LPN and RN-What does this mean?

[handyrn]

Just a question out of curiosity. I have been reading posts from people saying they are both an LPN and RN and even seen someone's user name indicate that they are both an LPN and an RN. This confuses me. I went to school and became an LPN and then worked for a few years. I went back a few years later and obtained my RN. When I was in school I was told that once you obtained your RN, you were no longer an LPN. Also, as far as the state BON goes, I had to give up my LPN license when I got my RN license. Therefore, I was always under the assumption that I can no longer consider myself an LPN. Besides, the SOPs are different. If you say you are still an LPN when you are actually an RN, couldn't that muddy the SOP practices?

And, if I could say I was still an LPN (as opposed to an RN) this would be great! I could apply for all those LPN jobs that are advertised. But no, they will not hire an RN for a LPN position because they would have to pay you as such. Heck, there have been dry spells where I would have taken a CNA position just to have a job. Which brings about another thing: If I am an LPN and an RN, then I am also a CNA, LPN, RN. And to add to that, why not CNA, MA, LPN, RN...the list would just keep growing. I was told that you are only the highest rank that you have graduated because those others that have less skills are covered under your title. (Which in no way means you are qualified. I have met nurses that never learned basic CNA skills!)

So, anyway, can anyone answer the question of why/how you can be both an LPN and an RN?

Thanks!

[prettyinblu]

I think what people mean is that they are an LPN and pursing their RN? I am an LPN and currently in school for my RN, however when I become an RN I won't be saying LPN/RN lol!

[mentalhealthRN]

You are correct OP-- you can't. Just like those that use RN, NP....you drop the RN when you get the NP..... and if you are "Jane Doe RN, ASN" then "Jane Doe RN, BSN" when you finish your bachelors you don't use "....RN, ASN, BSN".......lol. So it goes with titles as well as education. I guess it's just that not everyone knows.

[TanyaBRN]

I think people put it on here just so other users know their educational/work history. You wouldn't put it on your nametag at work, though.

[nurse simmy]

In my state, my LPN will be changed to inactive when I get my RN. I had a professor tell me that when she is ready to retire, but wants to work "just a little bit" she will put her RN on inactive status, and reactivate her LPN. That way she can just go in and do her job without the charge/management responsibilities. I think she said that with the RN being inactive, she would be held to the LPN standards of practice.

~Simmy

[agldragonRN]

i am both an lpn and rn. in my state (nj), i did not have to give up my lpn license after i became an rn. my lpn license is still current so i am still one. but my job title at work is an rn and that's what's on my id badge. i guess each state is different.

also i can choose to renew my lpn license when it expires in 2012 if i want to and i do not sign lpn anymore because my rn license supersedes(sp?) my lpn so no need.

angel

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

i have both lvn and a rn license. i had no choice but to renew my lvn license because it was due in april 2009 and i was not sitting for the nclex rn until june 09. however, for personal reasons i will be keeping both current.

[DizzyLizzyNurse]

Yeah I had to renew my LPN in July even though I just graduated (today!) as a GN and will (hopefully!) be an RN soon. I know ppl who keep them both current but they are held to their highest license.

[klone, MSN, RN]

You are correct OP-- you can't. Just like those that use RN, NP....you drop the RN when you get the NP.

No, you don't necessarily drop the RN when you get your NP.

I've seen people with RN, MSN, CNM after their names.

I think people can choose to renew their lesser licenses if they wish, but many (most?) people choose not to. If you don't renew your lesser license, then you wouldn't refer to yourself as LPN, RN (or RN, NP, or whatever).

[handyrn]

As the OP I would like to again state that this was not a choice for me. In the state in which I lived, I could not renew my LPN license once I obtained an RN license. I guess it must just be a state law thing. Given the choice, I would have kept my LPN so I could keep the title in addition to the title of RN for personal reasons that I chose not to list here as it would really offend some people.

[mentalhealthRN]

No, you don't necessarily drop the RN when you get your NP.

I've seen people with RN, MSN, CNM after their names.

I think people can choose to renew their lesser licenses if they wish, but many (most?) people choose not to. If you don't renew your lesser license, then you wouldn't refer to yourself as LPN, RN (or RN, NP, or whatever).

MSN and NP are not the same and not necessisarily interchangable. One is a licensure and one a degree. So you can have your MSN and not be an NP. That is just one nursing masters. I think that is where the confusion comes in is the mixing up between licensure titles and educational/degree titles. In the US you can't be a CNM without being an RN so technically this person would not need to use the RN title any longer. Really the highest licensure and highest degree are all that are needed. Being as a CNM can be a doctorate-and actually all NPs including CNM will be required to get a doctorate starting in 2015.....that is the plan anyways.

[klone, MSN, RN]

MSN and NP are not the same and not necessisarily interchangable. One is a licensure and one a degree. So you can have your MSN and not be an NP.

Yes, I know that. I'm just giving examples of titles that I've seen. The salient point is that in those examples, I've seen RN *and* NP (or equivalent).