Who to Contact for LPN changes??

Nurses General Nursing

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I am curious if anyone out there knows where a person would start in petitioning for changes regarding Long Term Care and regulations of the use of LPN's and RN's. The reasoning is that in my area (S.Dakota) there are mostly small facilities that use only one nurse per shift. Right now our regs include having an RN on duty at least 8 hours per shift. Because of this it is VERY hard to find any LPN positions, because of the reg the homes are often seeking RN's to cover the 8 hours on the weekends when the DON is gone, and therefore they have to hire them full time in most cases.

I've worked LTC for over 10 years. I've been charge nurse, worked alone with a couple CNA's, for all 10 of those years. I've done JP's, Trach's, G-Tube, PICC's. I've done CPR more than twice, the heimlich, and have had to make the judgement call of sending people to the ER many times. I've consoled many a family member, argued with plenty of dr's. All of this, no RN present nor needed. I'm not knocking the role of the RN, I know I couldn't do med-surg, etc. But in LTC the role is NO different, I have even had RN's call ME for advice. Experience overrides schooling many times.

Assisted Living Centers care for elderly simliar to those in the LTC facility, except those in LTC can't care for themselves. But their diagnoses are the same, their confusion is often the same, their meds are the same. I have worked AL so I am fully aware of the similarities. In AL facilities there is only the requirement of an RN to come in 20 hours per week, then the Unlicensed Personnel are in charge. Most don't have current CPR, and few know what to do in an emergency.

My goal is to change the regulations governing the LTC in regards to RN coverage. Many facilities are short because they are "holding out" for RN's, yet many LPN's have to take 2 part time jobs (no benefits!) because of this. Maybe change to having to have at least one full time RN on staff (floor nurse, not just MDS, etc), and allow the rest to be handled by the LPN, at each facilities choosing.

This would not only solve many problems for LPNs, it would help the nursing shortage as well. I know of many CNA's that can put things on hold for a year of school to get their LPN, but they don't because of the fact that it's so hard to find a LPN position (and not just 2-10p shift). They couldn't afford to do 2 years in school, as was my case. So this may add some help. It would also fill the positions that are just sitting there waiting to be filled, and help the residents of those facilties have the staff that they need (and deserve!)

It's a big plight, but any information would be appreciated. I do plan to go on in time with Excelsior to get my RN, because I would love to work as a director in one of our small facilities. I would love to be able to have a full staff for my residents!

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Specializes in Geriatrics/Family Practice.

Good luck in getting any changes done rIegarding LPN's. Where I live I'm even hesitant to call my self a nurse because of all the responsibility taken away from us and put on RN's. In the years past LPN's were treated as nurses and had a role in healthcare, now we are fill ins when there is a shortage of RN's, we are used in desperate times. Our hospital are so desperate for RN's they would rather work without them than hire LPN's. I would love to see some changes made in the role of the LPN, but it seems to be going the opposite way of what I would like to see. Most facilities except LTC don't know what to do with us or what our scope of practice is so they just don't use us. The hospitals around here would rather nuke themselves than hire LPN's. We are the biggest burden to them. By the way I live in Illinois. I complain in regards to the responsibility or lack of but I have no intentions of getting my RN. The irony is that I chose to be a LPN as a career not a transition into being a RN. When I worked LTC, they too had to have a RN on duty 8 hours a day, but there were day there weren't and guess what? We made it with the all LPN and CNA staff.

If we had a problem or question we called the nurse on call and if she didn't have the answer she called her hire up. It just goes to show not all of know everything, no matter what the letters are after your name. And even the ones that have the alphabet after their name may not know crap. Good luck with getting anything changed, I'd love to see something done for the LPN's, so we knew where we stood and would quit getting taking advantage of and used as cheaper labor. Sorry if this sounds rude or to forward, but society has rubbed me wrong being a LPN and I've only been doing this for 15 months. I have to say I earned more respect in the 15 years of working as a Registered Pharmacy Technician then I do as a LPN. How sad is that?

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Specializes in Med/Surg.

As a fellow LPN just north of you, I say "You Go Girl!!"

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Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.

i know LPN's are treated as if they are not nurses in alot of cases. i was a LPN for 20 years. i think it will be hard to change the law , have you contacted the state's BON regarding your thoughts? they may have to change some of the laws regarding LPN working under a RN license. i think you may have to start at the BON for changes in the nurse practice act. have you spoke to the facility you work at ? i am a RN now and i am glad i went back to school. it opened up alot of jobs i couldn't get a LPN. good luck in your quest and keep us posted.

