Firing all RN's and replacing them with LPN's?

[argos]

Nursing student here. I need to find out why a facility doesn't fire the RN's and replace them with LPN's. I can't find a scope of practice for an LPN and from little research I've done they have pretty much the same job. Why am I even attending RN school if an LPN can do the same thing?

[missnurse01, MSN, RN]

Hello! I am an LPN and moved to GA 2 years ago. After many inquiries at the hospital and speaking with our nurse educator and the board, I have learned that there is not any nurse practice act for LPNs in this state. This is why we are allowed to do so many things here-as long as we follow hospital policy.

I work in the ER, and the only things I am not allowed to do are triage, due to LPNs not being allowed to do initial assessments in this state. I originally came from CA and there was always a BIG issue of what we could and couldn't do-and it varies state to state. When I called the Board before I moved here they told me I could do anything I was trained to do. After working in CA for a few years it was wild to come here and push all the IV meds-that drug book was my friend.

Hope this helps.

[nursepeachie]

I think what a LPN is allowed to do even varies from facility to facility... I am a LPN in GA and we are allowed to do everything a RN can except hang blood. We draw blood, initiate and maintain IVs, do IV therapy, push IV meds, initial assessments and care plans, etc, etc, etc,....

I plan on returning to school soon to become a RN, only because the pay is much higher in our area...

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Links to BON

https://allnurses.com/nursingboards-a-k.shtml

GA LPN Laws:

http://www.legis.state.ga.us/cgi-bin/gl_codes_detail.pl?code=43-26-30

In the USA, LPN's must usually practice under the license of an RN or physician.

[cinder06]

Hi I had this same question as well. My RN instructor for my CNA class told us the same thing that the nurses board of america (or whatever it is really called, I am unsure, sorry) is trying to make a clear law for every place that there will be clear and specific things that each certified or degreed person can do . Differentiating from CNA to LPN to RN. My instructor told me that hospitals are replacing RNS with LPNS for cheaper pay, and training them to do the same responsibilities because it is confusing from each state. Even some CNAS are asked to do some LPN work when they weren't certified to do so in class. My instructor said to watch that and make sure you have been trained to do so and refuse if not.

She also said RNs aren't going to be completely replaced, but fewer will be needed on each floor. I've also read that the burnout rate on RNs is 5-10 years.

I haven't done a lot of research it's just what I have been told, so don't take anything to heart that I said.