Do an RNs still maintain an LPN license after completing a bridge program

nurse_flo_marie, MSN, RN · Mar 8, 2018

If you've passed the NCLEX-RN, there is no reason I can think of where you would need to keep both active. Maintaining both would be extra work and money.

If you kept both in MA, you would have to pay the fee for RN in the even year and the fee for LPN in the odd year. RN is the next rung in the nursing profession ladder. I would keep the info on your resume.

AnnieOaklyRN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Mar 8, 2018

I don't think you can have two nursing licenses in the same state. Once you become an RN, your LPN license would assuringly become invalid as in most states you could not work as an LPN if you are an RN.

Annie

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2018

I don't think you can have two nursing licenses in the same state. Once you become an RN, your LPN license would assuringly become invalid as in most states you could not work as an LPN if you are an RN.
Annie

Good answer! And why would you want to keep your LPN? I could see if you had an RN and maybe a LPC or other certification....but you spent a lot of money to bridge. Congratulations!

Horseshoe, BSN, RN · Mar 8, 2018

Even if you accepted a job as an LPN, you would still be legally held to the standard of your highest license. With that in mind, why would you want to keep the LPN license active, assuming that your state would even allow it?

caliotter3 · Mar 8, 2018

Some nurses keep the LPN license. Depends on the state where they practice allowing the holding of both licenses and whether or not that nurse has a reason. Where allowed to have both licenses, there are some open job positions that demand the LPN license, i.e., an RN license is not accepted to apply for that job, so some people keep their LPN license for the purpose of being eligible for work in those instances. This reasoning also works in other situations. My state removed CNA certificates from all licensed nurses a long time ago. I applied online for a CNA position using my nursing license and my application was rejected because I did not provide a CNA certificate.

JWEMT · Mar 14, 2018

I carried both LPN and RN at the same time in New York but then I didn't renew my LPN. No point but maybe it's state dependent?

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · Mar 14, 2018

I don't think you can have two nursing licenses in the same state. Once you become an RN, your LPN license would assuringly become invalid as in most states you could not work as an LPN if you are an RN.
Annie

In my state it's possible. It may seem unusual or to not make sense, but some people do maintain both licenses. (Of course they have to pay the money and fulfill the continuing ed requirements.)

Crush · Mar 14, 2018

I kept both for a little while. I used to live on the border of 2 states so in the state I lived in at the time I used my RN. The other state I used my LPN to do per diem work there. Of course you are always held to standards of the RN license should you choose to hold on to both. But check with your BON to see what they say about it too. Might be each state is different with this.

OrganizedChaos, LVN · Mar 15, 2018

I wouldn't. You are held to the standard of your highest degree. So if you work as an LVN they still expect you to work as an RN.

Scottishtape · Mar 15, 2018

I let my LPN license lapse when I got my RN, but one of the students that I went to school with is still maintaining both. She sees it as a "safety net".

caliotter3 · Mar 15, 2018

I let my LPN license lapse when I got my RN, but one of the students that I went to school with is still maintaining both. She sees it as a "safety net".

Yes, for those people who live in areas where employers will discriminate between licenses for open job postings. It seems ludricous that an employer won't hire an RN to do an "LPN" level job at LPN pay, but it does happen.