LPN vs RN

[Mrs. SnowStormRN]

Geez! So many posts seem to turn into a LPN vs RN boxing match:argue:. When I was a CNA I didn't know what exactly a LPN did, when I was a LPN I didn't know exactly what a RN did, and now that I am RN I see the differences. Of course there will be some LPNs who can run circles around some RNs, as well as vice versa. We all have our skills and experience. We have our scope of practice but aren't we still a team of nurses? Can't we all just get along? :hug:

[LongislandRN23]

I think LPN's are great assets to the nursing workforce. There will always be a need for LPN's one way or another.

I read a recent article stating that due to the new health care laws it is projected that LPN's will be taking care of more acutely ill patients. That is why that past April the LPN NCLEX became harder to pass.

I was fortunate to go to a University where I took Pharmacology, and Med dosage with ASN students and BSN students. I can tell you that we all got along great. There were some LPN students who knew almost everything on anything and BSN students who were 1 semester away from graduating and did not even know what a diueretic was! So it can go both ways.

LPN school kind of just "happened" to me. Yes I got accepted into many RN schools, but decided on the LPN. Know I am happy I can work, make money, while going back to school for my RN. If I did not go through the LPN route I would still be in school, and not working. So it is different for everybody.

[N.U.R.S.E.]

As long as they can divide us then they will we need to stick together as the new healthcare bill is law bcz that means a higher pt count no matter what area you practice in if I'm fighting u then I am not paying attention to what upper management is doing increase workload decrease benefits they want u 2 do more with less let's stick together form one union strike and make it better for all

[demylenated, BSN, RN]

Honestly, I don't really care for being in charge. Mostly a pain in the *** Scheduling and more admin duties as an RN. I prefer the bedside. Some days I wish I had taken the LPN route.

This is the one thing I worry about... But, the job I have and the state I work in, I am a phase III Lpn with advanced certifications. I am allowed to do everything EXCEPT hang blood (which is why I am back in school. I am doing an RN's job and not getting paid for it). I am lead/charge nurse, I also flow and work for the Dr. whose clinic my clinic operates in, and I am the community educational nurse... so I set up classes and teach the community about certain health areas... So, when I get my RN, I'll be doing the very same thing I am now, just getting paid RN pay :) And, I still get a lot of hands on patient care and teaching opportunities in the community. I don't think I could ever work LTC again. I admire those that can. When I first graduated, I was immediately hired into a 2nd shift charge nurse position... excelled in it and was going to be the ADON in a year. I just couldn't take it, though. It is tough... mainly inspiring people to get in there and work, because we are soooo short staffed all the time

[demylenated, BSN, RN]

I've seen it get ugly on both ends. I've done both positions and seen both views. As you know LPNs have not worked in a RN position so it goes both ways (those who havent worked the position can only assume, which is never good). We need to all except each other as a team and stop pointing fingers. It's really sad to see.

Oh you are absolutely right... I didn't mean it any other way... But it always seems there is a one upmanship in the health care... cna vs lpn vs rn... Instead of taking a new grad under our wing we say what they should or shouldn't do, where they should or shouldn't work... Advice it great... but starting to nag and begrudge someone because of the letters at the end of their name is insane. Instead of a 35 year nurse thinking they could learn something new from a new grad they say we ALWAYS do it this way. Instead of a new grad saying wow, that is a great alternative, they say you need to catch up with the times.

ULTIMATELY, we are all there for ONE PURPOSE... the patient. We have a different role to serve, but it is still one purpose. If we could focus on that PURPOSE, and building each other up and ASSISTING each other, imagine where we could take the healthcare industry. Face it... management and admin is not going to make it any easier by getting us the amt of CNAs, LPNs or RNs we really need to handle a floor, so we really DO need each other... and not one is any more important than the other... just (SLIGHTLY) different roles.

