Do you renew both LPN and RN licenses?

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I bridged into the RN program as an LPN. I received my RN license last month and it will expire in November as well as my LPN license expiring the same time. I haven't found a RN job yet so I will most likely renew both licenses this year but what is the normal routine after that? Do I let the LPN license lapse after getting an RN job?

Our instructors at school had no clue how to answer this so any advise is appreciated.

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There's no reason to renew your LPN license (even this year). Regardless of what you're hired as, you would be expected to meet the RN standards of care. They are both nursing licenses but one is a higher level. It's kind of like renewing your learners permit after you have your drivers license. There's no reason to.

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Specializes in UR/PA, Hematology/Oncology, Med Surg, Psych.

I don't know what everyone does, but after getting my RN license I let my LPN expire.

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There's no reason to renew your LPN license (even this year). Regardless of what you're hired as, you would be expected to meet the RN standards of care. They are both nursing licenses but one is a higher level. It's kind of like renewing your learners permit after you have your drivers license. There's no reason to.

Just so. Let the LPN lapse and congrats on your achievement!

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Specializes in Pediatric.

Once I got my RN license I let my LPN expire. I will never work as an LPN if I have an RN license.

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Right now Im still working as an LPN and I will still need that license if Im not lucky enough to have a new job by the time December rolls around. That's the main reason I would still renew it this year.

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Specializes in Cardiac Stepdown, PCU.

Your board might not even allow you to renew it. I am in NJ, and you can't work under your highest license. If you're an RN, you can't be hired as an LPN or CNA; even if you previously had an LPN or CNA. My board won't even allow an RN to hold a LPN or CNA. This was just a discussion recently among a CNA who is in school for her RN. She was concerned about being able to work as a CNA after she got her RN until she found an RN job. The short answer was, no. One of girls in the discussion had previously been an LPN who became an RN and she said that once her LPN came up for renewal the board wouldn't allow her to renew it because of her RN. It did remain active until the time it was to be renewed; but her job had to let her go because once she got her RN she was no longer allowed to work as an LPN (maybe also a facility thing).

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That a bummer. Kinda puts more pressure on me to find a new job within the next 2 months.

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Right now Im still working as an LPN and I will still need that license if Im not lucky enough to have a new job by the time December rolls around. That's the main reason I would still renew it this year.

As someone else already pointed out, at the end of the day, it doesn't matter if you are hired for an LPN job. In the event of any controversy whatsoever, you will be held to the standard of your highest license. So what's the point of keeping the LPN?

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Specializes in mental health / psychiatic nursing.

The higher license typically supersedes a lower license so I think you only need to renew the RN license as the active RN license will inactivate an LPN license in most cases. You can continue working as an LPN until you find an RN job, as everything an LPN does is with in the scope of an RN.

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