| Comment Number: | OL-10508048 |
| Received: | 3/14/2005 5:11:44 PM |
| Subject: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Request for Comment |
| Title: | National Security Personnel System |
| CFR Citation: | 5 CFR Chapter XCIX and Part 9901 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
I am a License Vocational Nurse (LVN) and have been since 1976. I worked civilian hospitals while moving around with my GI husband till 1990. I have worked for the ARMY since1990 to present. I have always felt that as a LVN we are treated as less than what our license implies. We are Nurses but we are called para-professionals. And we are GS-5s. Our Performance evaluations are done by Bravos (equivalent to nurse's aides in the civilian world). Yet When the Resgister nurse needs someone to cover for him/her they do not hesitate to ask the LVN or LPN (License Practical Nurse) to stand in their place. I have always had great dismay to think that a licensed person ( we do have to take boards and pass) is worth so little to the Army and yet require us to fill in, in some instantses for RNs. I am greatly disapointed when my yearly evaluation by 91 Whiskies (I beleive that is what they are called now). When there is no RN in our clinic we the LVNs/LPNs take care of their responsibilities. This happens through-out the Army. My request is that you see our value and grant us a GS rating that is representative of our licensing and work. And our rater should not be lesser licensed person then what we are. Because we fall under the supervision of 91Bravos they sometimes task us the same as a private. What injustice. I can tell you this probably came about because before 1993 or 1994 the Soldier LPNs in the Army were not required pass their boards and be licensed. I know I speak for the majority of the LPNs and LVNs that are working for the Army. Thank-you.