What is the work of the LPN's in the USA

[Acadian]

I have been an LPN for 37 years. I presently work in Moncton, NB, Canada. I have worked in Ontario and Alberta also. The LPN work is different in each province. Where I work now, we are not allowed to give medications, do IV's etc. I guess this will change within a few months to 2 years. We are not allowed to do what we were taught. We cannot do dressings unless they are the easy ones. I tell the RN's that I can do certain procedures and they will let me do it. Some LPN's find that WE are overworked but I would like more to do and learn more. Working in Alberta I learned to suction pts, take out IV's and piggy backs, do tube feedings and a lot more. I did voluntary work with the St John Ambulance and I was able to do more with them than in the hospital.

Thank you and have a wonderful day and for those LPN's that want to get their RN's, GOOD LUCK. I myself enjoy the contact that I have with patients compared to the RN's. Most of them will tell you that much.

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

The work varies here from State to State as well. In Texas an RN must do the initial assessment, plan the care and plan the teaching. The LVN may provide the care and do the teaching. Some facilities in TX allow LVN's to do sterile dressings, push IV meds and perform most any duty involving direct patient care, as long as the LVN has the proper certification for that task. Some facilities prefer not to allow LVN's in critical care, or do conscious sedation (procedural anesthesia). So it just depends on where the LVN works. Wish I could give you a better answer.