is there any use for an LPN in ob-gyn nursing?

profjanmc · Aug 1, 2004

Well, here in California, they work on postpartum and in nursery, but we have an all RN staff for L&D. But an LPN/LVN certainly has a "use"

J Lynn · Aug 1, 2004

I would love to be welcomed in L&D. I think when I get my RN I will specialize there.

SmilingBluEyes · Aug 1, 2004

In PP or GYN yes possibly but, in L and D, the answer usually is no. Most places around here hire strictly RN's in OB. (Seattle-Tacoma area)

CA CoCoRN, RN · Aug 2, 2004

Pretty much....absolutely it's like the rest said. SOME facilities may hire you as a scrub tech role...but in terms of direct patient care...it's an ALL RN LAW in California for Labor and Delivery.

LauraLou · Aug 7, 2004

We have LVNs in Postpartum and Nursery, but L&D, Antepartum and NICU are all RNs.

Saved_by_Grace · Aug 8, 2004

Even being able to work in Postpartum and Nursery will make me happy. It's a step closer to L&D when I go back for my Adn next year.

Cali · Aug 8, 2004

Hi all I am new to this topic but very interested in working on the Maternity floor.I start school in about three weeks. I was just wondering what or if the LPN's are very involved in.

It really depends on what hospital you are at. I am an LVN and work on a Labor & Delivery unit. Sometimes I work in the triage area. In triage I usually get the medical history, vitals, put patients on the monitor, do IV's and if they are going to be a C-Section I will do the the shave prep, foley and IV. If I'm not in triage, I usually take care of the moms right after delivery. I give pain meds, help with breastfeeding and make sure that they are not bleeding too much. We are a very busy hospital and the LVN's are used to free the RN's up so they can go ahead and take another laboring patient as we do the recovery for the mom who has just delivered. As an LVN, I also take care of Antepartum patients. The RN does the intial assessment and the LVN does pretty much everything else except for IVPB's. I occasionally float to post-partum where I will take a full patient load. The RN just does the intial assessment. Most hospitals don't have LVN's but check around, you may find one that does. I think I just got lucky.

mandykatrn · Aug 8, 2004

it really depends on what hospital you are at. i am an lvn and work on a labor & delivery unit. sometimes i work in the triage area. in triage i usually get the medical history, vitals, put patients on the monitor, do iv's and if they are going to be a c-section i will do the the shave prep, foley and iv. if i'm not in triage, i usually take care of the moms right after delivery. i give pain meds, help with breastfeeding and make sure that they are not bleeding too much. we are a very busy hospital and the lvn's are used to free the rn's up so they can go ahead and take another laboring patient as we do the recovery for the mom who has just delivered. as an lvn, i also take care of antepartum patients. the rn does the intial assessment and the lvn does pretty much everything else except for ivpb's. i occasionally float to post-partum where i will take a full patient load. the rn just does the intial assessment. most hospitals don't have lvn's but check around, you may find one that does. i think i just got lucky.

:confused: this contradicts "...but in terms of direct patient care...it's an all rn law in california for labor and delivery" from a previous poster above. can someone elaborate what the "all rn law" in california l&d means? thanks!!

SmilingBluEyes · Aug 9, 2004

I imagine LVNs are performing under the supervision of an RN, and the RN must likely co-sign the charts. Assessments in many states MUST be performed and signed off by RN's. Check your BON to see how it applies to you. LPNs cannot take care of labor patients where I work, nor can they push IV meds at all. And we have to cosign ALL assessments, and actually round on each patient each shift. That is probably why LPNS are simply not hired where I am. May as well just have RNs when you have all those requirements to meet. Most places, you are best off getting your RN if you wnat to do L and D. PP is more likely to hire LPN/LVNs' if anyone.

HazeK · Aug 9, 2004

Well, here in California, they work on postpartum and in nursery, but we have an all RN staff for L&D. But an LPN/LVN certainly has a "use"

same here in Las Vegas...great help in nsy, postpartum or as scrub techs...

too many IV pushes, etc to be cost effective in L&D.

Haze

RNmommy · Aug 9, 2004

At my facility, we use LVNs as assistive staff, like CNAs. Of course, they get paid more. However, they are not given their own patient load and only rarely give PO meds. On the PM shift, we occasionally use a LVN to staff the nursery. In that case the charge RN is responsible for the infants being monitored and C-sections. We do not use LVNs in L&D.