Difference In Clinicals?? Is There Any??

BookwormRN · Mar 3, 2008

Well, Yes, there are differences in clinicals between LPN and ADN/BSN programs.

Of course, it depends upon the program you attend, so there is no way possible to address this question!

Let me just say that there are different scopes of practice between an LPN and RN; therefore, different focus in the clinicals.

Hope this answers your question. If not, please rephrase the question to be more specific....

Asia53 · Mar 3, 2008

What is the difference in clinicals for LPN Students and RN Students.
Is there any difference?
What is a typical day in clinicals?
Many thanks for your help! :wink2:

The main difference, as I noticed, is the emphasis on patient care, and your role as a nurse.

LPN-Assessment, some drugs (in my state, no IV),pathophysiology of the disease/diseases, mostly, work on your awareness of the patient's condition, how to take a patient's medical history, charting, etc

RN-Assessment, more drugs, especially IV, still patho, far more emphasis on being your patient's advocate in their care, and more effective charting.

Typical day-hmmm, depended on your patients, and where you did your clinicals.

My first clinical was at the VA for LPN. I had patients with as many as 9 differents diagnoses. I ran my overlarge butt off, trying to get things done, and complete my assignments. My instructor's emphasis was on total patient care. The other students, who went to other facitlities, were quite envious of us at the VA, seems they didn't have enough to do. We never had that problem!

Clinicals for RN-drugs, drugs, drugs, and their effects, especially, IV and lots of TPN. Although, IV starts weren't required for our clinicals, our instructor wanted us to try one. She made sure any procedures that would further our education, 2 or 3 of us would watch, or if possible, one of us would do it. These clinicals were more of a "connect the dots". What's happening with your patient during the disease process, what do you look for, side/effects of drugs, etc.

Your clinical instructors will make or break your clinical experience. In my experience, I either had good , or mediocre instructors, always the extreme.

Typical day for the all the clinicals is busy! You have your patients, and your school assignments. Emphasis is on time management. You'll be amazed how much you can do in 5 minutes. Also, depending on the speciality ( med-surg, peds, L & D, etc), L & D was very hard, not much happening, and L & D nurses are very protective of their patients. After all, you're only a student!

I hope this answers your questions. Also, I have to add, your school will have alot to do with your clinical experiences. I was lucky. My school wanted us to learn as much as possible at our clinicals.

Asia :)

EmmaG, RN · Mar 3, 2008

Not sure how it's done these days, but back when I was in LPN school, our instructors held us to a level that even the BSN programs in town didn't attain. We had full-shift clinicals and were expected (by the end of our program) to take full patient loads as well as do charge duties. It did so much to prepare us for the 'real world', and definitely gave me an edge once I went on for my RN (I wasn't in a bridge program btw).

My RN program was rather pitiful when it came to clinical experience. Had I not had the experience from my LPN school, I'd have been hurting indeed.

queenjean · Mar 3, 2008

My LPN program assumed that everyone was going on to RN--so we still did assessments, care plans, had to know meds and diagnoses thoroughly. Basically as RNs we were expected to manage care more, and to do more delegation (ie, taking more teams with aides). Honestly, there wasn't much of a difference that I could tell. Besides the IV med thing--in our state, an LPN must go to special classes to be IV certified.

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Mar 3, 2008

look up the nurse practice act for your state. In my state LVN's are not allowed to give narcotics, access central lines, design the plan of care, plan the education, do full assessment (acute care), give blood--- so they are not allowed to do those things in clinical either.

pagandeva2000, LPN · Mar 3, 2008

I graduated from an LPN program-never been to the RN one, but it seemed to me that both of them would have a pre-conference, post conference, instructed on the focus for that day, knowing the disease process, medications, nursing interventions and skills. We did learn IV in my program (I guess it depends on the state you reside in). I do know that the RN programs focus more on assessments, delegation, prioritizing of care, and management.

jackson145 · Mar 3, 2008

My school makes no distinction between LPN's and RN's during the 1st 2 semesters. Everyone is together and doing the exact same things. During semesters 3 and 4 the LPN's have graduated and the RN's get a semester of advanced Med/Surg and some Psych floor.