What is the difference between LPNs and RNs?

Nursing Students LPN-RN

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I understand that one is a Licensed Practical Nurse and one is a Registered Nurse. I also understand the length of school is different and that the pay is different. Actually, I would like to know the difference between the job duties/hours etc. I have looked at older threads and I still cannot come up with a clear answer. I think it would be even better if there is an RN on here that used to be an LPN help me out with this since they have been on both sides of the fence. Thank you so much for your help and I hope this thread is in the right place.

Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.
im in an RN program, and my professor stated that the difference between RN and LPN is:

LPNS cant assess, hang iv's or do patient teaching...

Must be a "state thing". As an LPN, I can't do an INITIAL assessment, but I can do follow ups. Also, I do pt teaching everyday.

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Specializes in LTC.

In nursing school they really made it clear that once things got complicated with a patient the LPN was to hand things over to the RN. I work in a nursing home as a LPN. I think I'd get laughed out of that place if things got complicated with a patient and I tried to hand them to the RN. However I know I could have the RN use their expertise and help me figure out what to do. I work nights and if a resident dies, I can't pronounce death, so I have to call someone in to pronounce. I do everything else involved with the death (call the family, doctor, mortuary). The nurse pronounces and does the charting stating the resident is no longer alive. Also I know that I can't waste certain narcs (C2 and C3 I believe). It's not really an issue at the nursing home I work at now, as I don't waste narcs. At another place I worked at we were expected to waste the narcs within our shift if the resident passed or the narc was dc'd or something to that effect. Where I work now though the DNS wastes the narcs.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych.

I started out as an LPN then went on and got my RN, BSN. Truthfully, I have found that most LPN's wish they were RN's and this can cause trouble in the working world. I make much more money as an RN; however, most of my job issues that I have had have been with LPN's causing trouble for RN's due to being envious, devious, and being spiteful. If you are planning on being an LPN, be one and take pride that you are one.:D

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Specializes in geriatrics, IV, Nurse management.

As per the CNO guidelines in Ontario, I am an RPN, and I cannot look after an unstable patient. That is the RN role. I can look after a stabilized patient and share the role with an RN who can hang my blood/IV meds.

Truthfully, I have found that most LPN's wish they were RN's and this can cause trouble in the working world.

I'll become an RN when I'm good and ready. I want experience and knowledge first, but I can promise you, I'm not trouble:P

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych.
As per the CNO guidelines in Ontario, I am an RPN, and I cannot look after an unstable patient. That is the RN role. I can look after a stabilized patient and share the role with an RN who can hang my blood/IV meds.

I'll become an RN when I'm good and ready. I want experience and knowledge first, but I can promise you, I'm not trouble:P

I find that most LPN's don't go on to be RN's yet wish they were RN's. Be thankful you have an RN who would want to hang YOUR blood and IV meds. Most RN's wouldn't if they worked in a mostly RN facility with some LPN's who are left behind.:D

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Specializes in geriatrics, IV, Nurse management.
. Be thankful you have an RN who would want to hang YOUR blood and IV meds. Most RN's wouldn't if they worked in a mostly RN facility with some LPN's who are left behind.

I suppose I am thankful, however, the fact remains, it is in their job description at that facility (I trained there, but didn't get hired on, as RN grads are their preference) to hang the IV meds. 8 patients total split between 2 nurses. A team. 1 RPN and 1RN. We are not all trouble, just like not all RN grads can be as spiteful as I experienced at that facility. Gloating about getting a New Grad placements while the facility choses not to look at me for my skills (in Ontario, new grad pay and full time work for a 1 year while they find you a position is available to RPN and RNs). It was a rough go for me since I had never had issues with other nurses before and was a 5th semester student.

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.
Truthfully I have found , most of my job issues that I have had have been with LPN's causing trouble for RN's due to being envious, devious, and being spiteful.[/quote']

That's quite a generalization.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych.
That's quite a generalization.

