Difference between RPN and RN

[amani, LPN]

Hello everyone. I was just wondering for those that are now RNs after becoming an RPN, have you noticed a difference in responsibilities once your tittle changed? Or have you just been continuing the same line of work as an RN.

[Khow89]

It depends on the hospital what they set the difference in responsibilities. But with the nursing shortage I'm assuming the line for the difference in responsibilities is probably blurred. But I can say the main difference that is consistent is that RNs get paid more than RPNs. 

[hypnotizer90, BSN, RN]

If your're working with predominantly only RN's then you'll notice that the skill-set is much broader. You'll be asking "what can't I do?" Being RPN working in a hospital had limitations so the policy was my friend. 

[NurseMel88]

When I first upgraded from RPN to RN I was working in the community, so my role did not change a lot, but I received a raise. I did however lose a couple of my clients in the community because they were not approved for RN funding by the government. However, working for an agency, they just replaced those clients for me.

Working in Long-Term Care and the hospital can be a different RN role. In LTC there is often only one RN on staff at any given time, and they are responsible for the care of all of the residents in the building. Some places will also have them administer medications to one part of the home, eg. assign them that unit for a shift, however, they are often still legally responsible for the entire home, especially when management is not present. As the RN you answer to the Director of Care or Assistant Director of Care usually, as an RPN you answer to the RN and are only responsible for your assigned residents.

In the hospital where I worked, there again was only 1 or 2 RNs on staff between 3 units at any given time, 1 during the night. So the RN was then in charge of the entire unit and the RPNs working there, while also having our own patient assignment usually. Hospital policy can vary depending where you go so that needs to be looked at. Where I worked, only RNs were allowed to work with central lines, including hanging any meds through a PICC line, etc., but the RPNs were allowed to change the PICC dressings. That's just one example, but I don't think there were a lot like that. As a young RN, I often looked to experienced RPNs to help me and teach me the ropes. The main differences I have found come when there are emergencies or unexpected outcomes, experienced RNs tend to have the greatest critical thinking and problem-solving skills, in my experience. I remember as an RPN not seeing that RNs did much differently from me, but what I realized is that there's often a lot more responsibility involved in RN roles, both legally and literally.

Hope this helps