Chapter 6
The delivery of health care in the United States is an ever more integrated system, utilizing the skills of physicians; advanced practice nurses (e.g., nurse practitioners [NPs]); registered nurses (RNs); licensed practical nurses (LPNs), also called licensed vocational nurses (LVNs); and unlicensed assistive personnel (UAPs) such as certified nursing assistants (CNAs), nursing assistants, and home health aides. Each position carries its own duties and responsibilities, but coordination of all the members of the health care team is essential for the delivery of optimal care to the client. This chapter discusses the coordination of care, especially as it pertains to LPN/LVNs.
Many health care settings, including hospitals, clinics, and physician and NP private practices, are staffed by RNs and LPN/LVNs, in addition to NPs and UAPs. In most situations, it is the responsibility of the RN to coordinate the care ordered by the physician and to assign specific duties to LPN/LVNs and NAPs according to the level of knowledge and skills they possess and their legal scope of practice as set by state regulations. (In those situations in which NPs are present, the task of assigning duties to RNs and/or LPN/LVNs may fall to them.) The individual state boards of nursing set the standards that, for the most part, vary little and comply with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).
In this chapter, we’ll discuss the responsibilities and duties that the LPN/LVN is qualified to perform. We’ll also review, in general, the scope of practice of LPN/LVNs and RNs, as well as the roles of NPs and UAPs. You’ll see questions interspersed in the discussion to help make the general guidelines concrete in specific cases.