keeping LPN license after RN

[ivorygirl623]

Can an LPN work as an LPN even if she has her RN?

[JP2011]

It may be possible, but why would you want to? If you want to be an LPN, don't go to RN school. I know in Michigan if you hold a CNA license and you become a LPN or RN you can never work as a CNA again, the idea is that with your advanced knowledge you will have a hard time sticking to your scope of practice, like for insurance purposes. I.e. in my facility Nurse Aide's can't start IV's, but PCA's can, even though you need the same CNA license to get either job, the company pays for different Liability Insurance per job.

[Murse901, MSN, RN]

You would open yourself up to too much liability, because you would be bound by the LPN scope of practice, but would be expected to think and act at the RN level of training. So, there would be things that you would be expected to do as an RN, but wouldn't be able to do as an LPN. It's a toss-up as to whether you would win if anything came up in court.

Better to ask the facility to have you on the books as an RN and accept the LPN rate of pay if it comes down to them not wanting to pay for an RN.

[Ruthiegal]

I would check with your state BON, I know in some states you cannot go back once you have the RN.

[chenoaspirit, ASN, RN]

Why would you want to? Just curious.

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

A friend of mine still is working as a LPN, but only because she hasn't been able to find a RN hospital job yet. She's doing home health as a RN to gain her first year's experience that way, so she can qualify for the RN jobs at her facility.