crazy lucy

Oh you are very, very correct. The sad thing is...they are just trying to get Magnet status - so I guess the first thing is to get rid of the LPNs.

Well all my fellow LPNs/LVNs, I originally started this thread. I am sorry to say that I was notified last week that all the LPNs in the hospital will now have NCA duties. They basically told us we will not be able to work as nurses anymore. Our hospital requires that ALL NURSES (RN/LPN) where all navy, or white or navy/white scrubs. I asked will we have to wear ceil blue (which I really like that color better than navy/white) like NCAs? She replied, no you may continue to wear the navy/white. I started to say we should wear brown since we are treated like CRAP! But that is for another day. She told me that our pay would not be cut however, there was not guarantee that we would be able to stay on the same unit. I can't imagine that, because our staffing grid always lumps us with NCAs anyway. All of this to say that we don't even have MAGNET status yet. They are just preparing for it. First off, I can imagine how the NCAs are going to feel. We will be doing the same thing that they do for much more money. They are going to be mad. Second of all, we don't have enough RNs to cover the type of grid they want - 4 patients to one RN but 1 tech to 2 RNs the tech gets 8 patients. Not any better for techs, they still get short changed. The budget? Well forget that... we have RNs that will work 5 12 hour shifts each week...think of the overtime on that! Have they thought about what this does to us LPN's? They tell me I'm not allowed to be a nurse in their hospital after 8 years....I have never complained (much) when I have been flip/flopped between roles of nurse and tech in the same day. I am back in school about to enter the program for RN and have done all they have asked me to do and this is the thanks I get. Not to mention my friend who just graduated the bridge program LPN bridge to RN - they tried to give her new grad pay! 6 years experience on the floor. I made me crying mad. My manager had nerve enough to say "gee you will always be a nurse" don't cry, it isn't worth it. I worked hard to become an LPN - 18 months worth of grueling clinicals, test etc. LPN school taught me how to be a NURSE. I touch my patients with my hands....not write about them on paper! Supposedly nothing is written in stone yet. Will keep all updated. I guess the morale of this story is....If you hear the word Magnet in your hospital you better hope they are talking about the MRI machine! Sincerely, Crazy Lucy

Anyone from Georgia? What do you make in hospital, and in nursing home. I work in hospital - 2 years exp and make base rate 15.76 plus shift diff 3-11 which is 2.25 more per hour. I didn't see anyone from Georgia. Lucy

Hi! For all of those who work in the hospital, how are you set up? I work on a medical/dialysis floor. 1. Are you allowed to have your own patients? How many patients can you have partnered? 2. If you are paired with an RN - what duties do you do and what does the RN do? 3. Are you allowed to do the assessment on the patient? Does the RN sign off on it? 4. How does your day go? 5. What state do you work in? I'm in Georgia. Our hospital is working on defining the roles for LPNs. I'm excited that I get to help with it and have a say. Thanks, Lucy

Yes, our hospital has a dedicated IV team. They start all IV's (except sometimes in the ER - but there is a person assigned to that area). They also are allowed to DC most picc lines. They are the only ones allowed to change the dressings on the picc lines and central lines. Almost always they are johnny on the spot, however, there are times they are not and we have to repeatedly page them. Hope this helps. Lucy, LPN

Hello to all, I'm on a mission. The health care system I work for in Georgia does not have defined roles for LPNs. Georgia state also does not have a Scope of Practice, per se, you go by your hospital's rules, pretty much. Which means, we are lumped together with NCAs on the staffing grid. We can team lead partnered with an NCA with up to 6 patients or we can have 3 to 4 patients by ourselves. The charge RN must co-sign all assessments and care plans. We can do all the things an RN does except - hang k-runs, push IV cardiac meds, hang blood (however we can witness and monitor the patient while blood is going). Some days we come in and we are the vital sign, accu checker, ADLs , pass no meds person:angryfire Our hospital is seeking Magnet status and must have defined roles for LPNs. I'm extremely happy to be involved with helping to define the roles. I am on an information gathering mission. Here are some questions: 1. Who works in Georgia as LPNs, how are you set up? Do you have your own team? Do you always work as a nurse or do you get switched around from one day to the next? 2. Anybody in Georgia working at a magnet hospital? Do you have LPNs and are you being phased out? If your are being phased out, are you given the opportunity to go back to school? At who's expense? Does your hospital even hire LPNs? 3. Anybody in any other state work for a magnet hospital? How are your roles defined? Thanks for your efforts and time in helping me out. I'm trying to make a better workplace for my fellow LPNs. Thanks, Lucy:uhoh3:

Okay folks, I admit it. I'm full of questions today. Is anybody out there a LPN at a Magnet hospital? I work at Wellstar Cobb and they are trying to get magnet status. Does it make it better or worse for LPNs? How has it changed your hospital? Just interested, Lucy

Holy Poopers! I'm an LPN in Georgia at a hospital. I work 72 hours plus a pay period (bi-weekly) and my base rate is 15.30:madface:. I'm about to get a big 40 cent raise:lol2:. I would imagine that LTAC would make better, however, I love what I'm learning on the floor. So I guess I'll just keep working toward my RN online. Hey, Kudos!!! to those how are making really good! Stay proud! Lucy

I agree with what ERTraumaJunkie says! I got a license and I'm not afraid to use it! I worked too hard for it to be slapped down. I work in a hospital. I work on a really good floor with really good support from the RNs. We are usually partnered together and work as a team. Sometimes I take a patient load of 6 with a NCA or maybe I have 3 to 4 pts by myself. Either way, they are mostly helpful (there are always bad apples in a pile sometimes) and allow me to work in my scope of practice. They always pull me to see interesting stuff and to learn new stuff. I love my job and I will always believe that the rough times in clinical better prepared me for bedside healthcare than if I had went to RN school. I would never trade the experience or training I got from my LPN clinicals. I think LPNs are better prepared than RNs. The are so stuck on "theory" and lots of times don't get their hands dirty during clinicals. Anyway, that is my opinion and I'm sticking to it! Crazy Lucy!

Hi Folks, I'm new to this site. I have a questions for all you LPNs who work in a hospital. I have been a LPN for 2 years in Georgia. I am a staff nurse on a renal/tele floor. I have a question for other Georgia or out of state people. What is your role on the floor? At the hospital I'm at, one day I could be a nurse with 3 but no more than 4 patients by myself. When this happens - I do everything - assessments (which the Charge RN signs off on) pass all meds (except IV cardiac or BP meds)- vitals- baths etc. I could have up to 6 patients with a NCA. Some days I could come in and be partnered with an RN and depending on the RN - I might be a nurse that day by passing meds - vitals - baths (no assessing pts) or a NCA. How do other hospitals work? Just curious and checking my options. Any input would be appricated. Sincerely, Crazy Lucy:lol2: