License Dilemma-LPN with new RN license

U.S.A. Ohio

Published

Recently I graduated my ADN program.. Aside from having my kids, I can't remember the last time I had been that excited.

I am currently employed (won't name the company)

After I took my NCLEX in mid to late July, I let my managers know that I had passed and had requested that they update my license information in the system.

I was given a quick email that it would be taken care of.

I did not renew my LPN license because it did not make any sense to me to pay the extra money, on top of all the money I had to spend just to take my NCLEX exam.

I contacted HR yesterday to inquire on how long it should take to update my credentials.

When I spoke with them on the phone, I was informed that they can't just "update" your license but rather, the only way my license information could be updated is when I get hired on as an RN. Trust me when I tell you, the reason I do not have an RN job yet is not from lack of trying. I've had telephone interviews and emails that nurse managers want to schedule interviews with me, it's just a sad, LONG process.

So, HR informs me that I can continue to represent myself as an LPN with an RN license. The issue is that the LPN license expires August 31st. After that day, I can no longer work as I will no longer have a valid LPN license, even though I have a valid RN license.

Had someone informed me that I could not just update my status, I would have renewed my license before July 1st. I just can't stomach the thought of essentially wasting 115 dollars to keep a license active just because they refuse to update my information. On the flip side, I can't stomach the thought of losing my job and my health insurance September 1st either.

Has anyone ever heard of this or experienced this? I can't find any policies in the employee handbook that covers such a thing.. I'm not exactly sure what I should do.

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Specializes in Peds Homecare.

That is just crazy, if they want to continue you with the same job, or not give you a raise for now, fine, but you are now an RN, not an LPN. Was this HR you spoke with? I would speak to your DON, and get to the bottom of this. Sounds like someone doesn't have a clue. I would not renew a license I no longer needed. Let us know what you find out. Oh private message the Commuter, she was an LPN first before becoming an RN.

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I currently hold an LPN position. I am ineligible to work that position with RN license. I know a lot (if not all of this red tape) is about the money factor. I just can't believe it's either pay the renewal or have no job in a little over 2 weeks. I'm not worried about the $$. I'd be willing to work at the same rate I have now, I just don't want to lose my health insurance

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I currently hold an LPN position. I am ineligible to work that position with RN license. I know a lot (if not all of this red tape) is about the money factor. I just can't believe it's either pay the renewal or have no job in a little over 2 weeks. I'm not worried about the $$. I'd be willing to work at the same rate I have now, I just don't want to lose my health insurance

Something strange going on here. ...represent yourself as an LPN with an RN license...that doesn't even sound legal.

Would your work be grossly different, in practice as an RN, than it was as a LPN at this facility?

Can you hold both licenses concurrently?

Have you checked with your board of nursing?

May it all work out well!!!

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Basically, I've been asked to pay the lpn license renewal (which is now 115 with the late fee) so that I have an active LPN license, so that I can continue to work. You can carry both licenses in Ohio. I can be an RN with an active LPN and still be an LPN. I just can't be an RN with an expired LPN license and still represent myself as an LPN (obviously). My roles would not change if they updated my status to RN... it's just not an RN position.

I'm getting mixed advise. 1/2 are telling me to just buck up and pay the renewal, the other 1/2 are telling me I shouldn't have to pay for a license I don't need, just because they don't want to change my status. I'm still waiting for feedback from my DON and Human Resource dept.

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I guess I'm not quite sure I understand. Have you actually been offered a position as an RN by your place of employment?

It is one thing to update your licenses on your credential list at the facility/hospital. However, if they haven't hired you as an RN, you will need to maintain licensure for the position which you have been hired to perform. I know know the ins and outs of whether you can function as an LPN once you are an RN, but even if you can, you still need to maintain that license if that is what your job is.

Not every company automatically offers a new position to employees who become RNs. I would clarify whether you will be employed by them as an RN and go from there.

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I came to ask this same question. I just passed the RN boards and did not renew my LPN license. I am currently working as an LPN PRN for a staffing agency. No one there can answer my question confidently. Can I still work as a LPN with an active RN license? And if I can, when I'm working and signing paperwork, do I sign it "RN" or "LPN" (if the job I'm working is technically LPN)? I'm not even sure what I just said makes sense. I mean, I know people who were LPN's in LTC and occasionally worked as aides. Wouldn't that be the same thing?

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Specializes in ER.

You could just contact the board tell them to deactivate you LPN- then you would have to be recognized as RN

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To work as lpn in Ohio you have to keep a valid lpn license.

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