Difference between RN and LPN

An LPN's restrictions are entirely dependent upon the state in which he/she practices.

For example, I am licensed as an LPN/LVN in 3 different states. My Oklahoma LPN license permits me to do basically everything except the initial assessment in the hospital setting. My Texas LVN license permits me to do virtually everything except pronounce death and IV push of cardioactive and conscious sedation meds. In other words, Texas and Oklahoma have very wide scopes of practice which allow me to do almost everything my RN counterparts can do.

I got my initial LVN license in my home state of California, which is one of the most restrictive places to practice. In California I'm not allowed to start IVs, complete initial assessments, participate in care plans, or do much of anything.

What are the differences between LPN and RN? They're educated differently, classified differently, and certainly paid differently. The LPN has 12 to 18 months of basic nursing education, whereas the RN has 2 to 4 years of schooling that involves more pathophysiology, assessment, and leadership education. Some would say that the LPN's role is more task-oriented. Many state BONs classify LPNs as "basic nurses," and RNs as "professional nurses."

Finally, RNs earn more money due to the difference in educational attainment and licensure. While there are some LPNs who earn more than RNs, this is often the exception to the rule.

The Commuter summed it up well.

I am an LPN in Connecticut and currently, I have 6 pts with G-tubes. I handle all meds, flushes, and tx to the tube. During school, I also had many many G-tube pts who I was responsible for.

I also just had a pt who was on a 10wk course of IV ABT that I was responsible for giving to her. I am IV certified and can administer many IV meds. I cannot start that IV, nor can I give the initial dose. But after the IV is started and the inital dose is given, that pts IV meds are my responsibility as is the changing of the PICC line dressing.

Depending on what State you are in, decides what you can and cannot do. Connecticut is one of the more limiting States for an LPN.

I have been trying to get a Scope of Practice for CT LPN's that clearly spells out what an LPN can and cannot do here in CT. Not really having much success with that. Our Boards Scope of Practice is so vague its hard to figure out what is and isn't allowed.

I work in psych, started there as a LPN, and at my facility the only things I have come across that LPNs can't do are initial assessments and ordering seclusions/restraints. The LPNs I work with are awesome.

It would be nice if there were some continuity between the states, but there isn't. In PA i can start the IV and administer IV meds....but not continuous infusion insulin or narcotics, no blood or antineoplastic agents, and no IV push except flushes. I can't do anything with a PICC or central line. There has to be an RN "in-house" at our SNF...meaning she may be in an entirely different building, but is on duty for that shift and supposedly responsible for all 139 residents, even though she won't see them. Having said that, I'm 172 days away from graduating from my RN program. I don't see the biggest difference to be the technical skills that the board of nursing struggles with, but rather more the total understanding behind how our body works and how meds work. That is not to demean LPNs at all...but I've learned a LOT about pathophysiology...and I consider myself a darned good LPN. I think that as an LPN I can tell you when something is wrong and probably how to fix it (meds, etc) but might not understand the internal workings behind that "fix." Hope that makes sense. I love that my nursing school (go Penn State) makes a point of teaching that LPNs are a vital part of the team. Most of the RN schools I've seen seem to look down their noses at us. Of course, perhaps my instructors go out of their way just 'cause there's 3 of us LPNs in there....who knows. Ut oh...I'm off on my own little tangent. Sorry. DOH was in last week and tore my MDS' apart....

My hospital system has an all RN staff. So, the main difference IMO is the availability of jobs outside of LTC and homecare for the LPN since hospital jobs are harder to get w/o the RN licence.

NY is pretty restrictive. No blood, no first IV abx, no initial assessment, no care planning.

Yikes...what DO they let you do??

Great point...I hadn't thought of that!

Sue don't have to worry about that anymore ..she is a RN...