Can I still work as an LPN after I become an RN?

SDALPN · Sep 17, 2014

This question is asked all the time. My nursing program even went over the answer to that question.

You can work as a CNA, LPN, or RN. You will be held to the standards of RN level of care. But the facility insurance nay not allow you to go outside of the scope of practice of the position you are doing. So if you work as a CNA, you wouldn't be giving meds because the facility isn't insured for CNAs to give meds since its outside of their scope of practice. But if you don't report to your supervisor something obvious to us as a nurse, you could be held responsible even if its something a CNA (or whatever level of care you provide) wouldn't know to report.

You may be paid less depends on your employer. My employer has asked me to cover CNA cases and pays me my regular rate. But some places pay less.

caliotter3 · Sep 17, 2014

You can work under the conditions that exist between you and the employer. If you want to stay at the LPN level and they agree to it, fine. If they tell you that you must move into an RN role at their place of employment, then your pay should be at the RN level too. I once knew an RN at our facility who worked as a CNA at the hospital. Now, all of this depends upon the legality of holding and working under both licenses in your particular state.

PomMom65 · Sep 18, 2014

I have a friend that maintains both LPN and RN licenses. I plan on doing the same.

SDALPN · Sep 18, 2014

Some state boards won't slow that. And why would you need an LPN license when you have RN. RN covers and exceeds the LPN score of practice. That just seems silly and sounds like a misunderstanding of scope of practice, how licensing works, etc. Plus you are paying more money to the BON for no reason. If you're in a state that requires a certain number of hours and CEUs, you'd have to work this hours as an LPN and work the required hours as an RN. Really, just call your BON. I'm sure they will tell you the same.

vokaybo · Sep 18, 2014

Depends on your state board.

OBigdog26, MSN, RN, NP · Sep 18, 2014

You will be held accountable to the highest professional licensure. Check with your BON to make sure. I don't know why you would work as an LPN if you already have your RN!

SDALPN · Sep 18, 2014

You will be held accountable to the highest professional licensure. Check with your BON to make sure. I don't know why you would work as an LPN if you already have your RN!

There are reasons to work in a different position. Sometimes just to fill in for someone. Nothing wrong with it. I don't understand why people complicate this and make it such a big deal. Its quite simple.

CT Pixie, BSN, RN · Sep 18, 2014

In CT you can work 'below' your level of license/practice... such as an LPN working as a CNA. You must stay within the scope of practice for the job you are doing at that time. So an LPN working a shift as a CNA cannot do the things an LPN can and must only do what is in the scope of the CNA practice (my LTC facility at one point was asking LPNs to come in and work as a CNA due to short staffing, we all inquired with the BON and were told and sent in writing that you can work below your license level but you MUST stay within the scope of the job you are working at that point. If you do that there is no fear of anything going against/held against your license. If you go outside the scope, you can and will be held accountable). An RN can work as an LPN but they must work within the scope of the LPN and not RN.

So its different for all States. And for what its worth, I had my LPN and RN licenses active at the same time. I had renewed my LPN license in April 2013 and rec'd my RN license in June 2013. So for a time I had two active licenenes. The State BON also sent me renewal paperwork for both when both were due to expire. You can hold both in CT. Although, why you would is beyond me.

OBigdog26, MSN, RN, NP · Sep 18, 2014

There are reasons to work in a different position. Sometimes just to fill in for someone. Nothing wrong with it. I don't understand why people complicate this and make it such a big deal. Its quite simple.

I'm a RN and would gladly fill in as an RN. However, I will not change my scope of practice to fill in as a CNA or LPN. That's just ludicrous!

SDALPN · Sep 18, 2014

I'm a RN and would gladly fill in as an RN. However, I will not change my scope of practice to fill in as a CNA or LPN. That's just ludicrous!

I'm going to come across wrong. But it seems like the ones who won't work with a different title feel like they are too good to work at that level. Work is work and if my company will pay me the same, who cares? At any level, we should give good care. It doesn't matter if its changing a diaper and taking trash out or if its pushing an IV med. It amazes me people are so stuck on a title. You know who you are and what you know, who cares what others think!

This is why a Dr office can't hire for a receptionist...they must call it scheduling coordinator or some other variation just to make the employee feel better. It's still the same job.

OBigdog26, MSN, RN, NP · Sep 18, 2014

I'm going to come across wrong. But it seems like the ones who won't work with a different title feel like they are too good to work at that level. Work is work and if my company will pay me the same, who cares? At any level, we should give good care. It doesn't matter if its changing a diaper and taking trash out or if its pushing an IV med. It amazes me people are so stuck on a title. You know who you are and what you know, who cares what others think!
This is why a Dr office can't hire for a receptionist...they must call it scheduling coordinator or some other variation just to make the employee feel better. It's still the same job.

I'm not taking about titles! But if your company is willing to pay you the same amount to perform a job with less responsibility, then they are not utilizing their resources appropriately.