LVN vs. MA; is MA preferred choice

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Sep 28, 2008

LVNs can perform nursing duties,can put IVs and give meds such as tylenol or other pain meds with the supervision of a nurse except for narcotics.

An LVN is a licensed vocational nurse; the 'N' letter in LVN stands for nurse.

I am an LVN in Texas who works under my own licensure, and have given more narcotic meds than I care to count. Morphine, Dilaudid, Darvocet, Oxycontin, Vicodin, Fentanyl, and other narcotics are ones that I routinely administer. The LPN/LVN scope of practice varies from state to state.

gianani97 · Sep 28, 2008

correction,for the state of florida it is called lpn,in california it is lvn i know that for fact because i used to work with one.yes, the n stands for nurse,licenced vocational nurse,i attached the description for lvns below,there is a reason why they are called "vocational",they don't call rns "licensed"nurse right?

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos102.htm

"licensed practical nurses (lpns), or licensed vocational nurses (lvns), care for people who are sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled under the direction of physicians and registered nurses. (the work of physicians and surgeons and of registered nurses is described elsewhere in the handbook.) the nature of the direction and supervision required varies by state and job setting."

i just had to get my facts straight so i googled it,i just don't want to look like an idiot here :wink2:

OgopogoLPN, LPN, RN · Sep 28, 2008

correction,for the state of florida it is called lpn,in california it is lvn i know that for fact because i used to work with one.yes, the n stands for nurse,licenced vocational nurse,i attached the description for lvns below,there is a reason why they are called "vocational",they don't call rns "licensed"nurse right?
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos102.htm
"licensed practical nurses (lpns), or licensed vocational nurses (lvns), care for people who are sick, injured, convalescent, or disabled under the direction of physicians and registered nurses. (the work of physicians and surgeons and of registered nurses is described elsewhere in the handbook.) the nature of the direction and supervision required varies by state and job setting."
i just had to get my facts straight so i googled it,i just don't want to look like an idiot here :wink2:

the wording of that definition is somewhat off. a doctor or rn is not looking over your shoulder when you are doing your duties, which includes administering narcotics (including assessing for pain and giving prn narctocis) an lpn is responsible for his/her own practice and generally has an rn on their team (or onsite) in the case of a ltc/snf setting. the rn does not generally set out the days duties/tasks for the lpn. the rn is there for guidance, unstable patients, unstable situations.

good luck with your decision. :)

kat7ap · Sep 28, 2008

I'm a bit confused... Are you asking what the fastest way to become a nurse is? LPNs (or LVN is the title CA in and TX) is the fastest route to become a nurse. At some schools you can graduate is about a year. However what are your long term goals? Do you eventually want to become an RN? There are associate degree programs for Registered nursing that usually take about 3-4 years to complete, although they are usually extremely competitive to get in it. Both LVN/LPNs and RNs are classified as LICENSED nurses.

Scope of practice varies from state to state. Where I have lived LPN/LVNs have a fairly broad scope of practice. I don't just do "nursing duties". I assess my own patients, and give nearly all their meds myself including some of the IV push. In most LTC facilities LPN/LVNs are charge nurses and sometimes there is not even an RN in the building. We practice without direct supervision of an RN or physician (meaning they don't have to be physically observing or signing off your work), so yeah I can give narcotics... I know you don't know this but FYI, most LPN/LVNs get a little offended when you don't refer to them as nurses.

gianani97 · Sep 29, 2008

I don't mean anything when I tried to compare LVN/LPN from RN, I was a bit confused myself about the definition between the two.I am gearing towards LPN/LVN if anything,in fact I want to thank all of you for the input I asked for,I have done my research online and I guess not all that was written on there is true.I will still continue my research and thank you again for this discussion :wink2:

oh and anything you guys might want to add that we didn't discuss here?

Thornbird · Sep 29, 2008

The fastest way is to become an LPN. You will have more job opportunities if you go for RN and it's not that mich longer. Finishing paramedic school is also a good option for you. You didn't say whu you left paramedic school. If it was because of the work was too difficult or the time committment too much you nrrd to br dure the problem is fixed or you won'y br ab;r yo manade nursing either. LPN programs require a lot of committment since it is usually five full days a week not a college schedule.

gianani97 · Sep 29, 2008

Yes,I know it will be a serious commitment as soon as I go to school for LPN/LVN.It sucks that I am still overseas(Japan)because all the colleges we have offer courses unrelated to nursing.I will be in Oklahoma come Feb.2009 and I am looking at some colleges around the area.Thanks for the heads up on how long the LPN program is,I think I can do it this time.

My reason I didn't finish paramedic school was because I can't seem to pass the fire test where you carry a huge empty hose to 3 flights of steps and plus I had a great paying job in the ER i couldn't afford to refuse :)

I am looking forward to be in the program.

Thornbird · Oct 1, 2008

Check with Military Family Education. There are online classes you can take that relate to nursing or to the liberal arts requirements for a degree. There are also the Dantes exams available that you can take if you think you have enough knowledge in a subject. They will help you find "military friendly colleges" and to make sure you get the fee reductions you are entitled to. You can check out Excelsior College which has online classes in addition to the much publicized nursing program. www.excelsior.edu Also check out www.charteroak.edu There are many others but these I am familiar with. If you have the time RN is your best way to go. And one more FYI, most paramedic programs don't require the firefighter test. These programs are available as Associate Degree college programs and hospital based certification programs. Both will prepare you for National Registry and state certifications without lugging hoses around.

BinkieRN, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2008

You can check out Excelsior College which has online classes in addition to the much publicized nursing program. www.excelsior.edu .

MA's cannot get their LPN or RN through excelsior. LPN's can get their RN through Excelsior.

Thornbird · Oct 1, 2008

ma's cannot get their lpn or rn through excelsior. lpn's can get their rn through excelsior.

why don't people actually read a post before replying? :banghead:

as it says in the very line you quoted from me, excelsior college has online classes in addition to the much publicized nursing program. anyone can apply for non-nursing courses at excelsior and it is one of the top schools for providing for the educational needs of military members and their families. gianani97 is considering educational options and is stuck in japan, thre is help in her situation and she should know and consider all her options.

gianani97 · Oct 1, 2008

Hi,THORNBIRD!I am surely going to check the website you wrote on here.And thank you for your time and kindness,WOW you know so much!you strike me as someone who was in the military or military background of sorts?I am very excited!