Weebee

I AGREE 100%, I noticed that when I was given a question I didnt know the answer to, I was given a similar question later in the test which actually helped me to realize that my 2nd choice was the right answer (do to the fact that my 1st answer was now removed from the 2nd question)

When I took my test it cut off at 89 questions... I felt that I didn't pass as when I got home I reviewed questions I had answered and found incorrect. Point is... 2 month later I got a card with the title LVN on it in my name. I dont think anyone has come out of testing knowing for sure they passed. Its been 5 years since I took my test and I look back on it today and realize a lot of my anxiety of me failing was the programming my instructors gave me when in school telling me it would be the hardest test I would ever take. Now I just laugh at how I let anxiety take control of me for 2 months while I waited out the results.

Im sure its company policy, I have worked in California for 5 years and never needed a RN to co sign however, It was understood there are orders I could not take over the phone, for example DNR and Restraint orders but again, was company policy. HOWEVER, the post just above this one states otherwise... hummmmm

Within 70 miles of my home town, there are 6 hospitals, None hire LVN's now, Im forced into Home Health for work

$23 is good money for a LVN I have 5 years xp as a LVN and have never made more than $19. Truth is, if you look at your medical benifit costs, you will pay over $5,000 per year for insurance, (to change the subject). I question why anyone would pay that much for something they never use. On top of the $5k, you have a 1-2k deductable and co pays. If the doctor charges you $100 per visit you would have to go to the doctor 50+ times in one year just to break even. Pay cash, its much cheaper. File bankruptcy should you need more than $5k per year in medical

LOL, I had to appeal my unemployment denial as well (which I won) by addressing the laws that govern nursing and the fact that I did not walk off the job as my employer claimed. Which just showed me, I made the right decision.

After the interview, I call them within 24 hours, If they tell me to get them a few days thats all I give them (2-3 days) This continues until one of two things happens.... either they tell me to go away or they hire me. This has worked for every job I have ever wanted, meaning If I want the job bad enough ill bug the hell out of you till you tell me to shove off or come to work. I feel this works because it shows that you want the job, your willing to start today and you want it more than the guy who isnt calling. There is much more to this, for example in the interview I tell them why I want to work for them, and why this is the "only place I've applied" type of statement. Then Back it up with phone calls that show how eager I am to work for them.

Welcome to the Club, Im now a out of work lvn for refusing my assignment, but even so, you cant tell me I did the wrong thing... The way I look at it is, if they want to place me in an unsafe environment then that is a place I don't want to work at.

I've been told that in California you must use the higher of the two, but this was related to CNA to LVN

No kidding ? is California one of those states ?

If you ask me, the LVN should be use much like a CNA is used... as a HELP to the RN .... LVN's should not be assigned any one or five patients... they should assist the RN's on the floor ... The problem here is the LVN would need to be given the report on the entire floor (I took a nursing report as a CNA for the entire floor as I wanted to know which were the more critical patients, total care, feeders, etc). I would go as far as saying here that a LVN should replace EMT's and CNA's in the ER and Med Surg floor... as they can do more to help the RN than either the EMT or CNA... but again should not directly be assigned any patient. I honestly believe this is how a LVN should be utilized in a acute setting and it is a win win for the RN. One problem i do see, is the LVN will no longer be held to the higher standard than a CNA in the eyes of a RN... another words we will be look at far more inferior to a RN than we currently are. Some of us Nurses can be down right ugly to the CNA's.

DITTO I need a new hospital

My hospital also worked this way... until they got sued by a RN claiming when the LVN took care of her husband the LVN did most of the documentation thus showing she was the Primary Nurse as all the RN did was the assessment and IV meds. Supposedly the ratio laws state the RN can only be responsible for no more than 5 patients on a non tele med/surg floor. (If anyone can direct me to that that would be great). Based on that law... our management made a change and forced the LVN and RN team to take on 8 tele or 10 non tele patients depending on how the assignment was played out. This of course as I stated before now doubled the work load of the LVN and although cut a lot of work out for the RN, forced them to do all the charting and be responsible for all patients. This has gotten so overwhelming for both RN and LVN, that the hospital has lost half of its nursing staff since Aug 2010. Again... it got so bad.. im not sure I want to go back into nursing. (im currently unemployed)

Anyone know where to find this "law" showing it illegal for a RN to "Team" with a LVN as the RN will be responsible for more than the number of patients assigned to each floor... example Med/Surg 1 nurse to 5 patients.

Well do your general assessment (HR, O2, RR, BP, Glucose) check whites of the eyes for blue tint, Lips, Nail beds Capillary refill.. ABG's take too long..... think about it... you have to order the stat ABG... they have to draw it... it take several minutes for the results... you just gave up 15 mins of this persons life to find out from the ABG... yup he is in respiratory distress I now have proof.... Remember ABC's Airway first, not ABG first...... Testing confirms care your giving is correct or Identifies areas that need to be changed... a ABG wont help the patient get more air or Narcan ... the ABG only helps to Identify the problem ... If the eyes are closed and wont open Sternum rubs baby... that's my thing if that dont wake them up... increase the O2 and call for an Emergency response team... if your hospital has it... if not check with Tele unit (if on tele) for changes, get the charge nurse to double check your findings and if all else fails... CALL THE CODE .... ERROR on the Side of Keeping the patient alive... I would rather be a fool with a live patient.. than an Idiot with a dead one. Keep them alive till 7:45.... (shift change) .... thats my motto