LVNs say they are equal to RNs...how true is this? much more schooling...

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Hey everyone, i am a second year nursing student (RN) and i notice a lot of controversy about LVNs saying they do exactly what a RN does. Can someone clarify the two??? i have an idea, but would like to know the major differences. Our LVNs come in our second semester after the first six weeks!! wow that's a huge diff in school. We almost have 2.5 semesters more of study than them. I absolutely have nothing against LVNs, but there are plenty out there that continuously say this. I have worked with amazing LVNs and yes they are huge huge huge assets for a RN and not to mention a patient. I just would really like to know the huge differences....is it really that simple "oh they can't push blood, push any IV meds, or do care plans" (which is huge, well at least in nursing school lol).

Thanks for you input

Specializes in Emergency.

I have worked with LPNs in many different hospitals. In fact I was oriented to the Fast Track area of a Level One Trauma Center by one. Depending on which hospital it was at, some LPN's functioned fairly independently, some didn't. My bigger frustration was not with the title or the people, but the fact that LPN's in our state can not give IV push medications. Well, in an Emergency Dept....we give a lot of them. At one hospital which gave LPN's their own assignments, I spent a ton of time giving their meds, signing off on assessments and documenting the meds I gave. I decided that while they were awesome people, the ED was not the best place for that role.

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Specializes in Med/Surg,Cardiac.

I think it is really dependent on where you are. In LTC, for example, LPNs run the show usually. I think it's similar in many clinics. Hospital settings seem to lean more toward RNs, probably because of those things RNs do that LPNs cannot. I've learned tons from both.

This subject really has been exhausted though.

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Specializes in COS-C, Risk Management.

Hint: When you stop thinking of nursing in terms of tasks performed, you will have a much better understanding of the differences in scope of practice.

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Specializes in Home Health/PD.

Yes and a more rounded education. And higher pay! ;)

Really, do a search and you have plenty to read on this topic.

I don't think anyone should spend time on LPN school when an ADN is only at most 1 more year and LPN's are being phased out in many settings of care. Very limiting degree.

Sent from my iPhone using allnurses.com

The only reason I did it was because I was able to start during high school and be in a nursing position making Lpn pay while getting my rn. If I hasn't started in High school I would've most likely gone straight for my rn.

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This horse has been beaten to death so many times that there are no more horse molecules left in the universe.

Oh I don't know about that, there seems to be enough left to *feed* the "mandatory BSN" debate.

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Specializes in critical care, Med-Surg.

Well, from someone who has been: nurses' aide, LPN, ADN, BSN, and hopes to be NP, here is what I have to say:

Critical thinking is a skill that some bright LPN and nurse techs/MA just POSSESS. They do not need to be taught to think critically. They have the innate intelligence to do so, after being in a clinical environment. And their ability to do so will make them a fab employee. They WILL be great eyes and ears for the RN. An integral part of the team. We all know it when we have a great LPN or aide working with us.

Let's face it: there are both great RNs, and crap RNs, and there are GREAT LPNs and aides, and crap ones.The only difference is EDUCATION and SCOPE OF PRACTICE. And that is PURELY the difference in pay, which is as it should be.

Doctors generally make "doctor" pay, whether they are good or bad. It is the investment in the degree. And a higher level of expectation/responsibility.

LPNs are NOT the same as RNs. Because it is a different degree. Plain and simple. All this arguing is stupid.

I have furthered my education EVERY time I went back to school, meaning that I LEARNED things above and beyond whatever innate intelligence or skills I possessed before, not just that I got a piece of paper. Education is an investment, and it has value. And most importantly, it has meaning...i.e., a higher level of knowledge.

As an LPN w many yrs of experience, and as an ADN with many more, I was humbled my my BSN. I realized there was a lot to learn.

No matter who, or where, we are, we ALL have a lot to learn. I respect, and value, the LPNs and MA's I work with. Who knows, they may one day be a LEADER in my field, I NEVER forget that! If I can teach them anything, I WILL do so, gladly. They can then use that as they further their education, and I can certainly use their "help" in the meantime!

It really is all about interpersonal skills and respect.