My statement may be a generalization; however, there are enough RN's out there that can and would admit that the majority of LPN's want to be RN's and can't so therefore they do cause issues for some RN's. I have had LPN's try and tell me how to do my job, have made up lies about my work, eavesdroped on conversations I was having with other RN's then tell the supervisor a totally different story. I have heard that the ANA is trying to get rid of LPN's and I certainly hope they do. LPN's have one year of education and think they know so much. I had LPN's try to tell me how do my job, I don't think so.:)

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Specializes in LTC.
NurseLoveJoy88. Here in CA, LVN's make almost $30-$40 LESS than RN's do....

Also, LVN's cannot do assessments upon addmission...but we sure can anytime thereafter, even at the begining of a shift.

Wowsers !! I Wish this was in MD, that would mean I would get a 10 dollar/hr increase, instead of a ten cent increase when I complete my RN. :yeah:

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Specializes in LTC.
My statement may be a generalization; however there are enough RN's out there that can and would admit that the majority of LPN's want to be RN's and can't so therefore they do cause issues for some RN's. I have had LPN's try and tell me how to do my job, have made up lies about my work, eavesdroped on conversations I was having with other RN's then tell the supervisor a totally different story. I have heard that the ANA is trying to get rid of LPN's and I certainly hope they do. LPN's have one year of education and think they know so much. I had LPN's try to tell me how do my job, I don't think so.:)[/quote']

I'm sorry for your bad working experience with LPNs. Let me reassure that not all LPNs are spiteful. I appreciate RNs so much ! I love the fact that we are both nurses with our own scopes of practice but together we are able to provide good quality care to patients.

So far as LPN education, yes its ONLY a year, but I had to 2-3 years of prereqs, a rigorous year of theory and over 800 clinical hours primarily in med-surg and OB. That one year of school helped me to be a competent nurse and certainly helps me out a lot in RN school. I can't wait to join the ANA to persuade them not to try to get rid of LPNS as we are an important part of the health care team especially in LTC facilities.

Once again I'm sorry for your bad experience with LPNs. It seems as though you have allowed LPNs to cause you much distress. Don't give LPNs or anyone that much power over you. :)

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Specializes in LTC, Psych, Hospice.
I have heard that the ANA is trying to get rid of LPN's and I certainly hope they do. LPN's have one year of education and think they know so much. I had LPN's try to tell me how do my job I don't think so.:)[/quote']

Wow! So much dislike for other nurses! There has been talk for years about phasing out LPN's. Personally, I don't think it will ever happen. Most LTC's and ALF's are staffed w/ mainly LPN's. While it is true that some LPN programs are only one year long, not all of the are. My LPN training was at a CC and the program was 3 years with the first two semesters being 2 semesters of A & P, 2 semesters of chem, micro, psych, English, etc. The last four semesters were all nursing classes, including theory, and clinicals. I graduated w/ an AD in practical nursing. When I applied to the BSN bridge program my advisor told me that I'd basically completed an ADN program. I was trained as an LPN and do not consider myself an RN. I work w/i the scope of my practice.

That being said, I have occasionally told an RN how to do their job....when they are new to hospice nursing and have questions. Heck, my DON will sometimes ask me how I would handle a particular pt or problem. This isn't because I'm smarter than her, it's simply that I have 12 yrs experience compared to her 3 yrs experience. She doesn't feel threatened by me.

Anywhere I've ever worked, we've had great team work between the RN, LPN, and CNA. I'm sorry you have worked w/ some less than good nurses. May I offer you something a dear friend tells me when I'm upset about something someone has done? "Don't let those people live in your head rent free". :redbeathe Have a great day!

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Specializes in geriatrics, IV, Nurse management.
LPN's have one year of education and think they know so much. I had LPN's try to tell me how do my job I don't think so.:)[/quote']

Actually... that is a a lie. I have 2.5 years of education.

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