What is the main difference between LPN and RN

Nurses General Nursing

Published

I need to write a paper on a popular debate for a class I'm taking. In the rural hospital I work in there is often the phrase "LPN"s can do almost everything an RN can do, yet they get paid the big bucks" floating around. I am not agreeing with this statement or disagreeing with it...I just hear it a lot and would like some thoughts from other nurses....both LPNs and RNs for my paper. Thanks in advance for your time and assistance. Please let's not get nasty with each other....just straight forward comments would be appreciated.

Mim-O I could not have worded it better

This gave me a lot of ideas on the difference between a LPN and RN some of the stuff was helpful and I agree with most of it all

I think we are missing the point here. Skills allowed vary greatly by state and facility. The main difference is that RN's take management courses. RNs plan patient care, coordinate patient care and change the plan of care.

Specializes in ICU/PCU.

After looking at bls.gov (Bureau of Labor Statistics) at the occupational outlook handbook, as some kind person suggested on another thread, it made the role differentiation a bit more clear for me. Our school had the RNs and LPNs all together in the same classes until the LPNs graduated, then we RNs went on to delve deeper into the disease processes and treatments, along with leadership classes. A lot more "why," if you will. I'm still not cut and dried on what I'll be allowed to delegate to the LPNs, but I hope I've got it well enough to pass the NCLEX questions!

In Wisconsin, there are several differences between LPN and RN. LPN takes on only more stable patients, while RN's are assigned more critical care. LPN is always supervised by RN, (RN must be available either in the building or on-call) LPN can Not do the initial assessment, Can not administer any IV push medications, usually does not hang blood products. We can (depending on facility policy) start IV's, hang IV antibiotics and fluids with additional training. The LPN must report to the RN changes in patient conditions, and defers to the RN with any questions. I haven't ever seen an LPN in a charge role in my state, RN is always supervisor or "charge" nurse.

+ Add a Comment