Difference between RNs and LPNs and what they can do.

catlady, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2006

Here is an interesting article that reviews some of the differences between the RN and the LPN. Scroll down to Appendix B for the IV standards. But you need to research the Nurse Practice Act in your state for the specifics, as the states' rules all differ.

http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/healthworkforce/reports/lpn/lpn6_C.htm

Trauma Columnist · Jul 7, 2006

Hi and welcome. Good advice to contact your state board of nursing. There are many variations in duties/tasks of an LPN and RN. Good luck in school.

LADYFLOWER · Jul 7, 2006

Here is an interesting article that reviews some of the differences between the RN and the LPN. Scroll down to Appendix B for the IV standards. But you need to research the Nurse Practice Act in your state for the specifics, as the states' rules all differ.
http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/healthworkforce/reports/lpn/lpn6_C.htm

Thanks for providing the link, Catlady!

Little Panda RN, ASN, RN · Jul 7, 2006

I'm a former Paramedic who is a Resident Assistant at an assisted living facility. I am starting CNA school on Monday, July 10. As a Paramedic I could do things that RNs could not do, such as intubate patients. Am I right to understand that LPNs cannot push iv meds but RNs can? What is the difference in the LPN nursing classes and the RN nursing classes? I am going through the LPN program here in SC because the wait list for the colleges in my area are at least 3 years long. I am only going to wait a year to get started on the LPN program and by that time, I"ll have my pre-reqs finished. Is there a pharmacology class that LPNs can take and be allowed to push iv meds? Do LPN programs offer pharmacology or is that just part of the RN programs? Is there a LPN that can take an IV class and start IVs? I really like this site and have found many useful threads that have helped me learn things. Thank you for that. I'll be a nursing student this fall and I just have not found much other than here to answer these questions. I don't know what the different nursing classes are? Is there a place here that will help me to understand these things while going to school? Thank you for a good web site. Beth in SC

I am an LPN in North Dakota and I am IV certified and yes I can push meds by IV. I however can not push any vasoactive meds or hang blood products nor monitor the patient recieving blood products. I am allowed to start heparin, titrate drips according to protocol. I start IV's hang IVPB and all that goes along with being IV certified. I however have been through a 2 year associated degree program. Not sure if that is why we are allowed to do so much or not.

P_RN, ADN, RN · Jul 7, 2006

Welcome fellow South Carolinian. In our state the BON is under Labor licensing and regulation (LLR).

http://www.llr.state.sc.us/

http://www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/Nursing/ and of course the Legislature has their say

http://www.scstatehouse.net/code/t40c033.htm That's the Nurse Practice Act.