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Is there any respect for LPNs (LVNs) anywhere in the US? |
Here in Central NY, there is little to no respect and it is often implied that the profession should be eliminated in favor of requiring all nurses to have a bachelor degree or higher. I am looking to move out of state. Imput from other health professionals both in and out of NY would be appreciated. I have a great amount of respect for LPNs, but to say LPNs do everything an RN does is hugely incorrect, if this were true, there would be no LPNs, there would only be RNs, and only one level of licensure. As an RN, we perform thorough physical, mental, and social assessments, we create the plan of care, we perform more technical skills like PICC lines, etc., we delegate certain aspects of patient care to assistive staff while still remaining fully responsible for that patient's well being even if we aren't directly providing those cares that our LPN or CNA does. LPNs can take vital signs and pass meds and provide the ADLs, but you aren't trained to interpret complex lab results, create nursing diagnoses and formulate care plans with specific outcomes, and reassessing the patient to see if those outcomes have been met or if the plan of care needs to be changed. I am in no way using these examples as a way of arguingthat I, as an RN, am more superior or valuable in the work setting. What I am trying to get across is that we perform very different functions, and we have a completely different level of legal liability, a different scope of practice we must follow. LPNs provide crucial aspects of patient care, tasks that the RN is expected to delegate to you so that we have enough time to perform all our duties that you cannot do for us, such as the intensive amount of documentation that is required as an RN to provide a complete record of the patient's care and progress towards their outcomes. If we didn't have you to assist us, we would have higher nurse-patient ratios, which leads to a decrease in patient safety and satisfaction with the care we offer. It's sad that you feel you don't get respect where you work. It certainly depends on the facility. In the past I have worked alongside LPNs and it was a very cohesive work unit, a fully functional team, where all members were valued for what they do. Now, I work at a facility that has "phased out" using LPNs. It's a shame they did, because we don't have enough aids on the floor to help us, and patient satisfaction has declined since we lost our LPNs. Some LPNs just don't like their job and what it entails - a lot of direct patient care, and yes, sometimes it can feel like you are doing all the "dirty" work. If that job isn't for you and you don't feel challenged by your work, why not consider furthering your education and becoming an RN, and find out if the grass is truly greener on the other side? ;) Hope you find a job you like. Good luck. Source(s): RN, Labor & Delivery Nope. I haven't found a place yet. Former LPN current RN :D CT has huge needs for LPNs. Many facilites prefer to use LPNs instead of RNs as much as possible. I would suggest hooking up with an agency to find a position. CA is also a hot spot. Check out some websites for medical staffing agencies you will be able to see pay and need in the country. Recruiter Funny, where I work as an LPN, my responsibilities have greatly grown in the last several years. Remember, we do everything the RN's do, but, get paid less. There is a lot of respect for LPN's in my work place. Of course, my co-workers and I are not stupid and know that our employer appreciates the fact that we can do what the RN's can do, almost everything, and they get away with paying us less!! Upstate New York. |
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