Supporting LPNs
Friday, November 27, 2009
I worked at Newman Regional Health for around 30 years both as a staff nurse and in management. As Kathy, Jean and Marianne said — we worked with it all — team nursing, total patient care, etc. We went through the pain and heartache of eliminating the LPNs before — it DOES NOT WORK ! ! ! We needed those partners in health care. Nursing is one profession where you definitely need more Indians than Chiefs — professionals who are there giving what the patient came in for — nursing care based on Doctor’s orders.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with learning new things — nurses are required to in order to renew their licenses — But a string of initials behind your name does not mean you are better than the next. And — it doesn’t matter which type of school you graduate from — RN or LPN must take their respective State Board Licensing exam in order to practice.
I think it is kind of funny — I remember when the hospital went through the name change from Newman Memorial County Hospital to Newman Regional Health. They wanted to be portrayed as a regional health center and also get away from the connotation of the word “county” because they always reminded the public they have never used county funds to operate. But one of the first things the new administrator did was approach the county to form the Public Building Commission as a means to assist with the debt load. Maybe it is time for the county to take an even more active role in what the hospital is doing — after all — qualified people losing their job and having to move out of town affects the county. Something needs to be done — these LPNs do not deserve this kind of treatment.
Cindy Graber, RN, retired
Americus
Comments
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Posted by knute (anonymous) on November 27, 2009 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Absolutely, 100%, correct.
Posted by biscuitboy (anonymous) on November 27, 2009 at 2:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Every time I have ever had to be in the care of a hospital the one thing that more than all others influenced my view of my treatment there was the nurse standing by the side of my bed when I needed her or him. That caring person in the middle of the night was all that stood between me and thirst, pain, or just plain old raw fear. And during those times I didn't give a rat's behind what letters that person had behind their name.....I was just glad they were there......and especially glad that they cared.
I wonder if NRH is not forgetting what the real purpose of a hospital was supposed to be. Not to be state of the art.....not to be a money making gold mine.....but to care for the sick and treat the injured. Oh....I forgot....that's an old timey idea that doesn't apply to this brave new world we live in. Carry on!
Posted by methusla (anonymous) on November 27, 2009 at 7:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
FYI,
At the very first joint City/County Commission public budget hearing a representative, I assume, of NRH requested that the County Commissioners approve a countywide tax raise, because NRH needed more operating capital and keep NRH out of the red !
Now that sounds to me as if NRH wants the county to get involved in NRH by means of raising taxes of county taxpayers !
Sounds to me as if NRH has a management or lack of sufficent management problem !
What is the Administrators pay and is the job the Administrator is doing worth what he/she is getting paid ?
What is the administrative staffs pay and are they worth or worthy of what they are getting paid ?
Sometimes the biggest ongoing problems in any organization may be of an upper level, internal nature !
Posted by methusla (anonymous) on November 27, 2009 at 7:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
P.S.
Sometimes to find a problem, one only has to look no further than ones self !
Posted by anotherside (anonymous) on November 27, 2009 at 9:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As a Paramedic who has worked in several hospital based EMS systems, I can tell you that having the RN title does not mean better care. I have personally worked with many LPN's who ran circles around Registered Nurses.
The best care is provided by individuals who truely care about their patients.
Many LPN's are happy being an LPN while others use this as a stepping stone to the Registered Nurse title, whatever their reason for being an LPN they should be allowed to practice their profession.
One last thought, for a hospital that is in the financial shape of NRH you would think they would be embracing the LPN's since they can pay them several dollars an hour less than a Registered Nurse. Last I checked, Insurance and Medicare do not reimburse at a higher rate for a Registered Nursing only staff.
Posted by scarlett01_98 (anonymous) on December 3, 2009 at 7:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I just heard the latest news. It is a done deal. The LPN'S are being removed. This is heart breaking move. The LPN'S are some of the best around. The RN'S are going to work themselves to death. The dir of nrsg is completely wrong. If this person thinks NRH will be another Mayo, there are a few things missing. Billions of dollars in state of the art equip, a few hundred new doc's with select specalities. A MUCH BIGGER building. And so on..... In my opinion the closest mayo is called Via Christie St Francis. Why are the people of lyon county letting this happen? My frustration with someone who doesn't know much about rural hospitals is almost over the top....
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