"I do the same thing as an RN"

[WheresMyPen]

Although this statement may be somewhat true depending on what state you live and where you work. I see that it doesn't go lightly with RNs sometimes and I see why. They did more schooling, and those differences in scope of practice can create challenges for them. I do my own admissions and RNs co-sign. I have never written inaccurate info but I imagine if I had, it would put a lot of stress on my RN colleague. I do 95% of the same skills in LTC but when I need to do IV push I need to pull the RN from her own patients to help with mine. I am a team player so when this happens I usually go stock her cart and check her blood sugars. We work well together. We respect each other, but we don't have the same license and I can't do 100% of her job. That doesn't make me any less of a nurse but it doesn't make me an RN either.

We are colleagues, we are nurses. We help each other. But I am in school for bsn and realize it's not the same.

Saying that that you could do everything an RN does is not only inaccurate but it perpetuates the divide. Why not just say,you are a great nurse. You do your job well and you are needed and valued. My RNs need me and I need them.

[BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN]

Yes, I knew that. The newbies don't take the time to utilize the search feature here!

im new here and I didn't see any posts like this yet. But I've seen a lot of negative comments on other posts and wanted to address it

[BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN]

No, it's an opportunity to use those critical thinking skills and do a little research available here to see that this topic has been discussed ad nauseum

"This has already been said" is a weak slapdown of somone trying to start a thoughtful thread. Someone said it to me on one of the first threads I created, for sharing something small a patient did that made me smile. Thanks for sharing, WheresMyPen.

[nutella, MSN, RN]

I think everybody has to get real.

LPN education and scope is just not equivalent to the RN.

The other day I met a CNA who was convinced that she is doing "the same as a nurse" and "I guess I am pretty much like a nurse". The same thing - people have to get real.

Just because the profession is based on "caring" it does not mean that "caring" is all a person does and that a "caring attitude" qualifies enough. I mean - I can change a furnace filter and and unclog a sink but I would never say that I am "pretty much a HVAC professional or a plumber".

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I'll preface my response as so...

UNLESS one has studied and passed a PN program and a RN (preparatory, whether it be an ADN, Dioloma or BSN) program, no one knows WHO studies WHAT.

My PN program had pharmacology EXACTLY as my BSN pharmacology;

I had fundamentals, Med-Surg with rotations in the OR and ED (same with BSN)

Learned about leadership and Charge nursing in BOTH programs; although I will say my leadership curriculum in my BSN program was more in depth; regarding budgetary issues, skill mix, etc (although I had some idea of those while working as an LPN)

When I entered my BSN program and they knew I was a LPN; I could've audited my first year of the program; however since I had been out of being school for five years at that time, I did the program all the way through and learned more about the expanding scope and I did learn some additional health assessment techniques, like CN testing and HEENT exams; otherwise I knew pretty much how to perform a head-toe exam.

I worked in many settings where I wasn't limited in my scope and had additional competencies where RNs and LPNs scopes and duties were the same-with the exception of IV push-which has now been incorporated into the scope of practice in my state; the only difference is the allowance of "data collection" to be "assessments"; which would be moot, because then LPNs would have the scope of an RN.

My reason to return to become an RN was because I were in positions that I was doing the EXACT work as an RN, but not able to be certified as an expert in a specialty and getting paid RN money.

Since I have been an RN and have been in a leadership position in my experience, some days initially wished to be an LPN or a CNA-I was a nurse assistant as well-because there's a TON of responsibility as a supervisor, slightly more so be made when one is considered "management" based on licensure scope-and that is the only difference.

We all have challenging work; different, yet challenging all the same.

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

People get so caught up with the "list of skills". That just does not define the nurse, be they RN or LPN. I know parents who go home with infants that are trach'd, ventilated, and on TPN hooked up to a CVL. They learn to suction their infant, do basic ventilator trouble-shooting, and hook up TPN. That right there gives them more skills than a decent percentage of nurses out there, RN or LVN. I mean, how many of you out there would be comfortable caring for an infant on a vent to a trach? But they are still not nurses!!

I was obsessed with the skill acquisition thing myself when I was a new nurse and hardly took time to learn about integrating the entire assessment and health picture of the patient. It took many years to realize how that was really the most important skill. I also gained tremendous insight in holistic health assessment and care when I went back for my BSN completion. Some courses of study are pretty much rubber stamps but my college demanded you demonstrate deep knowledge on that aspect.

I'll admit it makes me a little crazy when people argue about this topic. It emphasizes to me how the RN is so much more than a list of psycho-motor skills!

[LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN]

I'll admit it makes me a little crazy when people argue about this topic. It emphasizes to me how the RN is so much more than a list of psycho-motor skills!

ALLnurses, whether LPN or RN, are so much more than a list of psycho-motor skills; educated in critical thinking, nursing judgment, and holistic care in the first classes in school, all the way up to the NCLEX; and then afterwards a good facility, preceptorship, and management will emphasize that quality.

[WheresMyPen]

Well in that case you may wants to use your critical thinking skills too, and not read topics that have titles that have been discussed that make you nauseated.

No, it's an opportunity to use those critical thinking skills and do a little research available here to see that this topic has been discussed ad nauseum

[nurseinthezoo]

Well said. Need is reflected in the marketplace, value is reflected in the paycheck.

[ComeTogether, LPN]

It really depends on the facility and the scope. There are a lot of facilities where that statement could very well be true, but the fact is that LPNs are only educated on caring for stable patients, and although the scope varies from state to state the patient acuity an LPN is capable of caring for is the same.

I think a lot of LPNs feel the need to defend their title, as if it's some how not as good as the RN title, when its merely different not better or worse. Maybe they feel looked down on, or inferior somehow, but that's not true. Practical nursing education has a different focus than RN education and the intended patient population isn't the same.

My PN program took 12 months and over 1200 hours of class/clinical time, not to mention study time. Each class was roughly 7-8 weeks, which meant a test every 2 weeks that was worth. 23.33% of our grade. A 77 or better was required in each class, and we lost 30 of the 40 students who began in fundamentals. 19 graduated, 9 of which came over from the RN program.

To make it through that kind of a program is a victory in and of itself, one that I am very proud of, but I'm not the same as an RN. The RN program is 2 more semesters and there is a larger focus on theory and critical care. I'm OK with that, I'm still a nurse.

[RedInScrubs, ASN, RN]

I was an CNA, LPN, ADN, then BSN. Didn't really understand the differences in scope and skill sets until I had the education that gave me the perspective. Very little has to do with the tasks associated with the scope; trained techs can task. The mentality and critical thinking skills that come with increased education that allow the tasks to become higher quality, safer, and more efficient make the difference, not the individual tasks themselves.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

I've heard a lot of talk about LPNs being phased out. The FNP I work with even advised me to go straight for my ADN for this reason. I wouldn't be surprised if ADNs are phased out and BSNs are the standard for entry level nursing thanks to the quest for Magnet Status.

Don't hold your breath. This has been discussed/threatened for at least 30 years (except for the Magnet status part - that's new).

Just ain't gonna happen in the remotely near future due to about a thousand logical reasons.

[KCMnurse, BSN, MSN, RN]

I entered nursing school 32 years ago. I was encouraged to go for my RN as LPN's were 'being phased out.' Just as others have said ad nauseum this discussion has gone on for decades. The simple truth is that we are necessary and important parts of the patient's care team. Before entering nursing school I was a CNA and fully understand now how critical their role is in enabling me to complete my tour of duty. Likewise the LPN plays a critical role, what each person does is not the same but all are necessary.