I am a Canadian LPN, and I work on an acute floor in a hospital. In my province, I am responsible for my own practice. I don't have any RNs overseeing me, aside perhaps from the Charge Nurse, but she oversees ALL nurses.

Legally, I can do all of the same controlled acts as an RN.

The difference between us is that I (in theory) only take care of stable patients, with predictable outcomes. I can do assessments when a new admission arrives on the floor, I can initiate and maintain IVs, I can hang blood, and I can do IVP meds (except for sedatives, as those render the patient "unstable").

My program was 2 years long, whereas the RN program is 4 years long.

If I moved to the US, would my scope suddenly shrink? Forgive my ignorance if this is not correct - I just see people on this forum talking about reporting to RNs, and not being able to hang blood and such - is that across the board in the US, or does it vary greatly by state and institution?

I believe it's pretty universal in the states that LPN's may not hang blood (but we can monitor it) or do IVP. If you are planning to relocate, check w/ that states BON. That's the best place to get correct answers.

I believe it's pretty universal in the states that LPN's may not hang blood (but we can monitor it) or do IVP. If you are planning to relocate, check w/ that states BON. That's the best place to get correct answers.

I retired two years ago and worked for years and years in critical care. I pretty much did everything myself (including IVP meds, blood products, titration of drips etc), but I didn't take new admissions, serve as the charge nurse or serve as a patients primary nurse. However, all of this varies from state to state AND facility to facility. I was responsible for what was in my scope, but an RN (the charge nurse) had to cover what was outside of that scope. There are states where the scope of the LPN is very similar to that of an RN, and others where its much more restrictive.

LPNs here in the USA, in many areas, are being phased out of acute care either by attrition or by force. Some nurse managers will only hire an LPN if she/he is in school to be an RN. Even the hospital were I worked for many years that allows LPNs a full scope of practice usually replaces a retiring LPN with an RN. Depending on where you relocate to, you might find jobs scarce if you wish to practice in acute care.

Best to you,

Mrs H