[meltom]

Not sure about hospitals here in Tennessee but I work at a LTC skilled facility and can start IV's, hang ABT's, and the only thing RN's can do that I can't here at my work is pronounce death and access porta caths. I'm working towards getting my RN though to increase my pay and job opportunities.

[TiggerBelly]

Thanks for all the feedback everyone.
I got around to asking a newly hired LPN on my unit and she said she is not able to do intial assesments (she can take history tho), hang the first unit of blood, push IV meds and I think that was about it.

[LPN2RNdude]

i am an RN, and have been working ER for 4 months. we have 4 LPN's that have been in the ER for years,,, but they were grandfathered in...... i have noticed no difference in LPN's v/s RN's job description. the LPNs do everything we do.... but in med surg i dont think they can access central lines, do assessments (initially) or initiate blood products. i live in georgia.

[cwhitehouselpn]

I also went to LPN then did a bridge class straight into 3rd semester RN school. In my state, LPNs cannot push certain IV meds and pronounce death. We can administer blood and do IVs if we've had advanced IV certification which was incorporated into our LPN program in 2006-2007

[USC8320]

(i Find That The Ones Who Were Lpn's Before Make The Best Rn's)i Worked In A Hospital Where My Rn Supervisor Could Not Change An Ng,peg Or Salem Sump Tube.i Had To Show Her How.i Have Been An Lpn For 20 Years And A Lot Of My Experience Came From Doing Home Health For11 Years.

[FC_boi]

here in CA i think LVN/LPN still have to take IV certifictation before they can deal with IV and all that stuff and i think your still going to be limited to just pass meds via IV but im not really sure...can you guys clear this up for me??

[florida gal]

depends on your state practice act. you can find it on your state's board of nursing

[mercurial1101]

We have a little joke where I live (Kentucky): The only difference between LPNs and RNs is ten dollars on the hour.

Like everyone else said, it depends on state and policy. For instance, as an LPN in Kentucky I can give IV pushes, hang blood, chart in care plans, do assessments, etc.

[FA to CRNA]

My hospital system has an all RN staff. No LPNs whatsoever, so I think that job availability is limited for LPNs.

[nerdtonurse?]

In my state and hospital, (rural), I've hung blood with a second nurse (LPN or RN) to verify pt identity, started IVs, pushed protamine sulfate (scary, pt was in DIC), accessed portacaths and started Cardizem/Natrecor drips. I've changed out the TLC lines and caps, and do all kinds of care for trach pts, suctioning, etc. Keep in mind, I was certified by my hospital and precepted before I did any of these.

What I can't do:

Can't pronounce a pt (takes 2 RNs if no MD, and on night shift, there usually isn't)

Can't start a care plan -- and I can only do a action, not an evaluation on an existing care plan (give me a break)

Can't do the initial interview, but I can do the inital floor assessment

Can't be charge nurse

I also know if I was in a large metro hospital with more nurses, I probably won't have had half the experiences I've had so far. There are advantages in terms of experience with being in a rural area on the floors, probably not so much in the ER/trauma/OB area, since we fly out anyone who is in deep trouble.