Is it possible to obtain my BSN and work in the role of an LPN

[mmichelle93]

Hi, I am currently halfway to obtaining my BSN. I was just wondering if there were any people that knew or have been in the position of having a BSN and working the role of an LPN. I'm not talking about backtracking to go for an LPN degree when I've already made it this far, but I've read some of the roles of an LPN nurse and it fits into a lot of what I've wanted in a nursing role.

Basically I went for my BSN because I've been told that it opens up a wide range of options for nurses in their career. From RN positions to more managerial roles.

As of now I have no interest in a managerial role. As I've read of LPNs and have been told by friends, they are more interactive with patients, and although they don't get as many roles as RNs, I would be ok with that.

Really what I want to do is go into a role where I can start with the basics and learn as I work. And later it I do decide to move up, at least I'd have that option in this career. I've met LPNs during clinicals back in high school and fell in love with them and their roles with the patients. So far it's what I'd like. I know it might seem like backtracking from what I could do and have capabilities of, but this is where my mind and heart are currently: with the patients, and at the same time, learning as I go along in the career I love.

I really was just recently made aware that I would probably have to take the NCLEX-PN and that I would have to get permission from BON. I'm fine with that and if it doesn't work out, I'm not going to complain.

Personally I'd be ok with an LPN because I don't think I'd be suited for the role of an RN just yet. I still want to learn as I go along. I'm not counting myself out, and maybe I'll gain more confidence to pursue a higher role as I continue for my BSN. But right now this is where I currently stand, and it would be nice just to know if the option is on the table and if not I can still learn and grow in some other way as I go along.

[rob4546, ADN, BSN, MSN]

Maybe I am missing something here. What have you been told about the differences between a LPN roll and a RN's roll? the RN has much more responsibility and scope but as far as patient contact it isn't much better. LPN's don't have an enormous amount of time to spend with patients compared to RN's.

In my area they no longer hire LPN's in the medical facility. They instead hire MAs, PCTs (CNAs) and RN's to cover the needed responsibilities on the units. LPN's are usually just limited to clinic work. Even that is limited because some clinics have 1 RN that delegates and organizes the workload and MAs that do most of the patient rooming, vitals, and minor procedures.

Do some research in your area. Careful about who you talk to, word of mouth can't always be relied on. Ask some of your instructors how responsibilities are changing in the facilities in your area. Most of them may have worked in the facilities in your area.

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

Maybe I am missing something here. What have you been told about the differences between a LPN roll and a RN's roll? the RN has much more responsibility and scope but as far as patient contact it isn't much better. LPN's don't have an enormous amount of time to spend with patients compared to RN's.

In my area they no longer hire LPN's in the medical facility. They instead hire MAs, PCTs (CNAs) and RN's to cover the needed responsibilities on the units. LPN's are usually just limited to clinic work. Even that is limited because some clinics have 1 RN that delegates and organizes the workload and MAs that do most of the patient rooming, vitals, and minor procedures.

Do some research in your area. Careful about who you talk to, word of mouth can't always be relied on. Ask some of your instructors how responsibilities are changing in the facilities in your area. Most of them may have worked in the facilities in your area.

This.

As a former LPN, to be honest, there is no difference in pt contact between the two; as a new grad RN, you will start out slow; you will learn the ropes.

There is more of a benefit in being a BSN prepared nurse; as far as "learning the basics" you will do so as a new grad.

You need to steady the course, learn the role of the RN, and put yourself not in the position of fear, but of empowerment; you don't go into management as a BSN; I was able to get supervisory positions because of my LPN experience, but alas, I'm still a bedside nurse.

Shadow RNs if you need to in order to get an idea the role of the RN; you have the moment now to go for the most flexible opportunity; don't sell yourself shirt if you want to go into another specialty, or move away from the bedside when you plan to semi-retire; you won't regret it.

[akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P]

My take on this is very simple: yes you can get a BSN, earn your RN license and work as an LVN/LPN if you want. The lower license scope of practice is within your scope as an RN. The question is, why would you want to do that? As a new grad you'll be eased into your role and you'll learn how to be an RN as part of your new grad experience. If you worked as an LVN/LPN as a new grad, you'd learn that role and then you'd have to learn how to be an RN when you transition to that role. Related to that problem is that you'll be shorting yourself on your orientation when you go from the LVN/LPN role to RN role and you'll have spent your new grad orientation learning to be a lower level provider than your license allows you to be.

So... just work on earning your BSN, pass the NCLEX-RN, and learn to be an RN. You'll save yourself much time and aggravation in the end if you do things that way.

[applesxoranges, BSN, RN]

You will probably be paid the rate of the LPN.

[caliotter3]

It will be much simpler, in some areas, to maintain employment as an LPN if you do not obtain the RN license after you obtain the BSN degree. And yes, you will be paid as an LPN only, only a few employers will engage your education level (read: take advantage of you for less money), and you are highly likely to receive negative flak for being overeducated for your role.