Earlier today I was read some old threads on this site about the use of LPN's in the ICU CCU and I have to say that most of the comments from the R.N.'s were unprofessional and down right rude. I have been an RN for 26 years now along with being a Registered Paramedic. I started out at age 20 as a G.N. on a medical surgical unit working night shift as the only R.N. for 45 patients. I worked with 4 LPN's and 1 NA. I was also a new Paramedic as same time so I had somewhat of clue how to start an IV and give meds, assess patients quickly. The L.P.N.'s taught me how to be an awesome nurse on the medical surgical unit doing Team Nursing. Granted I was the new RN in charge but those LPN's could run circles around any new RN. I went to work in the ICU after two years of med-surg to which had LPN's as well doing Primary Nursing with their own patients. 1990 The LPN's in the ICU were some of the best nurses I ever worked with and they held their own just fine. I was grateful to have some of the LPN's teach me the tricks of the ICU and made me feel right at home. Working in Critical care and the Emergency Dept now for 26 years I can tell you I would take an LPN any day over todays new Grad/RN. LPN's are still taught bedside clinical nursing which is key. The new Grad of today mostly BSN track are the worst nurses on the planet. We need to get back to the bedside and be nurses with a team delivery system where the RN and LPN have their respective roles and display mutual respect nurse to nurse. Kudos to the LPN's in the world and the RN's who support them. We are all Nurses! This nurse is a graduate of a 3 year RN diploma program with additional degrees obtained later along the path. The thread I read today made sick to think the RN's would make such nasty comments about the use of LPN partners in the ICU.
Just felt I needed to give Kudos to those LPN's who are still in the game. If everyone would work together and follow scope of practice issues legally we could deliver high quality care. Respectfully, RNParamedic911, RN,BSN,MS,CEN,CPEN,CCRN,CFRN,NREMT-P, RN-C
It was tasked focused and everyone knew their role and everything was done. The LPN and aide did the majority of the direct patient care and The RN focused on the orders, care plans, and coordinating the discharges. We were a team in the truest sense of the word.
The Sisters ran a tight ship. The inspected everything using a checklist. Hospitals were much cleaner then than they are today.
The computer order entry program was new and was called the Saint. The main page was a nun with a halo pointing to heaven. I was working in a charity based, rather than today's profit based, city hospital. I had a month of night shift charge nurse duty as part of my leadership class.
I truly believe that the nursing profession has been set back by decades by eliminating team nursing. On a bad day, I feel like my RN meant more then than it does now. Thanks for listening.
icuRNmaggie, BSN, RN
1,970 Posts
It was tasked focused and everyone knew their role and everything was done. The LPN and aide did the majority of the direct patient care and The RN focused on the orders, care plans, and coordinating the discharges. We were a team in the truest sense of the word.
The Sisters ran a tight ship. The inspected everything using a checklist. Hospitals were much cleaner then than they are today.
The computer order entry program was new and was called the Saint. The main page was a nun with a halo pointing to heaven. I was working in a charity based, rather than today's profit based, city hospital. I had a month of night shift charge nurse duty as part of my leadership class.
I truly believe that the nursing profession has been set back by decades by eliminating team nursing. On a bad day, I feel like my RN meant more then than it does now. Thanks for listening.