LPNer

Until there is a group specific need, it would be difficult to define it. But one might think fo something akin to LPNs positions if it were decided to remove them from the acute care floors or benefits concerning continueing education. It really would be group specific so impossible to define here.

I don't remember anybody in this thread thinking that an LPN should be the same as an RN. As mentioned in your post, LPNs have two levels of IV certification. This is the type of certifications I am talking about. But it should not be limited to PIV and CIV. My own hospital does not add restrictions beyond what the BON restricts us to so I am very lucky in my position as an LPN. However, so many other hospitals have so many restrictions on LPNs that they do not even hire them anymore. What a waste of manpower. My thoughts are, if the state qualified LPNs for more through certifications, then certain hospitals would be more likely to hire LPNs. Pt acuity is higher than ever before and inexperienced LPNs should never enter the "units" and quite frankly, only select LPNs could ever be qualified to work there competantly. I do not want to make LPNs "like" RNs. We are a separate and proud class of nurses. We are qualified to work in med/surg, ortho, bariatrics, sub-acute care, hospices, etc. LPNs should be achnowledged for the training and abilities they do have and each individuals ability to build on that education to further his/her carreer with one quater or so classes that add to his/her resume proving competancy in certain areas, just as the IV certification does now.

I am not nearly as concerned about breaking the wafers by hand as I am counting them in front of the pt. This is, after all a Methadone Treatment Facility! I wouldn't want them to see any more than the one dose they are getting.

Oh, I see what you are saying now. I didnt susgest a separate bargaining unit, I asked her to find out how they are going to handle issues that pertain strictly to nurses. And that would be exactly what I would suggest to pharm techs, physical therapists, etc. How is this union prepared to address my groups specific needs. That is not the same thing as a separate bargaining unit. Do you understand unions?

I agree 100%! What I want to know is HOW? Everytime I suggest that LPNs be permitted to become certified in this or that, as in Colorado they have an advanced IV therepy permitting LPNs to work with CLines. This is what I am talking about, yet every time I mention it, I am attacked by RNs who insist that an LPN can not be an RN. I never suggested such. I never suggested challenging the NCLEX-RN or anything like that. I am simply asking nurses to stand together for the betterment of all nurses as well as pt care. It seems we want something that is not likely to happen with all the female back-biting, you can't have what I have or even a tiny part of it and I will take from you everything that I possibly can along the way attitude so prevelant among women. I wish I had the answer.

There has to be more to that guidline than stated here. Would you mind sharing your source with us?

Congratulations!

I'm watching it now. The movie is OK, How heroic of the folks who were really there. But now, it's just a movie, seen better, seen worse.

LPNs had a lot more carreer mobility when I became an LPN in the 70s. An LPN was the head nurse of the ER where I went to school. I was offered the charge nurse postiion in the ER of a small hospital in Ky in the early 80s. (I didn't want to work ER than or now.) I have been the charge nurse on a med/surg unit in a hospital. Yes, we did, at one time have a lot of carreer mobility with bascially the same scope of practice as we have now; minor changes have been made and THAT has taken our mobility away. LPNs at a lot of hospitals did not have "limited" IV responsiblitlies. We had the same IV responsibilities as our RN co-workers. The scope was changed and now I don't know the things I used to know! I am told that because I am onlyl an LPN I am not capable of learning anything new to expand my responsibilities unless I return to college. I don't have the abilities I used to have, where did that knowledge go? Oh I know, I don't have a degree to prove it! Please. LPNs have not always been treated as second class nurses. We have been whittled down by the BON (mostly RNs) to put us in our place and to prevent us form taking jobs that could better serve the professional status of RNs. How would the professional nurses insist on their value if technical nurses can are permitted to function to their full capacity in the hospital?

Been there done that! The cuff was quite long and it wrapped around until it wasa several layers thick around the arm, then inflate and take blood pressure as you do now with a stethescope. The whole thing did not inflate, I suppose being wrapped so many times around the arm didn't allow for inflation at the far end of the cuff.

Just because they do not reward nurses for education aquired in other ways than college credits does not mean this can not change! That's my who point! LPNs need to stand together and be seen! RNs have various ladder programs (their scope allows employees to do this, at present the LPNs scope does not) LPNs must stand together and work with the BON to allow this to become a reality for LPNs. The online bridge programs do make becoming an RN feasible for a lot of LPNs who could not do it otherwise but that is not an option for many of us and an in-house or even statewide "ladder" program or certification program would allow LPNs to remain LPNs AND advance in their chosen carreer! Laws and regulations CAN change, it's time LPNs banded together to facilitate those changes.

I've been hearing the same thing since the 70s! I understand NY has taken steps to do just that; however, I don't see the final date for "convertion" ever being met. As always, that date will keep getting set back. Even Kentucky, at one time, had said it was going to require all LPNs to get credits towards their RN as continueing education requirements. If that were the case, none of the LPNs I've been knowing for 20 years or more could possibly be practicing as LPNs now....surely, even just a class of two a year would have produced a degree by now! Many states have tried it and they all have found that LPNs are valuable nurses, LPNs are cost effective nurses, LPNs can never be replaced.

I sure miss having my cigarettes while I chart!

I do not remember anyone saying it does or should or could or anything else like that. Where did you get the idea that anyone has said that?

Most of the once a day meds can be spread out over less heavy med times thoughout the day. That would be the first step in managing the load. LTC facilities have long "ignored" this problem because it is a method of repremanding nurses who for whatever reason need to be gotten rid of and they don't want to make a big stink. Just let go because s/he can't handle the job. I have a very good, long time friend who is still DON at a LTC. She let me in on that hint many moons ago, it was when I was acting as her temporary ADON. Didn't want the job myself but did agree to help for awhile. I did, all done. Thank God!