Med Aides - threat to LPN job security?

[catlvr]

Hi, I'm contemplating a move to Cleveland from Philadelphia. I've been an LPN for a year, and work in a SNF, floating between the long term care floor and the short term rehab floor. I make $23/hour, and that is pretty standard in this area; LPNs are in demand.

My concern is that if I move to CLE, get a job, and am then laid off due to med aides. Since I don't have a lot of experience, I imagine that I would be among the first to be let go. I know that the med aides cannot do all that an LPN does, but it seems to me that there will be a decreased need for us.

What do you think? Thanks, e

[RN Power Ohio]

This is a great topic for discussion. It is my understanding that the med aide program is not being widely used (in the Cleveland area). I would like to know more from nurses around the state because this is a very serious practice issue for RN's and LPN's.

Even seemingly benign drugs need to be monitored and administered by a person who is aware of the way the drug acts and have information about the patient relevant to drug administration.

One example is when a resident is scheduled for a procedure and some drugs may need to be discontinued. If the person administering the ASA for example is unaware of the potential for bleeding complications they may not catch the fact that the drug should be stopped.

[catlvr]

I agree 100%. The issue of patient safety seems to go to the wayside with med aidse; while I am sure that a med aide will not intentionally harm a patient any more than I would, the fact is that they do not have the education that licensed nurses have and cannot act accordingly.

Selfishly, I really want to know what my job prospects will be like as an LPN if I move to Ohio! I intend to puruse a bridge program, but until then, it is nice to eat *smile*.

Thanks, e

[crystallen31]

i am a med aid in ohio i have been doing it since the beginning of the pilot program state has passed it and in march of 09 it will be implemented in other ltc. You still need lpns on the floor like the facility i am at we do not do accuchecks (nurses choice) We do not give blood thinners because we do not read the labs. We do not give prn because the nurse still has to do the assesment on the resident. I was also talking to a docter about this and he feels it is a great idea because that way the nurses are able to do nursing things instead of passing meds for 4 hrs out of an 8 hr shift. We are responsible for our own med errors it does not go on the nurses record. I am also going to school for nursing. So if you have any questions i will be more then happy to answer them.