Differences Between LPNs/LVNs and RNs

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 25, 2005

check your State Board of Nursing and Nurse Practice Act for accurate info please. You will find the most accurate depiction of scopes of practice of RNs and LPNs there. Let us PLEASE NOT make this an RN versus LPN/LVN thread.

bcjams · Mar 25, 2005

I agree.

I was an LVN for 7 years

I just passed my Rn boards

But basicallyTexas Rn's are allow to work with more medically unstable patients. Most of my Rn transition courses were a review of what I learned in Lvn school with an emphasis on the patho and chemistry of the body. and mgt ..yawn

CA CoCoRN, RN · Mar 25, 2005

I agree.
I was an LVN for 7 years
I just passed my Rn boards
But basicallyTexas Rn's are allow to work with more medically unstable patients. Most of my Rn transition courses were a review of what I learned in Lvn school with an emphasis on the patho and chemistry of the body. and mgt ..yawn

Not to be snippy....but why become an R.N. if the info that you LEARNED to get into the role, you're "yawning" at. The whole reason behind the greater education (of becoming an RN) is that you learn WHY you are doing what you're doing, not just to DO. I don't think there's any yawning in that. *scratching head*

pkapple · Mar 25, 2005

short answer--

RN's have more choices and ops for advancement, a broader scope of knowledge, and often more responsibility and autonomy.

Oh and hopefully a bigger paycheck:chuckle (don't flame me)

zenman · Mar 25, 2005

Not to be snippy....but why become an R.N. if the info that you LEARNED to get into the role, you're "yawning" at. The whole reason behind the greater education (of becoming an RN) is that you learn WHY you are doing what you're doing, not just to DO. I don't think there's any yawning in that. *scratching head*

Desating maybe... :chuckle

Zachary2011 · Mar 25, 2005

Where I work , The only difference between an RN and LVN is that LVNS can't push cardiac drugs, dc central lines, dc picc lines, and charge the floor. In order to push even the non-cardiac drugs they must first be a nurse for 3 years and have at least one year exp. in critical care, ie: ER, PCU, ICU, CCU, etc. Im sure theres a few more reasons but just cant recall them right now but these are some of the everyday things. Why become in RN.....................? Silly question don't you think. If you do basically the same job as RNs why not get paid for it, and like the other thread said much more room for advancement w/ a broader scope of practice to draw from. I know when I was in school I learned just enough to hopefully not kill someone, the learning comes from the actual nursing and not the scantron tests.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Mar 25, 2005

In all US states nursing practice laws, LPN must function under the direction of an RN or physician. Registered Nursing is an independent practice under state laws.

LPNer · Mar 25, 2005

Not to be snippy....but why become an R.N. if the info that you LEARNED to get into the role, you're "yawning" at. The whole reason behind the greater education (of becoming an RN) is that you learn WHY you are doing what you're doing, not just to DO. I don't think there's any yawning in that. *scratching head*

She was yawning at the management classes. Not every nurse wants to be a manager and find management classes a bit boring. This does not affect ones nursing care, understanding of patho, or anything else concerned with being a staff nurse.

lady_jh_98 · Mar 25, 2005

Is there a difference between an LPN and a LVN?

Zachary2011 · Mar 25, 2005

LVN and LPN are the exact same liscense, ones vocational and ones practical, it just depends the state your in on which title you have, I believe texas is the only state that calls an LPN an LVN.......... no difference in the two at all.

LPNer · Mar 25, 2005

In all US states nursing practice laws, LPN must function under the direction of an RN or physician. Registered Nursing is an independent practice under state laws.

And if you are an RN who is not the charge nurse, you too work under the direction of an RN.

I don't understand why you think that is a big thing?

I've been an LPN since 1977, I've never considered that to be a big thing. Being the charge nurse? Been there, done that in acute care as well as LTC. JCAHO has made the rules a bit stricter since then (acute care charge nurse) but it doesn't bother me in the least.

Not being an independent practitioner is no big deal in the hospital or LTC facility.