Please share roles

BoredLPN · Apr 13, 2007

I just started into this field...4 weeks. Just got done with "clinicals" and classroom work. I am in a Chronic Unit of 48 stations. Ratios are 1:3 or when their short it goes to 1:4. I noticed 80% of them are "techs". They are resposible for set up/tear down, testing, pre/post assessments, sticking and removing of needles, (except caths) giving NS/Heparin and starting the dialysis. They have maybe 5% LPNs who typcially do the same as the "techs" except they access caths and give IV/injection meds but if we are bussy, which 100% of the time we are, the RNs will go around giving meds.

15% of them are RNs which are "team leaders" Its a very very busy clinic. It appears that they all care about doing is how much patients they can, crunch in to get $$$.. 4 turnovers from 6am to midnight. Its like a factory, assembly line type of work. I see a lot of short cuts and for "techs" doing that??!!! I be kind of weary to send a love one there. Since I am new I just do what is best for me and the patient. Plus they say "we are under the supervision of an RN". Is this the norm in this field? I really like this field but just the set up gets me nervous. I won't be in chronic to long...the manager is shipping me out to acutes...