Difference between LPN and RN knowledge?

emmy27 · Oct 28, 2008

My guess would be that you're expected to explain not just what you did but why- the physiology of the problem, the mechanism of action of whatever you did/gave, and the evidenced-based practice behind the care you provided.

That seems to be the difference between LPN and RN training as I understand it- same skill set, different depth of understanding of the rationales behind the skills.

But really the only way you'll know for certain what's wanted is if you talk to your instructor and ask her for an example of a good answer to the question.

amjowens · Oct 28, 2008

I'm in an LPN program, and graduate in Dec. I start a traditional RN program in Jan., right after I graduate.

I'm shocked at what I've learned in LPN school. When I first started, I thought it would be nice to work while going to RN school, just to get experience and earn a salary better than being a nurse aide. I was on a wait list for a semester, so thought, why not. Geez, it's been intensive. Pretty much all the first year RN stuff (2 year program), minus the pathophysiology is done during LPN school. I am precepting with an RN, and seriously, there's been a few push meds that I can't do, but ALL else, I'm doing. A lot of RNs don't realize the depth that LPNs know (or had to learn, but up to them to apply, just like RNs). I guess it's the totem-pole effect, just like BSN nurses sometimes think RN nurses are without depth. Kind of funny how it all is.

I'd look at your state laws regarding what LPNs can and can't do. In addition, overall, LPNs can do all of the nursing process except actually write the nursing diagnosis. The initial assessment (assessments thereafter can be done by LPNs) and the nursing diagnosis is the with the RN role.

BTW, LPNs are expected to know more than just taking action. We take med surg I and II, pharmacology (the same as RN pharm in our school), nursing concepts, and we better know why we are giving a med if in clinical-the effect, the physiology of the disease, etc. on demand if asked by a nurse.

jackson145 · Oct 28, 2008

In my state their are very few differences in the LPN scope and the RN scope. Mainly, where the RN is responsible for a certain task, the same task will be listed for the LPN but it will say "assist with".

So far as I've seen, it's the individual facilities that have policies on LPN/RN scope. At my place, LPN's don't hang blood, do IV pushes, or access ports. They can't be charge nurse or the only nurse on the floor (like during night shift, small facility). They don't do admissions or E/D triage, either. But, that's about the only difference (other than the pay).

Half the time they tell us students, "don't get too big for your britches", RN's have the same duties/abilities/jobs as the LPN's. Then, they turn around and expect us to differentiate between the roles. It's all so frustrating. But, hey, nursing school is all about frustration, right?

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Oct 28, 2008

Delegation is one thing that generally falls to RN's. You need to know to whom you delegate and why. Know the difference between delegation and assignment. In my state the initial assessment, the 24 hr assessment, the care plan and planning the education are all part of the RN's duties. LVN's are not allowed to insert Central lines or PICC lines. RN's may do both with appropriate certification.

gillytook · Oct 28, 2008

This is my understanding of the difference between LPN and RN knowledge. LPNs know all the skills and when to use them. RNs know why things need to be done and decide when they are to be done. LPNs have abasic understanding of pathophysiology but not to the depth of an RN. Both can follow a care plan, doctors orders and critical pathways. However, RNs know the nursing process and can write the care plan.

It is not so much a difference in skills but in depth of knowledge. RNs know what medically should be done for their patients in order to anticpate and facillitate doctors orders. Just think of fundamentals where you learned the skills and interventions to care for the oxygenation and circulation needs of patients. In pathophysiology, you learned what causes those needs and what the doctor's orders associated with those needs are going to be. LPNs are given all the same fundamentals with just an overview of the patho.

mama_d, BSN, RN · Oct 28, 2008

I'd have to disagree with some of the above. I think that there is a lot of misunderstanding of what LPN's are capable and knowledgeable about, although I guess that given the wildly different scope of practice in different states that's easy to understand. I still can't get over the fact that some states don't let LPN's take doctor's orders.

