Role Of Lpn's In Icu's

[PATSfanRN]

I'M LOOKING FOR INFO REGARDING THE ROLE OF LPN'S IN AN ICU SETTING. I WORK IN A SMALL COMMUNITY HOSPITAL IN MA. THAT USES LPN'S IN THE ER AND ICU. I DON'T THINK THE HOSPITAL COULD FUNCTION WITHOUT LPN'S, BUT MANY OF US ARE CONFUSED AS TO WHAT KIND OF PATIENT ASSIGNMENT IS APPROPRIATE IN THE ICU. AS A FORMER LPN, I DON'T FEEL AN LPN SHOULD BE CARING FOR PATIENTS ON DOPAMINE GTTS ETC. ALSO WHAT WOULD BE THE LIABILITIES OF THE RN IN CHARGE?

[Geeg]

What does the state board of nursing have to say? I doubt that A LPN can titrate vasoactive meds?

[soliant12]

The LPN would be leglly responsible for his/her actions not the RN in charge.

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

LPN's are only utilized in our ICU if they are full and need help with baths, turns, daily care etc. They take no and are given no responsibilty for any meds, gtts, vents or any other complex care.

As an LPN, i wouldnt have put myself in a position of taking care of any gtts. Now as a RN, thats a different story but as far as I know, most nurse practice acts state the LPN practices under the supervision of an RN. I guess if a nurse manager of a ICU wants to take and sign off that responsibility to a LPN good for her,, i wouldnt. And as a LPN i wouldnt accept it either.

[SilentfadesRPA]

That sure is a valid concern. Have you discussed this with your Nurse Manager and/or Administration.

I would be interested in what is the BON does say about the roles in this situation -- from my reading on this board Texas has a broad scope on the LPN duties where as other states are very narrow.

Are the roles in the ER the same as the ones in the ICU unit ?

Marc

[Otessa, BSN, RN]

I work in a hospital where LPNs only work in the ICU as extenders and never take a pt. care assignment.

LPNs are used minimally in the ER and only on the Medical areas not minor trauma or trauma.

[banditrn]

In the hospital I worked in, we sometimes had LPN's float to ICU, but they were the ones who had a lot of experience.

They were given stable patients, but the RN had to follow them and titrate any gtts, plus the RN had to do an assessment. These gals knew what they could and couldn't do, and were excellent nurses.