MAGNET STATUS - LPNs - defined roles

[crazy lucy]

Hello to all,

I'm on a mission. The health care system I work for in Georgia does not have defined roles for LPNs. Georgia state also does not have a Scope of Practice, per se, you go by your hospital's rules, pretty much. Which means, we are lumped together with NCAs on the staffing grid. We can team lead partnered with an NCA with up to 6 patients or we can have 3 to 4 patients by ourselves. The charge RN must co-sign all assessments and care plans. We can do all the things an RN does except - hang k-runs, push IV cardiac meds, hang blood (however we can witness and monitor the patient while blood is going). Some days we come in and we are the vital sign, accu checker, ADLs , pass no meds person:angryfire

Our hospital is seeking Magnet status and must have defined roles for LPNs. I'm extremely happy to be involved with helping to define the roles. I am on an information gathering mission. Here are some questions:

1. Who works in Georgia as LPNs, how are you set up? Do you have your own team? Do you always work as a nurse or do you get switched around from one day to the next?

2. Anybody in Georgia working at a magnet hospital? Do you have LPNs and are you being phased out? If your are being phased out, are you given the opportunity to go back to school? At who's expense? Does your hospital even hire LPNs?

3. Anybody in any other state work for a magnet hospital? How are your roles defined?

Thanks for your efforts and time in helping me out. I'm trying to make a better workplace for my fellow LPNs.

Thanks,

Lucy:uhoh3:

[kstec, LPN]

I only wish that the hospitals around here would let us LPN's do the list above, but actually we aren't even allowed in the hospitals and we have three of them. With the constant rejection it almost makes me want to go back and get my RN, but because I'm one who doesn't let society dictate what I have to do, I'll stay a LPN for now and maybe forever. I don't want the added responsibility of being an RN. I just want to assist the RN, not be a RN. Until everyone can figure what we as LPN's can and can't do and do it across the board, then we will continue to be in limbo and have no place except LTC. Every state has different rules and every hospital has different rules and between the two they can't figure out where to put us, so they just boot us to the curb, atleast here in Illinois. Oh well, enough of being on my soapbox, I'll just continue to work my prn clinic and agency jobs and wait until they decide to go all RN. Until then I'm thankful for everyday that I get to interact and attempt to make a difference in my patients lives.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I only wish that the hospitals around here would let us LPN's do the list above, but actually we aren't even allowed in the hospitals and we have three of them. With the constant rejection it almost makes me want to go back and get my RN, but because I'm one who doesn't let society dictate what I have to do, I'll stay a LPN for now and maybe forever. I don't want the added responsibility of being an RN. I just want to assist the RN, not be a RN. Until everyone can figure what we as LPN's can and can't do and do it across the board, then we will continue to be in limbo and have no place except LTC. Every state has different rules and every hospital has different rules and between the two they can't figure out where to put us, so they just boot us to the curb, atleast here in Illinois. Oh well, enough of being on my soapbox, I'll just continue to work my prn clinic and agency jobs and wait until they decide to go all RN. Until then I'm thankful for everyday that I get to interact and attempt to make a difference in my patients lives.

I have been the same way; I don't want anyone to dictate to me what my value and contribution is to life or nursing. I did have a moment where I said that I would attempt to go back for the RN, and interestingly enough, one of my closet friends, who is an RN asked me "Is this what you really want?" and my answer was "no". I don't see much to desire being an RN...I really don't. Those responsibilities are a complete pain in the rear to me, and my only interest is really basic nursing. I would actually be unhappy becoming an RN because I would have felt forced to. And, truthfully, I don't see any of them being any happier or content. I am actually thinking of going to school for something else. If in case, the walls really narrow down for me in my area (and at this time, it does not seem to be that way, yet), I would like to have another field to go into. But, RN...no way.

