Need some perspective, please!!!

[hollya5334, LPN]

Okay, I have a question. I am an agency LPN and have just completed my second midnight shift at this certian nursing home in my area. The nursing home doesn't have a RN in the building on midnights:nono: . I am NOT IV-certified, and again, someone had an IV. I asked what I should do if the IV were to run out or clog or anything and they gave me the RNs phone number who was working day shift the next day, and told me to call her. Is this practice not illegal? I mean, I always thought there had to be an RN somewhere in the building. Should I tell my agency that I don't want to work there anymore? I mean, seriously, I feel like my license is on the line there, and frankly, I worked too damn hard for it!!! So, tell me what you guys think! Thanks so much!!

[weetziebat]

Boy, I don't even know if I should answer your question, as I really don't know. Think it depends on the state and, I believe, as long as there is an RN 'available' that covers them.

Hopefully, you'll get answers from folks who know what they are talking about, as that is only my guess.

Good luck!

[leslie :-D]

if this rn is officially on-call and ready to come in, then yes, that will be fine.

otherwise, 'someone' needs to be available.

some snfs utilize the iv pharmacy dept, who will send a nurse out.

is there anything in the p&p manual?

do not let the DON downplay your concerns.

you need to ask her specifics, about policy and procedure.

or have your agency call.

you have every right to expect your concerns to be addressed.

best of luck.

leslie

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

What Leslie said is the way it is in Florida too. LPNs can be on their own at night, but must have a resource who is an RN available.

[babynurselsa, RN]

That being said, from there I believe it would hinge on your comfort level.

If being on your own exceeds your comfort level then I would say let your agency know you would rather be placed somewhere else.

Another suggestion would be to look into taking an IV certification class.

[jetscreamer101]

In my LTC, an RN is generally scheduled at least 8 hours in a 24 hour period. LPN's can cover the rest of the time. But, if they are not IV certified by our contracted IV service, they can't do the IV's. Either an RN or IV certified LPN would have to come in and do it. All IV pushes, including heparin are done by an RN. We do have an RN oncall 24/7(DON). We only occas. have IV's, generally intermittant antibiotics. Agency nurses, whether RN or LPN, are not scheduled on the skilled/medicare unit at all.