I've worked as a nurse in more than one state. LPNS have different rules and regulations (scope of practice) in each state. When I worked in New England, LPNS were rarely hired by hospitals, there were a few grandfathered in at hospitals while most were laid off, and most worked at nursing homes, home health, and rehab type settings. But in that state CNAs were trained as "techs" and were allowed to start ivs, do ekgs, and check blood sugars with the glucometer. LPNS were phased out in hospitals, not because they are less skilled, but because the hospitals realized they could make more money by paying CNAs to do the same skills for a lot less. I have worked with some LPNS who were far better nurses and had a lot more experience/skill than RNS, and some I would trust my life and the life of my family with in their care. Like any profession, there are good and bad.
In my current state, LPNS work in the hospitals side by side with us RNS and do mostly the same job but get paid less. ( a lot less). The are not allowed to do the primary assessment but can do all assessments after that. They cannot hang blood alone, but can with and RN (you always need 2 nurses to hang blood), and they cannot access a central line or PICC line, and they cannot care for someone in restraints. Their job is the same as mine. We work together. In this state CNAS make like $7 an hour and can only do vital signs and personal care. Not much else.
I am an RN, I take offense to people saying an LPN is less skilled or has less knowledge because it really depends on the LPN. While their training is I think a year, which is a lot shorter than that of an RN, their actual skill level and level of their nursing care is based on their ON THE JOB training and years of experience. Like all nurses, the bulk of your learning takes place on the job.
I have some serious concerns and questions about this grandmother being an LVN. She has demonstrated some serious knowledge deficits and assessment skills that make me question her position and experience. She has also showed some very poor judgement more than once.
I also want to mention that as a healthcare provider you are not permitted to care for your own family because emotion can cloud your judgement. You cannot make objective logical decisions when clouded by emotion or guilt. At first I thought this was what might be happening here, but as the media storm continues and she keeps opening her yap, its becoming clearer that she is lacking in skill and experience that is required to properly care for someone. Perhaps she worked with adults and has no pediatric knowledge? I work in acute care with adults, I do not pretend in any way shape or form to be an expert in pediatrics.
