differences in scope of practice for lpns and rns

1. I finally went back to school after 12 yrs of being an lpn, I am getting my bsn. I have to write a paper about the difference in scope of practice for lpns and rn's. I hate my life!! LOL The reason I went back to school is because When I moved from fl to wv the lpn is severely limited than in fl. In fl I could do more. In wv lpns cannot take a telephone order. It is in the LPN practice act. How insane!!!!! I want to ask for everyone's help and get some input about this. I feel I am not the first person to ask this but I have been on this site looking and I cannot find a thread that discusses this topic. I would truly appreciate your thoughts on this. thankyou for your help. Thank you!!!
2. 

   About slinkeecat

   Joined: Jun '02; Posts: 293; Likes: 53
   Forensic Pysch Nurse

   9 Comments

   Topic Closed
3. 
   Jun 26, '02

   Occupation: Worrywort Joined: Jul '01; Posts: 1,349; Likes: 16

   Have you used the website's "search" abillities?
   
   There have been many threads on this subject. The difference between LPN and RN has been hotly debated......over...............and over.............and over........well, you get the picture.
   
   Search the site with "LPN vs RN" and other such things and you will get more than you bargained for. You'll get a direct link to that thread thanks to Brian, the guy that runs this place.
4. 
   Jun 26, '02

   Specialty: Clinical Risk Management ; Joined: Aug '01; Posts: 2,345; Likes: 75

   You might want to check the nurse practice acts for your state. It might be available online. It is in Tennessee, at least. Those should give some guidance about the difference in scope of practice for lpns & rns. You might also want to check with a hospital in your area for their policy on which functions lpns are allowed to perform. This isn't all-inclusive, but it's a start.
   
   Good luck in your educational pursuits!
   Joy
5. 
   Jun 26, '02

   Occupation: Forensic Pysch Nurse Joined: Jun '02; Posts: 293; Likes: 53

   thanks for your help peeps.... I went on the search and found that this is a very heated topic.... lots of anger among the troops and it had to turn up the a/c so my computer could handle the heat lol thanks again!!!!
6. 
   Jun 26, '02

   Occupation: Worrywort Joined: Jul '01; Posts: 1,349; Likes: 16

   Your welcome slinky
   
   Controversy is not hard to find here, but then neither are veiwpoints you never even thought of before.
   
   It's a wonderful website. It even has a student section!
   
   Tell your friends about it.
7. 
   Jun 27, '02

   Occupation: Charge nurse Specialty: 5 year(s) of experience in Med/Surg ; Joined: Mar '02; Posts: 51; Likes: 4

   I think it all varies state to state. I live in KY and the only things i can't do ( I am a LPN) are, hang blood and runs of KCL, push drugs, draw blood from a central line, and do the initial assessment on a new patient. I know in IN LPN's can push drugs. So try and find out about your state.
8. 
   Jun 27, '02

   Occupation: Registered Nurse Joined: Aug '01; Posts: 997; Likes: 23

   I agree with eltrip. Check the Nurse practice act in your state. They can be found on the state Board of Nursing web site for WV.
   
   Good Luck and onward through the fog,
   Linda
9. 
   Jun 28, '02

   Joined: Jan '01; Posts: 79; Likes: 3

   You should have received the "Purple Book" when you applied for licensure in West Virginia. This book is very specific. It deals with criteria for determining scope of practice for Licensed Nurses and guidelines for determining acts that may be delegated or assigned by Licensed Nurses. This includes LPN's and RN's.
   
   The LPN code is on their Website. When you entered the BSN program were you not required to purchase the Code and Legislative Rules for Registered Professional Nurses? If not you can call the RN Board and request a copy of the Code.
   
   The Purple Book and the LPN and RN Codes should help you with your papers. Good Luck!
10. 
    Jun 28, '02

    Joined: Jan '02; Posts: 5,673; Likes: 159

    It is interesting to read how different states handle this issue....here in Texas the LPN is hardly limited by the state at all...he/she can work ICU, Labor and Delivery, ER, etc...anywhere IF hospital policy provides for this.
    
    In my ICU I work side by side with LPN's who do the exact job I do....no restrictions. Hospital POLICY says they cannot do charge or spike blood (go figure)
    
    But in our ICU we have a policy they can do whatever they are qualified to do...so if they have taken the balloon pump course, they can do IABP's et just like an RN.
    
    So....the state and the facility define the differences in scope of practice. Good luck on your paper!
11. 
    Jun 28, '02

    Occupation: RN Joined: Jun '02; Posts: 65

    In Ohio, LPN's cannot push IV meds except saline or a hep flush. They cannot hang blood, TPN, flush a central line. Once they have their IV card from the Ohio Board of Nursing then they are permitted to start IV's on adults in the upper extremities only. They ARE allowed to fo the initial nursing assessment on a new admit.

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