Not Much difference in job duties by a PCA and LPN?

[Angela.RN2B]

I was looking at the definition of a LPN on Discover Nursing.com and theres not much difference in what they do and a PCA in a hospital. Just Licensure and a lot of money spent on schooling. Whats the point why not just work as a PCA and get your RN degree? here's the definition: LPNs, or Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs), as they are called in Texas and California, care for the sick, injured, convalescent, and disabled under the direction of physicians and registered nurses. They provide basic care, taking vital signs, temperature, blood pressure, and pulse, and assist with bathing patients, monitoring catheters, and applying dressings. Most LPN or LVN programs are about a year long and are offered by technical and vocational schools.

I am taking class to be a PCA and then going for a RN the LPN seems a waste of money really, cause everyone I know wants or wishes they were an RN.

[caliotter3]

You need to take into consideration that you are reading a watered down definition of the duties of LPN/LVNs. To get a clearer perception of the reality of the situation you need to speak to or shadow people on the job. In most employment situations, there is a lot, lot more to it. You are right about concentrating on getting an RN license though. By doing this at the beginning, you will be increasing your opportunities with a better expenditure of time and resources.

[changeofpaceRN]

As a current LPN just graduating her RN degree, I can tell you it was easier for me to get into a program to do my LPN-RN then it was to jump right into the RN program. If you are able to do the RN right away, why not? I don't work in a hospital but I do work in LTC and the responsibilities are so much different there (as is the pay!)

[sunray12]

You need to take into consideration that you are reading a watered down definition of the duties of LPN/LVNs. To get a clearer perception of the reality of the situation you need to speak to or shadow people on the job. In most employment situations, there is a lot, lot more to it. You are right about concentrating on getting an RN license though. By doing this at the beginning, you will be increasing your opportunities with a better expenditure of time and resources.

+1

A LPN like a RN has a license to work anywhere in the country and many places in the world. A PCA doesn't have that.

I am going to RN school but the person who inspired me to go to nursing school is a LPN. She's been a nurse for at least 35 years now. She's happy being a LPN and has never sought the RN title.

[RochesterRN-BSN, BSN, RN]

And just FYI a CNA can not do any dressing changes.....VS yes, bath yes. Only an LPN or RN can change a dressing. And at least here in NY only an RN can change a central line dressing.

[eriksoln, BSN, RN]

And just FYI a CNA can not do any dressing changes.....VS yes, bath yes. Only an LPN or RN can change a dressing. And at least here in NY only an RN can change a central line dressing.

In PA, as a CNA, I was allowed to do non-sterile dressing changes. I took a lower paying job at a smaller hospital that trained its CNAs (you were level 1, 2, or 3) to do non-sterile dressing changes and foley instertion/removal. We were basically LPNs who didnt pass meds.

For the OP, yes, it would be better for you to go straight to RN if that is an option. All things being equal, if you can bypass the LPN stage, I would. The benefits are more than a few. Nothing wrong with going the LPN route IF IT IS THE ONLY REAL OPTION for you.

[philanurse74]

An LPN is a nurse, where a CNA is an aide...an LPN can give medications, for example, where an aide cannot. There are many differences, and even though I made the jump, not all LPN's want to be RN's. I forgot to add, the pay is higher, in some cases, much higher, for an LPN.

[lpn2icu]

PCA's do not give medication! In an acute care setting, an LPN might be asked to function as a PCA/PCT. However, in a long-term care settings, LPN's are in charge...especially evening and night shifts! In a long-term care settings, LPN's focus on medications and treatment as per M.D. ordered! I was an LPN, and I used to make more than a PCA/PCT!

[eriksoln, BSN, RN]

An LPN is a nurse, where a CNA is an aide...an LPN can give medications, for example, where an aide cannot. There are many differences, and even though I made the jump, not all LPN's want to be RN's.

See, I agree there is a distinct difference between LPN and CNA (with the small hospital I worked at being an exception). But I think the difference between LPN and RN is cosmetic mostly. For the life of me, I cant see any benefit to being LPN instead of RN. Not one rational reason.

[mybelle3221]

here in michigan there are many differences between an lpn and a pca. as an lpn you pass medications, hang iv meds (as long it is not the first dose), place ng tubes, insert caths, give tube feedings, change all types of dressings, and many other things including what a pca does. lpn's are very task oreinted but we are also trained in critical thinking, management, and in general sciences on how the body works in relation to what we do as a nurse. even in a acute care setting lpns are seen on a same level as an rn, they do not function as a pct.

[philanurse74]

I was pointing out the differences between an LPN and an aide, I thought. I have been both an LPN and RN, so I can see those differences as well...

[sasha2lady]

Hmm...well I am an LPN and proud to be one...I at the current time have NO desire to be an RN b/c I am still a nurse....I went to school just like an RN....I worked my butt off...just like an RN...I graduated and took my boards just like an RN and I work as a nurse....just like an RN. Years prior to that I was an aide. As an LPN I am in charge of my shift most of the time...I have to SUPERVISE aides and what they do and dont do...and believe me...in NC where I am...regular aides DONT do meds, any kind of treatments, no assessments, no admissions, no discharges, aides CANNOT call a doctor and recieve or carry out any type of order, they have no pharmacology training, and on my shift the aides go through me first...and if its something I cant help with....then I call my boss...who is an RN and see what she says but 9 times out of 10...and guess what the RN's at my job do??? PAPERWORK ......and its paperwork that we LPN's do every single day without them on our shift! I deal with portacaths, picc lines, ostomies, caths, peg tubes, j tubes, sp caths, labs...draw blood, get urines, and more.....it is very disrespecting to those of us who worked soooo hard to get where we are even if it seems unimportant to you...there are people out there including god only knows how many RN's who appreciate the lpn's they work or have worked along side. I commend those who went on or are going on to be an RN ...cudos.. but dont knock it...either title ...til you've been there and done our job. And btw....going to LPN school was the best thing I ever did and I dont regret a single thing about it other than I wish I'd went sooner than I did.