I'd be very interested to learn what those who have bridged from LPN to RN have to say on this subject. Those that I work with have commented that the single thing that really stood out is more management/delegation training, and everything else was pretty much a review of what they already know and use.

As a LPN, I better know why the doctor ordered what he did; I better be able to call and suggest/anticipate orders from him; I better know the patho behind the disease process and what effects it has on what systems and why, and be able to take appropiate actions if a poor outcome begins to be evidenced. Anything other than a thorough knowlegde of the how's and why's is dangerous to the patients.

TheFuture09 · Oct 29, 2008

My friend is a LPN and he tells me he feels overworked, i dont know if its cause its not what he wants to do or not. At the hospital i go to the LVNS do alot and it always seems like the charge nurse is doing nothing, cause i here the LVN complain, but the charge nurse may have alot to discuss even if they are just sitting there talking to someone, or try to schedule and plan out things for patients. I just learn from my clinical roations to not judge anybodys work just do your work to help because you are a nurse and you "care".

JStyles1 · Oct 29, 2008

the lpns knowledge and education just is not as in depth as it is for an rn. lpns may get a taste of things but its not as in depth

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Oct 29, 2008

Only an RN who once worked as an LPN can answer this question with complete accuracy.

Gauge · Oct 30, 2008

I am in a BSN program and the way our instructors explain it to us is like this: LPNs know how to do things, but RNs know why they are being done.

You may agree or not agree, I'm just telling you what I've been told. I'm not saying that LPNs don't know how to do anything but skills, but there is no way that they can get the in depth knowledge of an RN or BSN program in 1 year. It will have taken me a total of 5 years to get my BSN (first year I wasn't a nursing major), but it is impossible to think that an LPN has the same depth of knowledge as far as patho/anatomy/pharm as someone who it has taken 2-4 years to complete their degree.

My mother graduated from an LPN program a little over a year ago (same time I started my BSN program) and she has more experience than me, no doubt about it because she is able to work on the floor of a nursing home and do care and meds on a daily basis, etc. Yet, she still doesn't know how things interact and correlate as much as I do.

flightnurse2b, LPN · Oct 30, 2008

I am in a BSN program and the way our instructors explain it to us is like this: LPNs know how to do things, but RNs know why they are being done.
You may agree or not agree, I'm just telling you what I've been told. I'm not saying that LPNs don't know how to do anything but skills, but there is no way that they can get the in depth knowledge of an RN or BSN program in 1 year. It will have taken me a total of 5 years to get my BSN (first year I wasn't a nursing major), but it is impossible to think that an LPN has the same depth of knowledge as far as patho/anatomy/pharm as someone who it has taken 2-4 years to complete their degree.
My mother graduated from an LPN program a little over a year ago (same time I started my BSN program) and she has more experience than me, no doubt about it because she is able to work on the floor of a nursing home and do care and meds on a daily basis, etc. Yet, she still doesn't know how things interact and correlate as much as I do.

you have alot to learn still.... there is a big difference between knowing that and knowing how. don't forget about dr. brenner. things don't happen like mosby says they should.

LPN's are not robots who perform mindless skills with no knowledge of how or why. i love how people say that LPN's don't know why they are doing things. sure, an RN program may be more in depth as far as management and delegation, i don't disagree there, but do you HONESTLY think that any of the 50 United states of America would give a license to someone to dispense medication and care for living human beings of they didn't know WHY they were doing it. your instructors are part of the reason why LPN's are disrespected.

one of my clinical instructors was an LPN who became an RN a few years ago. she told me that for her being in RN school was a review for her and the only class she had alot of new knowledge in was leadership, management and delegation. she said she freaked out on her LPN boards, but it took her about 30 minutes to take her RN boards because she had the know that and the know how. she said she thinks she is a better RN than many because she has the bedside care that she learned being the LPN under her belt and thats why she likes to teach LPN's instead of RN's, because of the more hands on care rather than focusing on what the book says.

at the school i went to, both LPN's and ADN's take the exact same pathophysiology, anatomy and physiology 1 & 2, psychology and pharmacology class.