dixeechicken

I am an LVN that works in an ER in central California. I do everything except iv meds and dealing with central lines/PICC lines. I can start ivs, hang fluids and blood, etc. I basically run the fast track area. I really think is varies state to state.

I'm so glad to see this post. I work in a fairly busy ER as and LVN. I had the benefit of having worked in this department as an aide while in school so I alredy knew the RNs I was being precepted by. I can tell you it would have been a vastly different experience had I not known them. Having said that, I think a lot of it goes back to how we treat students as well. I get students here all the time and I make the effort to always treat them with respect. I remember how hard it was to be a student and have the RNs not want to teach me. I try to set an example and spend the time with them... I mean how are they really going to learn if nobody helps them? Anyway, I guess my point is we really should just be nice in general because someday that may be you needing the help. :0)

I'm also and ER LVN managing the fast track dept. I'm only allowed a pt load of 4 however. I'm at 18.97/hr - i work 4 12s a week and gross about 49,000 (because of the extra shift each week).

Our entire hospital goes on lockdown when we get a pt that is victim of a violent crime (GSW, stab, etc). At that time nobody, including staff is allowed in or out of the hospital and every department/floor has their doors closed until the lockdown is lifted. Our policy was implemented because we had a shooting in our parking lot that was on the premises as retaliation for a patient that had just arrived with a GSW. One of our nurses happened to be in the parking lot when the shooting started and was quite lucky to have made it back inside. Security is posted at all the doors until the lockdown is lifted.

It's q2 (not just a simple note but vitals) in our ER as well. It's actually saved my rear a few times when a family member complained to my boss that nobody had talked to them or come near them for "over 4 hours". In reality they were there exactly 2 hours from the time they walked in to the time they left without being seen and I had charted 3 times in that 2 hours. I chart at least every 2 hours and if I go into the room in between that time I chart if there is any change in patient status.

This is far more true than it needs to be. We have a fairly HUGE population of frequent fliers and not only will saying their names out loud guarantee a visit that night from them but I'm convinced they have some sort of phone tree that they use when a certain doctor is on duty (one that is a bit more liberal with pain meds).

I don't know how other ER nurses will feel about this but for me personally.... I had an instructor that always told me to make sure I knew what I didn't know. In other words... be humble. Don't be afraid to admit that you don't know something or that you need help with stuff. In the ER (as well as other departments) you can't be cocky. It's ok to be confident but cocky will kill someone. Of course this is just my own opinion and you may take it however you wish. Good luck to you. I personally love ER and can't really see myself anywhere else at the moment.

Mine was Levaquin.... i had help from an overzealous aide on the floor that was helping me move a patient from ER gurney to hospital bed. Sticky and stinky!

I totally agree with those that have said not to let others get you down because you are an LPN/LVN. I have a bad habit of saying "I know I'm just and LVN" and the RNs I work with get upset with me because I'm not JUST and LVN. I'm a part of the team, sure I can't push IV medications but I'm just as valuable as they are when it comes to patient care. I am just as capable of taking good, appropriate care of my patients. There's nothing wrong with being an LVN, but if you want to be an RN some day then go for it!

I'm an LVN/LPN currently working in the ER of a hospital in California. For me becoming an LVN was merely a stepping stone on my way to being an RN. Do I think that the nursing shortage will create more spots for LVNs? No I don't. In the hospital where I work the ER is the only department currently using LVNs. A nearby hospital just recently laid off 9 LVNs that had all worked there for 10+years. In this area at least the push is for all RNs and even BSNs. Around here you have to be willing to work in the SNFs to be an LVN because the acute care jobs are difficult to come by. I could be wrong but that's what I see here.

I'm in Central California and I work as an LVN in an ER. I'm able to do everything except push IV meds and deal with central/PICC lines. I start IV's, I give PO/IM/SQ meds and I'm able to do all other patient care. Our department is the only one in the hospital that employs LVN's.