LPN vs. LVN Can't we just agree on a name?

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Specializes in Geriatrics, pediatrics.

What's up with the LPN/LVN situation? It's very frustrating that the same job with the same credentials is called by 2 different names. To me, it doesn't show the world a solid and substantial reputation and unified front when we can't even agree on what we're called. I wish a nursing organization would step forward and declare us as either LPN's or LVN's. Just my :twocents:

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I think it just depends on what state you live in, i've never heard a lpn in Kentucky call themselves a lvn. Cali and Texas are basically the only states that call them lvns and that is probably the board of nursing in those states decision

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I think it just depends on what state you live in, i've never heard a lpn in Kentucky call themselves a lvn. Cali and Texas are basically the only states that call them lvns and that is probably the board of nursing in those states decision

yup..

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Specializes in Geriatrics, pediatrics.

Well maybe California and Texas BON's should get on board with the rest of us :)

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I've always wondered what is practical about all of it.

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I've always wondered what is practical about all of it.

The skills are practical. We are trained to be skilled orientated in our attitude to the job.

Just be glad you don't have to deal with what us Canadians have to deal with. One province uses the term Registered Practical Nurse. The rest of the country uses LPN. In all of the provinces west of Ontario, an RPN is a registered psychiatric nurse (an RN who's focussed education is in Mental Health.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, pediatrics.

Why does it have to be so confusing?? A "practical" nurse sounds like you're saying you're "practically" a nurse. And to me a"vocation" means a religious calling... What about simply calling ourselves LICENSED NURSES? Registered nurses will still be the same.

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Why does it have to be so confusing?? A "practical" nurse sounds like you're saying you're "practically" a nurse. And to me a"vocation" means a religious calling... What about simply calling ourselves LICENSED NURSES? Registered nurses will still be the same.

I've been saying that for years. LN after my name would work just fine.

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The skills are practical. We are trained to be skilled orientated in our attitude to the job.

Just be glad you don't have to deal with what us Canadians have to deal with. One province uses the term Registered Practical Nurse. The rest of the country uses LPN. In all of the provinces west of Ontario, an RPN is a registered psychiatric nurse (an RN who's focussed education is in Mental Health.

That would really be confusing, being a Registered Practical Nurse and getting mistaken for a Registered Psychiatric Nurse all the time. And it would confuse me even more because I would be torn between the registered and the practical part of the title. Heavens, if there were a registered, licensed, and practical aspect to all of it.

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Specializes in LTC-Wound Care-Finishing OR course.

I agree. RPN title being used in Ontario is confusing. I am an RPN in Ontario and was wondering if anyone has information on how "easy" it is to obtain an LPN license in another Province in Canada? I am looking into Travelling Nursing, my interest is to obtaining 6-8 week contracts in the North Canada(remote)

I have been researching different Placement Agencies, and it really gets confusing.:(

Like everyone, I am sure, I do not want to spend endless hours, and money. So if anyone has ever gone through this process, any advice would be appreciated.

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I agree. RPN title being used in Ontario is confusing. I am an RPN in Ontario and was wondering if anyone has information on how "easy" it is to obtain an LPN license in another Province in Canada? I am looking into Travelling Nursing, my interest is to obtaining 6-8 week contracts in the North Canada(remote)

I have been researching different Placement Agencies, and it really gets confusing.:(

Like everyone, I am sure, I do not want to spend endless hours, and money. So if anyone has ever gone through this process, any advice would be appreciated.

Totally off topic but it's not easy or cheap to obtain multiple practice permits in Canada. Last time I moved to another province it took around three months and $500. Travel nursing really doesn't exist in Canada. The Far North usually hires for set terms like a year or 18 months. The government has to make the expense of the orientation and training worthwhile to them as an employer. They probably have their own batch of relief staff. Most of the nursing stations are staffed by NPs or RNs who have had ICU type experience. It's not really a place for PNs. Yellowknife utilizes PNs in their hospitals. But the outposts? Don't think we have the experience or skills to be the sole medical care for areas of over a 1000kms at a time. The nurses up there usually wind up delivering the baby or medi-vaccing the injured out to the south (after stabilizing them as best they can)

So right now in Alberta I'm paying $250/yr for my practice permit. I didn't keep up my BC permit because I won't be working there again and really didn't feel like paying another couple of hundred to keep it. I have my practice number out there and they can search out the records if I ever needed to work there again but I'm pretty sure they'd charge me the document and notary fees all over again.

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Specializes in LTC-Wound Care-Finishing OR course.

Thanks for your reply. Your right totally off topic..New to the site, and as I dug deeper I found my answer. Sorry about that.

I am been investigating TravelNurse.ca. We will see. I am just tossing around the idea. I am currently teaching the MDS within Ontario, so travelling is not a problem. But delivering babies would be!

Thanks again for the info.

Move to Ontario-License is $125.00/year!

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