scope of practice for LPN as a dialysis nurse

[MrsNjoro]

I was just wondering if there are things in dialysis that a LPN is not leagaly able to do. I am in the process of bridging for my RN, but I have been asked to start a semester before graduation. So, would I be limmited on the things I can do before I take the RN NCLEX?

[sunfirebsn]

You would have to check with the clinic you are working at to get your full scope of practice, they should be able to provide you with a full job description. Rules are different depending on company and state you are in. Where I am work, the LPN we had could not give IV drugs, take MD orders. She could give PO meds, assessments, charting, and other things. Hope this helps, good luck! :)

[m74shel]

I have been a dialysis lpn for 10 years now. I have worked in 2 different states and it is dramatically different on what we can do. In NY they are very strict, cannot give a med unless pt has already recieved it before, cannot troubleshoot catheters, cannot hang blood ect. In NC you can be a team leader for 12 pts, take MD orders, give all meds, do assessments. I now do travel nursing in dialysis and have to question what my role will be when I interview at a particular unit. Some places I believe they do not utilize their LPNs and are considered glorified patient care techs. When you find a place where you can use your skills and experience its all worth it.

[MrsNjoro]

Thank you both for the info! M74shel, I know what you mean by the glorified pt care techs. I live in MO, and a lot of people think of LPNs in that way. The sad thing is, I am bridging now and they don't even come close to teaching the RN students the amount of things we learned in LPN school(or spend as much clinical time). It is really strange!