Why are LPNs not allowed to do more?

GaMBA · Sep 7, 2008

Great response, thank you!

angel589 · Sep 7, 2008

With two years of training you can be Register Nurse

Fiona59 · Sep 7, 2008

Not in Canada. The PN education up here is four semesters resulting in (at least in my province) a diploma with university transfer credits. We don't have any way other than a BScN to obtain an RN position.

In my health region, patients are discharged from the ICU to the first available bed on the floor. The patient gets whatever nurse be it RN or LPN that is responsible for that bed for the shift. The LPN, takes report from the ICU nurse responsible for the patient, determines if the patient is suitable for our unit (and we have been pretty good at pulling out the "dumps" that should be sent elsewhere, but the beds manager just wants placed), does the transfer/admission assessment and we do it under our own license, insurance and without a co-sign from anyone.

lpnflorida, LPN · Sep 7, 2008

nursekarenrn, I tend to agree with you on many of the points you made. I also see lack of investment in being an LPN as a career. Today it has become merely a stepping stone for too many.

Fiona59 · Sep 7, 2008

... I also see lack of investment in being an LPN as a career. Today it has become merely a stepping stone for too many.

From what I read on these forums that is soo true!

mystic66 · Sep 12, 2008

I've read several threads on here about what LPNs can and can't do. I've even read some threads where LPNs used to be able to do some stuff but are no longer allowed by law to do those things. I guess I'm not understanding something here. Why would an LPN no longer be allowed to do something they were able to do for years and years? If there is a so-called nursing shortage, why is the scope of an LPN's job becoming more narrow, and why are some hospitals doing away with them altogether? It all seems pretty backward to me. Does it have anything to do with the education an LPN receives? Are LPNs not trained/qualified to do the things they aren't allowed to do, or is it that it's becoming a liability issue? I've also seen a few posters say they consider themselves glorified CNAs and that's why the hospitals are getting rid of them. What is going on? I'm working on prereqs for an LPN program and I just want to understand what I'm getting myself into.
Thanks!

In a word MALPRACTICE!!!

lpnflorida, LPN · Sep 12, 2008

Mystic,

Please clarify the ( malpractice)

Having worked for 30 yrs as an LPN within the scope of practice as defined by the Board of Nursing and our hospital policies . I have never been sued for malpratice.

mystic66 · Sep 12, 2008

Maybe a better word would have indeed been liability. We aren,t allowed to do alot of the things we use to do due to hospital and other health care facilities being sued when something goes wrong.

lpnflorida, LPN · Sep 12, 2008

https://allnurses.com/forums/f99/practical-way-ease-nursing-shortage-290573.html

Go to the thread started by TheCommuter, read the pdf files which talk about what LPN's are able to do when /if utilized to their full scope of practice.. You might find it interesting.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Sep 12, 2008

https://allnurses.com/forums/f99/practical-way-ease-nursing-shortage-290573.html
Go to the thread started by TheCommuter, read the pdf files which talk about what LPN's are able to do when /if utilized to their full scope of practice.. You might find it interesting.

I agree. In addition, each state has their own scope of practice for LPNs. If we are performing skills within those guidelines and using proper policy and procedure, I can't see why a facility would worry about malpractice of liability.

lpnflorida, LPN · Sep 12, 2008

Up on my soapbox,:igtsyt:

We LPN's are not a liability to anyone, most of us trained hard, work hard, attempt to be help to those around us. To the RN's we recognize because of Nursing Scope of Practice that they sign many of the things I/we do. I try in return if they have to do something due to my restrictions of practice, I offer to do something for them my own way of recognizing they may feel it is a burden. Having to assess my patient even though I have already done it, and then co-sign my work. Yes, they are paid for the responsiblity they carry.Some are comfortable with the responsibility some are not experienced enough or have not worked with enough really good LPN's to be comfortable with this. Instead they say no room for LPN's in the hospital. Just like the BSN nurses imply there should be no room in the hospital for ADN nurse.

We LPN's are no liability, we are part of a team. We need not feel shame, even though there are those who make it seem we should.

My hat is off to anyone who has more education. However, it does not mean we as LPN's have no value. We have proven, we can practice safely and give good care.

There is alot of what I will simply refer to as propaganda. Yes , things are changing, but once upon a time, LPN's worked in ICU, CCU, PCU, OR, ER.

Some still do in parts of our country. Some do not, and who's fault is it. I believe it is our own fault. We do not stand up for ourselves. We do not show that we are able to excel in many instances.

stepping off my soapbox. Thanks to all the healthcare workers who have helped me through the years. You and the patient's are what have made it worth it.

skwlpn · Sep 13, 2008

I have found that the older the patient/resident the less respect I get from them. For instance, at the LTC where I used to work I would routinely have people call me the "little medication nurse" or ask "are you a nurse or just an LPN?" I think this may be just a cultural issue. These are the same people who grew up before racial integration and would sometimes make terrribly inappropriate remarks about race issues as well. Just has to do with what was appropriate and relevant at the time they were the generation "with their finger on the pulse". There was a time when LPNs were more like "little medication nurses" I guess. I am proud of my title, I just carry myself like a capable, competent nurse and I have never had anyone question me in the hospital where I now work...