I wish RN schools would quit teaching the RN students LPN's can't do anything!

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I am getting so frustrated with some RN students in these NCLEX review groups. They keep saying that LPN's can't do any assessments, they can't do any patient teaching, or evaluations, that it is illegal. I think it is important that RN understand the real scope of practice of the LPN. To hear them talk LPN's are no different than medication aids. It makes me sad that they are taught to think so little of our education and training.

I find that a little bit scary. Sorry. You can teach a monkey how to do a blood sugar, but do we?

Its not just performing the skills. It's the education that rn's have that an lpn doesn't. Oh, and a little thing called a license...

Since when does a licensed practical nurse not hold a license?

Your attempt at ruffling feathers is rather unoriginal and boring... 😴

This thread is still active?!

Nutshell: What is and is not in any LPN/LVN's scope of practice is defined by their State's Nurse Practice Act as well as the policy of the employer. It varies by State and by country. There is no one correct answer as to what any LPN/LVN can and cannot do in any and all settings. End!

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Its not just performing the skills. It's the education that rn's have that an lpn doesn't. Oh, and a little thing called a license...

I am not sure you are aware that a LPN holds a license and IS licensed by taking and passing the NCLEX exam.
2014 NCLEX-PN® Test PlanNational Council Licensure Examination forPractical/Vocational Nurses (NCLEX-PN® Examination)IntroductionEntry into the practice of nursing is regulated by the licensing authorities within each of the National Council ofState Boards of Nursing (NCSBN®) member board jurisdictions (state, commonwealth and territorial boards ofnursing). To ensure public protection, each jurisdiction requires candidates for licensure to meet set requirementsthat include passing an examination that measures the competencies needed to perform safely and effectively asa newly licensed, entry-level practical/vocational nurse (LPN/VN). NCSBN develops a licensure examination, theNational Council Licensure Examination for Practical/Vocational Nurses (NCLEX-PN®), which is used by memberboard jurisdictions to assist in making licensure decisions

I think Bucky failed to comprehend that the L in LPN stands for Licensed!

And don't forget "grandfathering".

In my country, LPNs have a 2+ year college diploma (which includes university level English, Psych, Sociology, and electives). Our education is the old diploma RN course. The RNs who graduated from these programmes are permitted to practice with out obtaining their BScN (which is now the entry to practice for RNs. Nobody has ever suggested that although they lack the university level Arts courses they should be "bust down" to LPN status.

Our skill set is very, very close to that of the RNs that we work alongside. It's widely acknowledged that an LPN who has graduated since 2001 has the same skill set and education as a diploma RN. We have both upgraded our knowledge through employer provided in-services.

So, that high horse should be parked.

I am getting so frustrated with some RN students in these NCLEX review groups. They keep saying that LPN's can't do any assessments, they can't do any patient teaching, or evaluations, that it is illegal. I think it is important that RN understand the real scope of practice of the LPN. To hear them talk LPN's are no different than medication aids. It makes me sad that they are taught to think so little of our education and training.

Hilarious!!

All of this depends hugely on the state and institution.

Over the years, I've been gobsmacked to see how all that changes when LPNs are on the floor. We then have magical powers to do anything and everything the RNs don't have the time to do, don't want to do or unbelievably, think they are too good to do. This includes admissions, discharges, patient teaching, assessments, IVs, IV meds… the list goes on and on. I've worked more than one shift with some precious RNs who actually say out loud things like, "I don't do icky, " or "Fat people are gross. I'm not touching one," or my favorite, "You know how they are. They are all histrionic drug seekers." And no, I'm not making those up.

And yet amazingly, we are all called "nurse" by the patient. Have yet to hear a patient say, "no, you can't help me. I need a REAL nurse, an RN."

Also have yet to hear an RN say "oh no, wait let me go. I'm the RN" when answering a call light! haha. :cheeky:

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Hilarious!!

All of this depends hugely on the state and institution.

Over the years, I've been gobsmacked to see how all that changes when LPNs are on the floor. We then have magical powers to do anything and everything the RNs don't have the time to do, don't want to do or unbelievably, think they are too good to do. This includes admissions, discharges, patient teaching, assessments, IVs, IV meds… the list goes on and on. I've worked more than one shift with some precious RNs who actually say out loud things like, "I don't do icky, " or "Fat people are gross. I'm not touching one," or my favorite, "You know how they are. They are all histrionic drug seekers." And no, I'm not making those up.

And yet amazingly, we are all called "nurse" by the patient. Have yet to hear a patient say, "no, you can't help me. I need a REAL nurse, an RN."

Also have yet to hear an RN say "oh no, wait let me go. I'm the RN" when answering a call light! haha. :cheeky:

I think where the confusion sets in is that the nurse practice acts are so varied in every state. I now live in a pretty restrictive state for LPN's whereas in INdiana they are pretty independent.

And yet amazingly, we are all called "nurse" by the patient. Have yet to hear a patient say, "no, you can't help me. I need a REAL nurse, an RN."

Here's a funny for ya: I was called into a patient's room, after an exasperated LPN (who was assigned to that patient, mind you) told me he "needed an RN". Umm....what? I went into the room, to see the guy sitting in the bed, and who proceeded to ask me "Are you a real nurse?" I looked at him deadpan and said "oh, you want a REAL nurse! I'm sorry, I'm only the artificial variety". Big smile. Him confused. Me walking OUT of the room, and asking his nurse to go back in and tell him the charge nurse has assigned him to HER. I, btw, was the charge nurse ;)

Dork. He didn't complain again, although I fully expected to have a complaint filed by the time I returned to work that night! Didn't, though... :D

It was illuminating for me to complete an RN bridge program after working for a few years as an LPN. I really came to understand the distinctions between what an LPN can and cannot do.

LPNs cannot do assessments. They can gather data for an assessment, but an RN always ends up signing off and taking responsibility. LPNs cannot do primary education. They can reinforce education delivered by an RN. In other words, the first person to teach a new colostomy patient how to change their appliance should not be an LPN.

In practice this is not always followed. Care planning is supposed to be done by an RN, but at my facility the LPN often add items to the care plan. There is a distinction though. Final approval of the care plan lies with people higher on the food chain, and not with the LPNs who work the floor.

The RNs are right. LPNs will seem to have more autonomy in an LTC setting, but in fact it is always an RN who signs off on everything.

Agreed. I think location plays a part in this. Here in NC, LPNs can initiate patient teaching and are taught in nursing school nursing procedures and how to teach patients how to manage equipment, supplies, etc. our LTC Facilities are full of LPNs who do everything. No RN to sign off.

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