How is being an LPN different from being a CNA?

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Hello all,

This is my first post on this forum. I am (or was) a CNA with about two years of experience and recently graduated and passed the NCLEX-PN. I'm also am planning to continue on with my education and am enrolled in a BSN program in the fall. I was wondering how is it being an LPN compared to a CNA? I've been applying for jobs and am pretty nervous because i'm so used to/comfortable being a CNA. Any advice or insight would be great. Thanks!

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The cans will now look to you for answers. You will have to deal more with families and doctors. You will be a great nurse because you understand the care needed to take care of someone. You may have to pass meds depending on where you work. You have to pay more attention to details because you will be taking drs orders. Make sure you get a good orientation before they throw you out by yourself. Good luck

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Oops I meant cna not cans! My phone is auto editing

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Specializes in Home health, Addictions, Detox, Psych and clinics..

You will be a licensed nurse. If you're in California, you will be responsible for medication administration via diff routes except for IV meds, just natural solutions ,even with a cert. you will be responsible for monitoring patients conditions, and changes thereof and reporting to RN and provider along with intervening as appropriate within your scope of practice in your state. You will be taking, transcribing, and implementing orders. Dealing with families, doing physical "assessments" although LVNs in CA can't legally assews so let's call it "data collect" lol. You'll probably do glucose checks, Pt and INRs, report findings, administer enteral feedings, skin checks, order meds from pharmacy. Depending on where you work, call in meds to pharmacy on behalf of provider. And more...

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Well, where I practice. You do everything the NA does, and everything but spike blood and travisol.. you are Charge in LTC and not in Acute Care.

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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

1. Higher income

2. More responsibility

3. More accountability

4. More authority

5. More supervisory duties

6. More politics due to dealings with families, doctors and administration

7. You are a licensed nurse...you now have a license to maintain

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1. Higher income

2. More responsibility

3. More accountability

4. More authority

5. More supervisory duties

6. More politics due to dealings with families, doctors and administration

7. You are a licensed nurse...you now have a license to maintain

@the commuter, are you right or are you right..especially on the 'more politics' observation.

I think the operative word is cover your 'behind' by documenting everything and I mean everything.

Congratulations & Good luck in your new role nurse

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How did you graduate from an LPN program and pass the NCLEX-PN without knowing your role as a nurse??

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How did you graduate from an LPN program and pass the NCLEX-PN without knowing your role as a nurse??

I was thinking the same thing! I fell like this was taught in basic foundations of nursing class.

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I was thinking the same thing! I fell like this was taught in basic foundations of nursing class.

Not to mention all that clinical time when you practice the role of lpn at multiple facilities. I'm a little confused myself..

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