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I too have been a LPN for many years 30 to be exact. I have heard several LPNs make the same statement regarding RNs. Yes, we do some of the same things but don't have all the responsibility of the RN. I am in the second year of the RN program and the critical thinking that I am learning is something I thought I was doing as a LPN. It sure is a different type of thinking. Yes we will get to do all the IV things and blood, chemo etc. but there is diffinently a difference.

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Specializes in Mental Health, Hospice Care.

I haven't read any responses to the OP's original post, I can only imagine that we are re-hashing the same ole tired arguement...my only question is this, can we please, for the love of sweet baby Jesus....and my sanity please stop these "RN v. LPN" threads....please?...pretty please?.....

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Specializes in Mental Health, Hospice Care.

okay...I just went back and read them all....makes me wanna get a good, let's stoke the fires, "LPN v. RN v. BSN Fight to the Death" thread is on the horizon...I can smell it....:rolleyes:

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Specializes in OR.

Please don't flame me, not trying to stoke the fires or beat any long dead horses. When I was a scrub tech it initially was a matter of practicality when I decided RN over LPN school. Because specifically in OR terms that meant unless I became an RN, I still could not circulate and would still be only a little better off than I was before except for a slight increase in pay but no additional responsibilities in spite of new knowledge that I would learn as an LPN. So RN school was something for me that was not as limiting career-wise, financially and if I left the OR, other doors would be opened. I assume this is an AORN recommendation which all hospitals follow and that is only an RN can circulate and being in charge of an OR. I'm not going to address how it's done in the military, only civilian world because they are different. Whether we like it or not, hierarchy in healthcare has and always will exist. Respect and appreciation of each person's role and responsibilities is the essence of what being part of the kind of teamwork which makes for excellent patient are. We all have unique and special talents but as job roles evolve they blur our previous understanding of what it means to be a nurse, a tech, and the rest of the alphabet soup initials that make up healthcare.

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Specializes in Mental Health, Hospice Care.
Please don't flame me, not trying to stoke the fires or beat any long dead horses. When I was a scrub tech it initially was a matter of practicality when I decided RN over LPN school. Because specifically in OR terms that meant unless I became an RN, I still could not circulate and would still be only a little better off than I was before except for a slight increase in pay but no additional responsibilities in spite of new knowledge that I would learn as an LPN. So RN school was something for me that was not as limiting career-wise, financially and if I left the OR, other doors would be opened. I assume this is an AORN recommendation which all hospitals follow and that is only an RN can circulate and being in charge of an OR. I'm not going to address how it's done in the military, only civilian world because they are different. Whether we like it or not, hierarchy in healthcare has and always will exist. Respect and appreciation of each person's role and responsibilities is the essence of what being part of the kind of teamwork which makes for excellent patient are. We all have unique and special talents but as job roles evolve they blur our previous understanding of what it means to be a nurse, a tech, and the rest of the alphabet soup initials that make up healthcare.

I would never "flame" anyone I promise...thgis is a topic that comes up just about like clock work every 3-4 days it seems...these threads are never helpful, always negative and really makes me hate some folks for a few minutes while I read through them...heirarchy is everywhere, that is a fact...but when in these discussions it gets ugly at times, comments that are spit out are very troublesome....and these all come from us nurses, us "critical thinkers"....I am sure you will have success on whatever road you take in nursing....I guess I am just sick and tired of seeing these worn out and pointless comparisons...those who get the most passionate are probably the fragile, self loathing nurses I would never want to darken my door if I were ill....we are simply above this.....

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Hey everyone, i am a second year nursing student (RN) and i notice a lot of controversy about LVNs saying they do exactly what a RN does. Can someone clarify the two??? i have an idea, but would like to know the major differences. Our LVNs come in our second semester after the first six weeks!! wow that's a huge diff in school. We almost have 2.5 semesters more of study than them. I absolutely have nothing against LVNs, but there are plenty out there that continuously say this. I have worked with amazing LVNs and yes they are huge huge huge assets for a RN and not to mention a patient. I just would really like to know the huge differences....is it really that simple "oh they can't push blood, push any IV meds, or do care plans" (which is huge, well at least in nursing school lol). Thanks for you input
I think that the title you chose for this thread is insulting. It sounds as if you are fishing for people to stroke your ego and agree with you that LPNs are "beneath" you in the hierarchy. If you really cared to learn what the differences are between LPNs and RNs, a simple search would have provided

you many articles on the subject.

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