[Lucid Vital Nurse, BSN, RN]

I think that it's sad how LPN's/LVN's are treated...more so in some states than others. I have had my fair share of people regard me as being other than a NURSE because I'm not an RN and put me down, especially a couple RN's...But that makes me try harder and push harder to prove those people wrong; and one day I did. I was dealing with a inmate/patient having a seizure...and while I was doing everything (starting an IV and running fluids, protecting his airway, taking vitals/Neuro Checks) and the RN was sitting at the desk waiting about 15 minutes for the doctor to call and one officer stated " I haven't seen that **** nurse [RN] do anything while that other nurse is taking care of the patient!" I have had other RN's go completely off of my assessment of a patient in the clinics and not write anything down before I would call the doc and have the patient sent out Code III to a hospital. But, most of all, my patient is my main concern...everything else is secondary at that point. That is why I became a nurse, to help and protect my patients and do what's best for them....Not to worry about what nurses with higher licensure do or think. Don't get me wrong, I have worked along side some lazy LVN's and I do love RN's...I have had the pleasure of working with great ones who have gone above and beyond to teach me things and allow me to do RN functions and are excellent Nurses. I am taking courses myself to become an RN. But I have had RN's treat me poorly because I am "an LVN", but not quite a nurse; or as one RN put it "an overpaid Nurses' Aide". Well, I am a very good NURSE. I have experience in: ER, Med-Surg, Oncology, Telemetry, Mental Health, LTC/Convalescent Hospital, DOU, Critical Care, Corrections, Clinics, TB Ward. I started as a CNA then RNA then Monitor Tech then Unit Secretary then LVN with multiple cert's and eventually an RN.....because of God's Grace and because I pushed myself, especially when i was put down...LVN's do a lot of work..more than we get credit or paid for...and sometimes we as LVN's let the negativity get to us, but just keep being the best nurses you can be, try harder and know that you make a difference! Don't let it discourage you though. Although it I think every RN should have been a CNA and LVN first to see what it's like in our shoes...We do have a hard job. This isn't meant to be negative, so please don't take offense! I'm not RN bashing by any means!..Just trying to show a point to LVN's/LPN's....................God Bless! (Or whatever you believe in).

[Lucid Vital Nurse, BSN, RN]

Yes, the LVN's there are still performing these functions. I left because I got a job as a Contract Nurse with an agency working for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation making $34.00/hour, with lots of overtime and double time. Plus I knew it would be an excellent learning opportunity, which I have learned a great deal.:monkeydance:

[Lorie P.]

this is the link to the gbon that states what a lpn is allowed to do in the state of ga.

also each facility in ga has it's own policies and procedures that specificly outlines the role of lpn for that facility.

just because one facility says an lpn can access picc lines, iv meds, doesn't mean it can be done at another facility.

i think it is great what you are doing for lpn's. just remember the above.

http://sos.georgia.gov/acrobat/plb/laws/13_lpn_43-26-30_to_43.pdf

[C Cam RNA]

I just spent an hour typing a huge response to this thread that I just happened upon during a google search, then accidentally hit the backspace button and here we are. Ill be brief this time. I am an RN, BSN who formerly worked at twice consecutively awarded Magnet Status Hospital.

ATTENTIONS RNs: You are not the LPNs boss. You are not more knowledgeable than the LPN. You are not more of a nurse than the LPN. You are not more important than the LPN. You get paid more than the LPN....that is it. Get over yourselves.

ATTENTION LPNs: You are undervalued. You are undermarketed. You are often overlooked. You are misunderstood. You are not a glorified tech (like I really needed to tell you that, huh?) You are as much of a nurse as any level RN (DUH).

POINT: Nurses are nurses, no matter if there are 3 letters after our name or 2. PERIOD.

Oh, and "indiscriminately" ridding hospitals or LPNs is so much the stupidest idea Ive ever heard that Im laughing as I type it right now. Would love to expand on the topic (like my original post) but dont have the time...

Catch ya later,

C-Cam RN

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I just spent an hour typing a huge response to this thread that I just happened upon during a google search, then accidentally hit the backspace button and here we are. Ill be brief this time. I am an RN, BSN who formerly worked at twice consecutively awarded Magnet Status Hospital.

ATTENTIONS RNs: You are not the LPNs boss. You are not more knowledgeable than the LPN. You are not more of a nurse than the LPN. You are not more important than the LPN. You get paid more than the LPN....that is it. Get over yourselves.

ATTENTION LPNs: You are undervalued. You are undermarketed. You are often overlooked. You are misunderstood. You are not a glorified tech (like I really needed to tell you that, huh?) You are as much of a nurse as any level RN (DUH).

