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.
