LPN vs RN

Nursing Students LPN-RN

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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:

Specializes in LTC.

I am glad I'm a LPN. I go to a CC where RN and LPN students are in the same class , learn the same concepts, and have the same clinical. So far as me not learning how to assess or only being about a task is impossible, since we learned these things together.

The difference I have learned and appreciate is that LPN and RN have different scopes of practice but are both vital in healthcare.

I'm was a CNA, currently LPN, graduating from ADN this december, and plan to start BSN next year.

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I'm just gonna say this...we all have been puked on, pooped on and told off...so at the end of the day yeah we are all nurses.

lol so true!

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I am glad I'm a LPN. I go to a CC where RN and LPN students are in the same class , learn the same concepts, and have the same clinical. So far as me not learning how to assess or only being about a task is impossible, since we learned these things together.

The difference I have learned and appreciate is that LPN and RN have different scopes of practice but are both vital in healthcare.

I'm was a CNA, currently LPN, graduating from ADN this december, and plan to start BSN next year.

I went to an LPN program such as this. The LPNs & RNs both go through the same training. The only difference is the RNs get two more semesters of management type nursing classes. I felt we were all equal...

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Specializes in LTC.
I went to an LPN program such as this. The LPNs & RNs both go through the same training. The only difference is the RNs get two more semesters of management type nursing classes. I felt we were all equal...

The difference was that RN students continued on with two more semesters. The LPN students had to take an additional 8 week course that was a overview of the two RN semester. Being in the RN program now, it really was not a HUGE difference in my opinion. The scope of practice is different, however LPN student learned assessments and how to critically think as well. Every program is different.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
The difference I have learned and appreciate is that LPN and RN have different scopes of practice but are both vital in healthcare.
I don't see how the LVN role is vital. Perhaps in a world where there really were a shortage of nurses that would be true but in the reality of a nursing glut, I just don't see it.

I don't mean that in any pejorative sense and I work with an LVN who's an excellent nurse but I don't see where the LVN role provides any benefit beyond saving the hospital a few bucks on the pay rate.

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I don't see how the LVN role is vital. Perhaps in a world where there really were a shortage of nurses that would be true but in the reality of a nursing glut, I just don't see it.

I don't mean that in any pejorative sense and I work with an LVN who's an excellent nurse but I don't see where the LVN role provides any benefit beyond saving the hospital a few bucks on the pay rate.

Let's leave it at, if my province eliminated LPNs they would be short nearly 7000 OR, Dialysis, School, Acute, and LTC nurses.

We don't have a glut of nurses. We have a lack of nurses who want to work the truly horrible rotations, poorly managed units, or spectaculary understaffed LTC facilities.

I make the same wage as a first year RN, so in reality, I'm NOT saving my Health Authority a dime.

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Specializes in Step-Down.
I don't see how the LVN role is vital. Perhaps in a world where there really were a shortage of nurses that would be true but in the reality of a nursing glut, I just don't see it.

I don't mean that in any pejorative sense and I work with an LVN who's an excellent nurse but I don't see where the LVN role provides any benefit beyond saving the hospital a few bucks on the pay rate.

So I guess CNA's are not vital either? Or what about physician assistants, ect. LPN's are nurses and each state is different but here in NY an LPN can do all the things an RN can do except IV push and assesments. So yes they are a vital role in healthcare.

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Specializes in M/S, Travel Nursing, Pulmonary.

When I was doing my externship I worked with an LPN who still, to this day, remains in my little list of nurses I want to emulate. She was the one who never stressed about anything, never complained about assignments or anything else, total team player. I don't have a problem saying they are a viable, valuable part of the team. Although..........I'll never understand why anyone would want to work as hard as they do for so much less money.

With that said, sometimes being alongside an LPN is just that little bit extra I have to do (pushing IV meds for them, doing admit assessments) that I can't handle. This sometimes makes dirty words run through my mind on my days that are already busy.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
So I guess CNA's are not vital either? Or what about physician assistants, ect. LPN's are nurses and each state is different but here in NY an LPN can do all the things an RN can do except IV push and assesments. So yes they are a vital role in healthcare.
If you'd like to debate CNAs or PAs, knock yourself out. Those roles, however, are not analogous to the LPN role.

I understand that LPNs can do most of what RNs can do. What I don't understand is how the role adds any more value to the system than simply combining the two into one single nursing role. What is the model where LPNs and RNs working together provides more value or more efficiency than simply having all RNs? Why is it not more logical to simply have a single nursing role? I'm really trying to understand.

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Specializes in Step-Down.
If you'd like to debate CNAs or PAs, knock yourself out. Those roles, however, are not analogous to the LPN role.

I understand that LPNs can do most of what RNs can do. What I don't understand is how the role adds any more value to the system than simply combining the two into one single nursing role. What is the model where LPNs and RNs working together provides more value or more efficiency than simply having all RNs? Why is it not more logical to simply have a single nursing role? I'm really trying to understand.

LPN's are considered "task workers" by many in healthcare as in: administering meds, giving wound treatments, inserting foleys ect.....while the RN have managment postions as well as doing assesments, care plans and what not...that is how it is in many facilities I cannot speak for all.

Here there are plenty of LPN postions more than they can fill. ADN's are not being hired just BSN. The ADN's are in limbo. So how about we abolish ADN's just have BSN programs and abolish LPNs? Not gonna happen.

LPN's are most likely going to have an even more bigger and vital role due to the new healthcare system in the next few years.

There will always be a need for LPN's in LTC and many other places like dialysis.

Everyone from my graduating class got hired as a new grad in weeks if not less while the vast majority of the ADN's who went to my school still have not found any work.

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LPN's are most likely going to have an even more bigger and vital role due to the new healthcare system in the next few years.

In as much as hospitals and acute care is concerned, I wouldn't be too sure about that. My hospital doesn't hire LPNs any more. All current LPNs are treated as advanced practice techs (so to speak). The other hospitals I've worked at also told all LPNs to get their RN within a certain time frame or be prepared to lose their jobs or practice as CNAs if positions were available. All this has occurred in different states, so it's not just one particular location.

And if you consider that CNAs (in some areas and with training) are allowed to draw blood and take a course that will allow them to pass meds, CNAs are on a path to become cheaper LPNs.

So, you have a glut of BSNs and possibly CNAs who can do essential LPN functions at a cheaper hourly rate.

Where does that leave LPNs? Bridging to get their RN.

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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...

Just because you "stair-stepped" doesn't mean everyone else wants to.

Just because you "stair-stepped" doesn't mean that another who "stair-steps" will remember their journey climbing up the stairs.

Just because one stair steps, does not guarantee anything!

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