POINT: Nurses are nurses, no matter if there are 3 letters after our name or 2. PERIOD.

Oh, and "indiscriminately" ridding hospitals or LPNs is so much the stupidest idea Ive ever heard that Im laughing as I type it right now. Would love to expand on the topic (like my original post) but dont have the time...

Catch ya later,

C-Cam RN

Thank you so much for your advocacy of LPNs!:redpinkhe:up:

[DogWmn]

op, i wish you the very best of luck with the ga lpn bon...i'm currently having my own war with them at this time you can search my posts in the ga forum.

i will support you in your endevor and will tell you to get your state representatives and state senators involved. the ga lpn bon is very very obstructionist and even communicating with them is a nightmare.

1st, when you call the secretary of state's office you get the "call center" and are only allowed to talk with someone from the call center - not bon staff who might have a modicum of knowledge about any questions you might have. you are put on hold and they then contact a staff person then relay the question and then they regurgitate it back to you.

2nd, there is no direct phone number to either the lpn or rn bon nor is there an email address that you can write them and ask for clarification on a subject.

3rd, dealing with anyone from the lpn bon is difficult at best. getting info about licensure takes months. nurses are giving up and leaving ga for more accomodating states.

4th, according to my state rep, both bon's are under pressure from the state reps and senators to change their way of doing business and their antiquated practices and guidelines - so op if you are really interested in change for the lpn bon - start with your state representative and state senator requesting legislation - the bon hate's that.

on a side note the ga secretary of state, karen handle just resigned to run for governor next year and who knows who will replace her - so strike while the iron is hot.

on a different note, the policy of running lpn/lvn's out of the hospital environment is nation wide. i hope one day they will wake up and see that we can be a part of a team and have a lot to offer and their current policies are not cost effective nor in the long run is it beneficial to the quality of patient care.

many of the young rn's today have never worked in a hospital environment with lpn's so have no idea what it's like to work with an educated licensed professional staff. in the 70's and 80's when i worked in the hospital environment rn's and lpn's worked as a team we had no cna's and the quality of care the patients got was outstanding. who ever cooked up the idea that we as lpn's weren't suited and got rid of us should read the numerous threads of the rn's who feel overwhelmed by their assignments and are burning out. bring us back into the hospital environment we are excellent nurses and cost effective.

i for one have no plans on getting my rn, i'm 59 and have no desire to return to school for other than getting and maintaining advanced certifications.

op i hope you keep us informed of your progress.

[doublezero]

btw..what and how do you define "magnet status",,a lot of us here really don't understand this words.

[5flibh]

The hospitl I am working for is applying for magnte status and I think I will Probably be out of a job, but that is their loss.

[5flibh]

I do not know what you mean

[SWard95]

Any LPN who supports ANA Magnet Certification is Nuts,

If you are a LPN, the ANA Magnet Certification does not even recognize the existence of your LPN license. Magnet certification strictly promotes "Registered Nurses", it is their chartered mission. If you doubt what I say, log onto http://www.nursecredentialing.org/Magnet.aspx and search for "LPN". You will see that the ANA only views you as a statistic, rather than a nurse.

The ANA has been lobbying legislators to "phase out" LPNs ever since states began licensing practical nurses in WWII. Just as the ANA arose in the late 1800's, with RN's working along with physicians in Hospitals, the Practical Nurse arose in convalescent settings. When many RN's returned from WWII and found LPNs working in their former positions, they were not very happy. Rather than promote continuing education, advancement, and a career in Nursing...the ANA metaphorically told the LPN's to F-Off and get the Hell out.

Because the ANA cannot "Phase out" LPNs do to Right-to-Work and other Labor Law precedent, the Magnet Certification is a dandy way to strong arm Hospital administrators to either eliminate LPNs in hospitals via attrition or downright termination without cause. This is happening in every Magnet Certification Hospital today.

To make matters worse, now the ANA is invading long term care facilities to eliminate LPNs. And this must be stopped. If you are a LPN, work in a long term care facility, or whatever the case...watch out. Don't be fooled by this ANA gang or their elitist "Magnet Certification", like a charming snake, this gang will fool you, trick you, and bight you (fire you).