Can RN's moonlight as LPN"s?

[haitianrn]

To earn extra $$, can an RN work as an LPN, or is that prohibited?

Thanks.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

The problem I see is that you would still be held to the standard of an RN. Just curious - why you would want to do this?

[RN1989]

You can accept a position that an LPN would have at the LPN rate. However, you will be held to the standards of practice of an RN and must practice accordingly.

[NeosynephRN]

Wouldn't you make more money moonlighting as an RN? I know there may not be jobs open you are interested in...I know I have heard of some places here that do allow that...some that do not.

[caliotter3]

In my state an RN can work in an LVN position, but they are held to the RN standard of practice. There are RNs who work in CNA positions, but again, they are held to the RN standard of practice. It is not advisable to do this.

[katfishLPN]

I am under the impression that you actually have to have an LPN license to work as an LPN even if you are an RN.

[racing-mom4, BSN, RN]

I am an RN and have worked as a CNA when there was a hole in the schedule. I was paid RN wages. This is not something our hospital does alot, but has been known to do it many times on an as needed basis. I have also worked as a ward clerk and was paid RN wages.

[rosygirl]

I am under the impression that you actually have to have an LPN license to work as an LPN even if you are an RN.

Very good point katfishLPN.

As with most things in nursing, it all depends on what your state's nurse practice act dictates.

[suzanne4, RN]

LPN role is that of one as a licensed job and requires an LPN license in most instances. Depending on where the job is, the RN may cover for one and perform the duties of the LPN, same way that they may cover and perform the duties of the CNA or even the ward secretary, but they are still held to RN responsibilities.

As far as getting hired in an LPN category when is actually an RN is going to be difficult as employers are also aware of this requirement.

[jjjoy, LPN]

The problem I see is that you would still be held to the standard of an RN. Just curious - why you would want to do this?

I don't know why the OP was asking, but one reason an RN might be considering an LPN role is if there happens to be an opening for an LPN, but not for an RN, with a nearby facility that has just the right hours and is in a preferred environment.

I know I was curious about the same thing when there were LPN openings at a well-run private hospice facility. The facility only hired a few RNs as charge. I was interested in working there because I liked the environment and it was well-staffed, but I wasn't comfortable with the idea of starting out there as charge. The charge RN supervised several LPNs and took responsibility for all of the patients in facility (eg calls to MDs, deciding when to send pts out, etc). I didn't feel I had enough experience for that role. There also were more openings available for LPNs there, making for more flexible scheduling as well (compared to the few RNs who seemed to have their shifts set in stone). I would've been more than willing to take lower pay to work at this well-staffed (read: very reasonable patient load) and to not have to be responsible for the charge role. But I was told I couldn't apply to be a non-charge nurse because I had a RN license and all of the non-charge nurse positions required an LPN license.

It was disappointing that I couldn't work there but I had to accept that.

I still don't quite get why an RN working in a LPN or NA role is considered "dangerous because you're still being held to RN standards." An RN working the LPN or NA role isn't doing anything out of their scope of practice. I don't see why there'd be a substantial increased risk that they wouldn't perform up to RN standards in their circumscribed role as opposed to when they are taking on full RN duties. Is it that an RN might held more liable than an NA for missing some vital symptom if a lawsuit were brought against them? But that sounds reasonable and not more risky than working as an RN. Is it that if the supervising RN makes a poor judgement that the RN-in-LPN-role will be held more liable than an LPN in the same situation? Wouldn't it depend upon the RN's experience and if the RN *clearly* knew that the supervising RN's judgement was wrong and didn't follow up with the chain of command? Again, how is that more dangerous than everyday RN liability risks?

[CHATSDALE]

usually you can work in a lesser position than your license but you are held as noted before to a rn responsibility

if the facility is willing to hire you and you are willing to accept a lower rate of pay i believe it would be legal but i think that you can earn more by accepting ot or working agency as an rn

interesting question

[Sarah Bellum]

I know this isn't what you asked but there is an LPN that works on my floor as an aide and an RN that will occasionally take extra shifts as an aide.