LVNs in the ICU

[TexRN08]

Our director of nursing spoke with us the other day about the hospitals plans to start hiring LVNs to replace the CNA's and techs in our ICU. The reason being is they are planning on turning over care of our ICU patients who are stable and awaiting transport to the floor over to LVNs, allowing the RNs to maintain true ICU patient assignments. While this makes sense we were discussing today whether or not the RN still remains legally liable for that patients care after the LVN assumes care of that patient. I know that this probably varies from state to state, but I'm just interested in anyone whose facilities have implemented a similar plan and how it seems to work for them. Personally I think it sounds like a great idea, but other nurses in the unit are pretty skeptical about how it will all work out. Thoughts?

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

I have tremendous respect for LPNs but I don't believe they should work in the hospital setting. It is not about "doing the same tasks as an RN." It is about responsibility.

Really? Wow. There is no reason LVNs can't work is med/surg, pedi or tele floors in a hospital. Give me one *good* reason why they shouldn't.

[SquishyRN, BSN, RN]

Really? Wow. There is no reason LVNs can't work is med/surg, pedi or tele floors in a hospital. Give me one *good* reason why they shouldn't.

Quoted poster's reason is a pretty bad reason. One *good* reason though would be scope of practice, at least in an ICU. For example, in California, LVNs have a pretty limited scope of practice. LVNs cannot give medications intravenously, they can only give fluids without additives and blood products through peripheral lines. LVNs are not allowed to access central lines. Not being able to hang, push, or titrate IV meds would be a serious handicap in an ICU. This point would be irrelevant though in states with wider scopes of practice.

I worked in Med-Surg as an LVN though and it worked out fine. I don't see what point the other poster was trying to make about responsibility. If something happened to my patient, it was my responsibility. The N in LVN still stands for nurse after all.

[HazelLPN, LPN]

I honestly think that everything has been answered about LPNs working in critical care on these boards already!

[BlackMurse1]

I currently work in a Level I Trauma Tertiary Care facility on the Surgical ICU. We have 2 LPN's who work on the unit and they are a great help. After we complete the initial assessment, the LPN's pretty much take over. They are also a great help with admissions, especially post surgical (we get a lot of Liver txp).

When they don't have patients, (we only have 12 beds) they float around and help with other issues. At times when I have a two patient assignment and am stuck in a room, they are a great aide to lean on.

[Natasha A., CNA, LVN]

HI BlackMurse1 It's a breathe of fresh air reading your post. Your unit must have great teamwork :)