LVNs say they are equal to RNs...how true is this? much more schooling... - Page 4

Please don't flame me, not trying to stoke the fires or beat any long dead horses. When I was a scrub tech it initially was a matter of practicality when I decided RN over LPN school. Because specifically in OR terms that meant unless I became an RN, I still could not circulate and would still be only a little better off than I was before except for a slight increase in pay but no additional responsibilities in spite of new knowledge that I would learn as an LPN. So RN school was something for me that was not as limiting career-wise, financially and if I left the OR, other doors would be opened. I assume this is an AORN recommendation which all hospitals follow and that is only an RN can circulate and being in charge of an OR. I'm not going to address how it's done in the military, only civilian world because they are different. Whether we like it or not, hierarchy in healthcare has and always will exist. Respect and appreciation of each person's role and responsibilities is the essence of what being part of the kind of teamwork which makes for excellent patient are. We all have unique and special talents but as job roles evolve they blur our previous understanding of what it means to be a nurse, a tech, and the rest of the alphabet soup initials that make up healthcare.

Hey everyone, i am a second year nursing student (RN) and i notice a lot of controversy about LVNs saying they do exactly what a RN does. Can someone clarify the two??? i have an idea, but would like to know the major differences. Our LVNs come in our second semester after the first six weeks!! wow that's a huge diff in school. We almost have 2.5 semesters more of study than them. I absolutely have nothing against LVNs, but there are plenty out there that continuously say this. I have worked with amazing LVNs and yes they are huge huge huge assets for a RN and not to mention a patient. I just would really like to know the huge differences....is it really that simple "oh they can't push blood, push any IV meds, or do care plans" (which is huge, well at least in nursing school lol). Thanks for you input :spin:

Wild Irish, I was just about to go on your thread and start up a chant of "LPNs forever, RNs never!" sadly it got padlocked before I had the chance.



(and I really hope people have enough of a sense of humor to realize when someone's being facetious. I think it's dumb for a LPN to say they're "equal" to a RN. The law begs to differ. And it's equally dumb for a RN to play down the status of LPN)