just wasting his time..... he could have been a tech without ever having bothered to get a license.

[b.barnes5]

Thank you guys for responding. I kinda figured it would be rare. I ask the RNs from time to time while dropping of pts off from time to time. I just thought that giving I have more experience then the average LVN new grad I could find something where I could learn a lot more then a SNF or clinic. I was considering getting my phlebotomy working as an ER, but that kinda defeats the purpose of LVN school haha.

Thanks again!

[BrandonLPN, LPN]

Don't discount what you can learn in skilled nursing. For one thing, the acuity level is rising fast for these facilities. Also, being a nurse isn't about how many ICU skills you can notch in your belt. Try being able to catch the resident going septic or into CHF exacerbation during a 40 person med pass. And doing so without the army of doctors and lab tech support and 20 different monitoring gadgets that ICU nurses have at their beck and call. THAT'S what being a LTC nurse is all about.