pap smears

suzanne4, RN · Jun 9, 2004

Do to this original poster's other thread, I think that you may have mis-interpreted what was said to you. You were probably told that you would be doing pap smears all day, this usually means assisiting the provider in doing them, such as the nurse practitioner, physician's assistant, or even a physician. Depending who they use for staffing that particular day. The patient is usually getting a pelvic exam done at the same time and that is definitely not in the scope of your practice to diagnose and treat, if needed.

I would definitely give the manager at the clinic a call.............. :balloons:

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 9, 2004

Your LPN scope sounds like I wish they had here, Brandy. When they float them up to us in busy times, (rarely), there is not a lot they can do but pass PO meds and do vital signs. They are VERY limited, like I said here. Seems to me, if memory serves right, they did more in Oklahoma than they can here where I work now.

BRANDY LPN · Jun 9, 2004

I almost moved up there Deb, went as far as getting a job at LTC and getting my license then remembered how cold it gets and backed out, this was several years ago, and now I am REALLY glad I didn't do it.

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 9, 2004

I would LOVE to work with you here, Brandy. You sound very knowledgeable.

Lateefa · Jun 9, 2004

AT PLANNED PARENTHOOD , SHE DID SAY THAT THEY WOULD BE TEACHING ME HOW TO DO PAP SMEARS. BUT SINCE SHE WAS NOT A NURSE BUT PART OF THE ADMINISTRATION MAYBE SHE MEANT CULTURES-EVEN THOUGH I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF LPNS IN MY STATE TAKING A CULTURE FROM THE lady parts. tHEY DID NOT TEACH US HOW TO TAKE A CULTURE FROM THAT PART OF THE BODY. IT WAS THE EYES AND THROAT.

SmilingBluEyes · Jun 9, 2004

Check your nurse practice act; you may NOT be covered to do these things. Be careful.

BRANDY LPN · Jun 10, 2004

She may have also meant "do" paps as in assist the provider, you should clarify this before accepting a position and if she actually meant do them yourself then check you practice act. What state are you in?

BRANDY LPN · Jun 10, 2004

I would LOVE to work with you here, Brandy. You sound very knowledgeable.

Ah shucks Deb, thanks. :imbar :)

suzanne4, RN · Jun 10, 2004

It would probably mean plating them for the provider. As in setting up the slides. Again, big difference. We can specualte all day here on what you were told, but best bet is to phone her and get clarification.

hypnotic_nurse · Jun 10, 2004

This reminded me of a wonderful experience.

I went with a medical group as a student nurse to a very poor area of Mexico, and one of the many things we did were pap smears. Because so many women wanted them, our MD trained all of us -- including the dental hygienist -- to do them. And she was SUCH a trouper -- only stated "I really expected to be working on the OTHER end!".

The people we worked with had so little but were so grateful; each of us was invited to a home (mostly hand built mud brick huts with dirt floors and no window glass) for a home cooked dinner the night before we left. It left me feeling incredibly gifted and rich to be living here.

hittme123 · Jun 10, 2004

MY thought was maybe it wasn't a pap but a culture or fern or something, all of which would be in our scope, but a lay person may not know the difference. Sorry if you are not a lay person but you never can tell.

what is ferning?

BRANDY LPN · Jun 10, 2004

ferning- When amniotic fluid dries it crystalizes into a very obvious fern pattern, so if we are unsure if a pts membranes have ruptured we take a small sample of fld then make a slide/smear and allow it to dry and look for these characteristic fern patterns under a microscope.