Questions for LPNs who became RNs and stayed on the same unit...

IamRN · Feb 28, 2004

Not in those shoes myself, but I have colleagues that experienced this...yes, they did get RN orientation. It wasn't as long as for a new GN, but it was enough to where they were comfortable w/their new role....four to six weeks.

lsyorke, RN · Feb 28, 2004

I was an LPN on my unit for 15 years. Finally got my RN did two days of classroom orientation(which I could have done in 2 hours!!)I was given a preceptor on my floor which lasted 2 hours!! I was officially staff RN after 2 hours and took an assignment. This was fine for me since precepting is really to show you the specifics of the unit and hospital policies, which I knew inside and out! To spend 4 weeks with a preceptor would have been foolish, unless I wanted it. I was given the decision making regarding ending my orientation.

mattsmom81 · Feb 28, 2004

I guess it should be individualized according to the role change, if any. In my ICU, several LVN coworkers will receive their RN licenses soon and already function in the role they will assume...so no orientation is necessary.

I worked 4 yrs on medsurg as an LPN but DID receive a short orientation on my graduation from RN school...individualized to MY needs...because RN's were teamleaders and had more responsibility than LPN's on this unit.

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Feb 28, 2004

uh..... not LPN to RN, but PCT to RN here... but may I still play?

Still waiting for SOME kind of orientation (even though it's been a year now).

Oh, I'm shown things in bits and pieces, but somehow I think since I worked there for six years already in our unit, they just all assumed I picked up everything by osmosis ! :stone

Don't get me wrong.. I absolutely adore my NM, and love my coworkers, but DANG !!! I was a TECH, for cryin' out loud !!! I concentrated on those things that were MY responsibilty, focused soley on doing MY part to the best of my ability... didn't give much heed to what the nurses were doing as it was not within my scope of practice. Yes, I listened, watched, etc., but never wilth full attention, as I had too many other things I had to be doing.

Oh well... on the job training here... :chuckle

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2004

jnette that is so wrong.

jnette, ASN, EMT-I · Feb 28, 2004

jnette that is so wrong.

what... posting DH's teeth as my avi?

OH ! You meant the lack of orientation ? :rotfl:

Tweety, BSN, RN · Feb 29, 2004

Woot! :rotfl:

pickledpepperRN · Feb 29, 2004

I was an LVN at my current hospital for a looong time.

As a critical care LVN it was unfair to the RNs.

They were each responsible for 3 patients while I was assigned to two RNs to do tasks and report abnormalities. With rising acuities because the lower acuity patients were in telemetry it was not safe for an RN to be assigned more than 2 patients, even with a hard working LVN.

I transferred to med/surg/tele returning to critical care when I graduated.

My orientation was only four weeks. Other new grads were still in orientation months later when I began taking charge.

The biggest adjustment was the level of responsibility and patient advocacy instead of the task oriented LVN duties.

For more than a year I would not take charge unless an experienced charge nurse was also scheduled who could advise me.

Some of the RNs I work with were new grads when I was an LVN. One of our doctors was a clerk during summers while in college.

Many of our younger nurses worked here as aides then requested this unit when hired as RNs.

We are friends, not perfect, but say what we mean and mean what we say to each other. Religion and politics are rarely mentioned.

Patient care comes first. On break we talk about family, pets, and hobbies. One sports fan talks about the Lakers OFTEN. Thankfully he is a great nurse b and I am aware of annoying traits of my own because I am not a fan of professional sports.

Jnette & Tweety:

We would love to have you! A couple of us want to go to days.

RNPATL, DNP, RN · Feb 29, 2004

Tweety ... good question! I was an LPN on my unit for 3 years. Once I graduated with my RN, I was placed in a 6 week orientation program. I thought it was a joke and was really offended! The other nurses on the floor thought it was crazy also. I actually only stayed on orientation for a total of 2 weeks and did fine. My first time in charge was a littel scary for me, but all in all, it went fine, because I had the support of the other nurses. Shortly after my orientation, I was promoted to Nurse Manager of the floor. Now, that was strange. Interesting to note here .... I received NO orientation to the nurse manager role. I was in that role for 2 years. Needless to say, I will do anything and everything to avoid another nurse manager role for many years. :)

mattsmom81 · Feb 29, 2004

Jnette they took advantage of you for sure. Obviously they think you're up to it, but we learn to demand what we need as nurses. If something goes wrong there are some who will hold you accountable/ blame you for a poor outcome regardless of whether you had orientation or not. Orientation, even if short and individualized, is the time we ALL deserve to ask questions, learn equipment and policies, and demonstrate competence to ourselves and others. Nurses must make sure to hold employers responsible for adequate training. JCAHO requires it, rightfully so.

Consider making a list of things (procedures, equipment, simulations etc) you would like to be oriented to properly, if you need it, and consider seeing to it that your employer provides it. It's only fair after all.

Agnus · Mar 1, 2004

I received 6 weeks orientation and that included orienting to charge although I did not actually take charge for some time later.

RN is a different role. You ARE NOT doing the same thing. You should be orientated to the difference.