[Mrs. SnowStormRN, RN]

As long as they can divide us then they will we need to stick together as the new healthcare bill is law bcz that means a higher pt count no matter what area you practice in if I'm fighting u then I am not paying attention to what upper management is doing increase workload decrease benefits they want u 2 do more with less let's stick together form one union strike and make it better for all

Excellent point!!! :up:

[Blue Crab Lover]

I am an RN and I work with an excellent LPN. She is my partner in crime. She is excellent. I wouldn't want it any other way. She is the best!!!!!!

[nursetiffany.]

at my job...rns and lpns all get along and work great together!! :) im a lpn by the way...

[3dayRN]

At the hospital I work at the only floor that hires LPN's is the Rehab floor. There obviously is a difference in what each can do but I have always believed we are all nurses and there are good and bad of each. LPN's play an important role in healthcare and I never understood why some RN's thought they were superior. My grandmother was a LPN and she is the reason I became a nurse. I just happened to become an RN.

[RyanCarolinaBoy, ADN, BSN, MSN]

Ultimately, I believe that everyone in healthcare should be there to function within their scope of practice and "take care of the patient!!" This arguement has gone on for many years and I suspect it will always be around. As for me, knowledge is the key. When I was a CNA fresh out of high school, I thought that the CNA's did all the work, and the LPN's would just "sit there and make money" :) little did i know...When I graduated LPN school, I was amazed at the difference in the roles/scope of a CNA/LPN and the difference in job duties/expectations.

Then, as a new LPN, i bought into the theory that "there's no real difference b/t a LPN and RN except pay." HAHAHAHAHA...I quickly learned the differences exist. LPN's are vital to healthcare, however, they ARE NOT the same as a RN. When I went back to complete my RN, i learned how little I knew about the assessment side of nursing. Instead of being about the task, as an RN, there is much greater responsibility on clinical pathways and patient outcomes.

And having said all of that, ALL roles are vital to the care of the patient. Each level has a unique scope of practice, and if functioning correctly, can really assist each other :)

just my 2 cents...

[lb289]

I think this will always be the case. It is made worse by those who haven't worked in any other position (usually RNs) and get that "high and mighty" attitude as well. Which is why I choose to stair step. I wanted to ensure I knew exactly what each person does and does not do... and make sure I appreciate each of my staff members. Another thing I definitely see that runs rampant and proves true by reading this board is "nurses eat their young." Wow... just... wow...

I just wanted to say that I completely agree with what you said. I have been racking , my brain thinking "will I get in RN school, I really want in RN school" I have been accepted into the LPN program and all I have been able to think is I just wanna be an RN, but you are right. It would be better that I know what each does. I am only 22 I have plenty of time to bridge.

[Mrs. SnowStormRN, RN]

Ultimately, I believe that everyone in healthcare should be there to function within their scope of practice and "take care of the patient!!" This arguement has gone on for many years and I suspect it will always be around. As for me, knowledge is the key. When I was a CNA fresh out of high school, I thought that the CNA's did all the work, and the LPN's would just "sit there and make money" :) little did i know...When I graduated LPN school, I was amazed at the difference in the roles/scope of a CNA/LPN and the difference in job duties/expectations.

Then, as a new LPN, i bought into the theory that "there's no real difference b/t a LPN and RN except pay." HAHAHAHAHA...I quickly learned the differences exist. LPN's are vital to healthcare, however, they ARE NOT the same as a RN. When I went back to complete my RN, i learned how little I knew about the assessment side of nursing. Instead of being about the task, as an RN, there is much greater responsibility on clinical pathways and patient outcomes.

And having said all of that, ALL roles are vital to the care of the patient. Each level has a unique scope of practice, and if functioning correctly, can really assist each other :)

just my 2 cents...

You said what I was trying to say but better, LoL!

[Music in My Heart]

More than anything, I think it derives from a desperate scramble to hold onto an ever-shrinking share of resources (compensation, that is).

In short, the more that responsibilities and authorities are pushed downwards to the less skilled and/or less educated, the fewer jobs and the less compensation is available for those higher on the ladder.

No wonder it gets heated.