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I am a new LPN and this is my first post on this site. I live in MA and over here it is also a problem. Most LPN are aware of it but choose to complain or go get their RN ( I have nothing against that ). But what if you like LTC? When it comes to that, the RN duties on the floor are the same as the LPN's. It feels like this whole time in school was just a waste because now even the LTC's are closing their door to us. I work for an agency now because it is hard to find a full time job in a facility. I applied for a position at a one of the nursing home they send me but I was turned down because they "Prefer RN's". That was last month and until now I work there through the agency 32 to 40 hrs a week. That position is still vacant but instead of hiring an LPN ( me) they rather spend money on agencies. And I am not the only agency nurse there.I will get my RN eventually but this is ridiculous! Something needs to be done. I am glad to see that others share my views and are willing to do something about it. I would advise you to reach out to LPN's ( also RN's who feel affected by the problem) and get together to be heard. Starting with the BON of your state is a good idea.But try to get as many LPN's as possible involved. I wish you good luck and I support you. If some changes are made in your state, maybe MA will be next who knows? We just have to get out there and make our voices heard.

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I am a new LPN and this is my first post on this site. I live in MA and over here it is also a problem. Most LPN are aware of it but choose to complain or go get their RN ( I have nothing against that ). But what if you like LTC? When it comes to that, the RN duties on the floor are the same as the LPN's. It feels like this whole time in school was just a waste because now even the LTC's are closing their door to us. I work for an agency now because it is hard to find a full time job in a facility. I applied for a position at a one of the nursing home they send me but I was turned down because they "Prefer RN's". That was last month and until now I work there through the agency 32 to 40 hrs a week. That position is still vacant but instead of hiring an LPN ( me) they rather spend money on agencies. And I am not the only agency nurse there.I will get my RN eventually but this is ridiculous! Something needs to be done. I am glad to see that others share my views and are willing to do something about it. I would advise you to reach out to LPN's ( also RN's who feel affected by the problem) and get together to be heard. Starting with the BON of your state is a good idea.But try to get as many LPN's as possible involved. I wish you good luck and I support you. If some changes are made in your state, maybe MA will be next who knows? We just have to get out there and make our voices heard.

It's all true, true, true! All of the above postings are true. Why don't they make it easier for us LPN's that want to become RN's--we need some credit for experience, instead of so many pre-reques. I live in Florida and luckly, it is not difficult to find a job in LTC. We are always in need of a good RN for the skilled unit, though. And your right, there is no difference in what LPN's and RN's can do in LTC--LPN's just get paid much less to do it!:angryfire

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Thanks for the replies, it's nice to know I'm not alone in this feeling (or that it's not just S. Dakota that has this problem). I wasn't sure on this, but I wondered if this interest of change has a political "ring" to it. I just read an article that in S. Dakota a group of mid-wives went to a local politician to help them back the making of a new law that constitutes them as practitioners in our state. So maybe.... gotta know (or meet) the right people I'll bet.

I just got a knife in the back again. I had to take a job at an AL center until I can find a nursing job. Half the pay (they only hire med techs, so they'll only pay me that wage), and I have to do a med pass in front of the 20 hour per week RN that comes in, because, according to the manager, she needs to evaluate my med skills "since she's a nurse". GRR:angryfire

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Why 'dumb down' the regs? Now should a CNA say "I do everything the LVN does I want to have the same responsibilities'.

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Why 'dumb down' the regs? Now should a CNA say "I do everything the LVN does I want to have the same responsibilities'.

Sorry....you just don't get my point. And a CNA does not do even close to what a nurse does---no comparison. I was a CNA for years before becoming a LPN. I could not do my job without the wonderful, hard-working CNA's I have, God bless them. But the job responsibilites are not even close. LPN's do the same work as a RN does in LTC. We learn our skills (and we have many) on the job---nothing to dumb down about that. I just think it we deserve credit for what we know, that is all.:uhoh3:

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

having a rn in the building 8 hours a day is a federal regulation. i seriously doubt you are going to get around that. since that would effect the reimbursement of the facilities funding. maybe i am just not getting the whole idea here. where i live they are begging for lvn's to work in the ltc facilities. you can just about walk in a name your price with some of these facilities.

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

lvn's do not work under the license of the rn.

i know lpn's are treated as if they are not nurses in alot of cases. i was a lpn for 20 years. i think it will be hard to change the law , have you contacted the state's bon regarding your thoughts? they may have to change some of the laws regarding lpn working under a rn license. i think you may have to start at the bon for changes in the nurse practice act. have you spoke to the facility you work at ? i am a rn now and i am glad i went back to school. it opened up alot of jobs i couldn't get a lpn. good luck in your quest and keep us posted.
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Why 'dumb down' the regs? Now should a CNA say "I do everything the LVN does I want to have the same responsibilities'.

Hey, that DID happen. They are now able to enroll in a two week class and pass meds, and in some states even administer insulin and DRAW BLOOD.

So maybe there is a chance for change, and LPN's with much experience (hands on charge nursing) will get the chance to earn what they deserve (especially in LTC), or we will just all fizzle out because of the fact that they ARE changing things, to advance the CNA to a UAP (Med Tech) and TAKE OUR JOBS.

UAP's... wanna talk about "dumbing down the regs". It's SCARY in that respect (2 weeks and ok to pass narcs, monitor BS??? Come on!). Yet my years of experience and CHARGE nursing doesn't get me anywhere close to making what the RN in LTC makes.. and WE DO THE SAME JOB. THAT'S what's dumb! :uhoh3:

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