RN and LPN license in Minnesota....

Nurses General Nursing

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Specializes in medical, surgery/ob-gyn/urology.

I have a question. I just passed my RN boards here in MN about a month ago. Problem is, there are no jobs in my area right now for RN, so I am continuing to work as an LPN and wait for an opening. My LPN license is up for renewal in October. My question is, if there are still no RN jobs by that time, can I renew the LPN and still keep both? Im confused then as to how CEU's work and stuff, carrying two licenses, etc.... also, does anyone know if your RN license would cover your duties as an LPN, where maybe I don't have to even renew it, being I have my RN license now? I am confused!!!! Any help would be greatly appreciated!

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

You might want to contact the MN State Board of Nursing on this one.

http://www.state.mn.us/cgi-bin/portal/mn/jsp/home.do?agency=NursingBoard

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There were several LPN's in our nursing class. We were told that the highest license held by nurse was held accountable. Meaning, if you are an RN but doing the LPN job, you are still held accountable as an RN for standard of care.

Pardon my asking this, but are they paying you new grad RN wages? It is possible for you to travel a short distance to gain experience as an RN? Is there a real possibility that a job will open up for you as a RN by fall?

My guess would be that the CEU requirements for an RN apply now that you have passed the boards.

Good luck on your new career. It is good advice to contact the board for concrete answers to your questions.

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Specializes in medical, surgery/ob-gyn/urology.

I am making my same old LPN wage, because thats the job I had before I started school for my RN and its the job I STILL have while I am waiting for an RN position to open. The next nearest "big" city is about 2 hrs away, and I am not ready to relocate at this time. :( I am not performing any RN duties, etc so in a way its kind of stupid they hold you to the RN level, but wont pay you the RN wages........... ???

I'll have to find out how to contact the board of nursing just to be sure. I dont want to pay for the LPN license renewal if I dont have to. Thanks

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Yes, it is silly that you do the LPN duties but are held to the RN standard. I am sure that the highest license is what counts. I hope you find something soon. Good luck.

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I am making my same old LPN wage, because thats the job I had before I started school for my RN and its the job I STILL have while I am waiting for an RN position to open. The next nearest "big" city is about 2 hrs away, and I am not ready to relocate at this time. :( I am not performing any RN duties, etc so in a way its kind of stupid they hold you to the RN level, but wont pay you the RN wages........... ???

I'll have to find out how to contact the board of nursing just to be sure. I dont want to pay for the LPN license renewal if I dont have to. Thanks

Hope things work out for you. I'm from Mn too...and 25 yrs ago was told I had to let my LPN license go when I got my RN...maybe the rules have changed tho. When work got slow in the small towns up north nurses used to carpool down to the Twin Cities for work, I recall, work 3 12's and stay there...just make the trip once a week. :)

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What part of Minnesota are you living in???? There are a lot of jobs in southern Minnesota where I am. Are you looking at hospital or nursing home positions??

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Specializes in medical, surgery/ob-gyn/urology.

I am in the Duluth area, looking for hospital work... everywhere is currently over-staffed with no openings! :(

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Would you consider commuting? I mean, there's St. Cloud, and Forest Lake that are closer to Duluth, but also have large regional hospitals.

And, like a previous poster said, if you could get three 12-hour shifts in a row at a hospital in the Twin Cities . . . you could still stay in Duluth and just sleep two nights in MPLS/ St. Paul. Jobs are quite plentiful here. . .

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