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.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

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.

I am not one of the LPNs that wish to become an RN. I think the BON would give a more accurate description of what LPNs can or cannot do. The facility may have their own rules, but they cannot supercede the state.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

What amazes me in these debates is the assumption that every LPN's mouth waters to become RNs. Not true! I see the differences...yes, for sure, much of it can be considered as cosmetic...but for me, it is the assumption that the RN knows simply because he/she is an RN. That is too much pressure for me to deal with, along with the rest of the ridiculous nursing politics that goes along with the RN title. I want to work as a team with all of the health care disciplines because it is fairer to the patients and to ourselves. But, to have the title myself...no way.

[chicookie, BSN, RN]

I agree with Eriksoln. (Big surprise, I always do. ) In Fl the only difference is that the LPN and the RN is the IV meds. Everything else is the same. I don't really see any other difference. Plus even then if the LPN has been on the floor for like for ever they let the LPN do IV meds. (but you didn't hear that from me) My first preceptor was a LPN and she was better than some RNs that I have had.

[philanurse74]

Care Plans?

If care plans are the only difference between RNs and LPNs (and IV pushes) then I'd rather be an LPN, they are better educated if their schooling bypasses care plans. Care plans are the most task oriented approach I have ever seen. If RNs think they are superior because they can "think critically" and LPNs cant, they'd better come up with something better than care plans to prove this.

I spent tons of time in both LPN and RN school wasting time on these useless busywork projects. I actually thought the ones in LPN school were more detailed and harder, and were definitely graded tougher. But that's just my opinion, I don't think there will be much argument over the value of school care plans....

[gsands]

In my state there is an HMO that hires PCAs who they train to work in the clinics and their hospital outpatient surgery. They check in patients, do vitals, assist with procedures (do foleys) and administer meds-including injections but not IV therapy. Most patients do not know they are not nurses, especially if the name tag is accidently turned around. THe website specifically states that they are not CNAs and the training is not required before they are trained as PCAs. I am an LPN returning for her RN and I find this disheartening. The VA clinic where I work only hires LPNs for clinic work.

[JDZ344]

In my state there is an HMO that hires PCAs who they train to work in the clinics and their hospital outpatient surgery. They check in patients, do vitals, assist with procedures (do foleys) and administer meds-including injections but not IV therapy. Most patients do not know they are not nurses, especially if the name tag is accidently turned around. THe website specifically states that they are not CNAs and the training is not required before they are trained as PCAs. I am an LPN returning for her RN and I find this disheartening. The VA clinic where I work only hires LPNs for clinic work.

That is scary that PCAs administer meds. I am a HCA in England, so my scope is wider than in the US. I insert foleys, draw blood, do admit paperworks/assessments of mobility/skin, ECGs, dressing changes, vitals... there is more. But, there is NO WAY that the hospital or the nursing council would allow an unqualified person to give meds. NO WAY. And I would not do it even if I were allowed. If you want to give meds, then hire a nurse, I say. Who is responsible if these PCAs make a med error?

I worked in a GP surgery for a while and my job was mainly to chaperone female patients with male doctors. The doctors did there own vitals/weights and the nurse did the urine samples etc.