To the editor:

The letter dated March 11, (“LPN option”) is misleading in that it suggests that the educational preparation and the practice of licensed practical nurses (LPN) and registered nurses (RN) are similar. I would like to clarify a few points. Rather than a bachelor of science degree, licensed practical nurses receive vocational training for less than one year in accredited vocational schools.

In a period of RN shortage, these programs were designed to supply RNs with bedside assistance in the hospital. Vocational candidates receive rote skill training, such as taking vital signs and bathing patients, thus freeing the RNs time to administer treatments or do assessments. By contrast, the education of university-prepared nurses requires several years of undergraduate preparatory course work, with an emphasis in science, and then acceptance into an accredited university school of nursing. This process can take up to five years.

A statement such as “LPNs are capable of doing everything in the schools than a RN can do” demonstrates a lack of understanding of the legal parameters of the two practices. The Kansas Nurse Practice Act is very clear as to what tasks can and cannot be performed by other staff members. Tasks delegated to LPNs (or any other staff) remain the responsibility of the RN.

School nursing is a specialty practice. School nurses are encouraged to become nationally certified, which requires a bachelor’s degree. This is because students attend school with complex concerns, such as HIV, hepatitis, cancer, mental health issues and many other serious conditions. The teachers and the nurses in this school district are all university graduates because it is believed that the students of the district deserve that standard of service.

Paula Hatcher, RN,

Lawrence