kiminga

LPN vs RN

The PN school I attended we started IV's , inserted NG tubes, hung IV bags and piggybacks, passed meds, and did care plans for ea pt we had. As an LPN in GA the only things I can not do is spike a bag of blood, I can monitor it , DC it and flush afterwards, I can not push cardiac drugs or insulin, other wise if it needs to be hung I can hang it. I can draw labs from central lines and flush them, I can access PICC lines , set up a PCA pump, I can take off orders , call the MD ,I don't do admissions, but there are more things I can do as an LPN then I can't do. I love being a nurse . I guess it all depends on the state you are working in.

I have been working in a prison for 2 years. The type of care is chronic / pallative. There is a lot of emergency trauma care. Imates with self inflicted wounds from minor cuts that can be steri stripped to wounds needing sutures . They will cut themselves any where including their genitals . Fights are another way inmates get injuries from minor to severe to death. They will cuss at you threaten you show you there member. Manipulation is a fine honed skill in prison . You must be thick skined with strong nerves and a good poker face because if they know they can get to you they will every chance they get.