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.
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.
They have been phased out in my area-in many hospitals. I think that's good information for any aspiring LPN to have, most certainly if they have visions of working in a hospital cath lab, ICU, tele unit, or basically any other place in many of the hospitals in my city. It's not denigrating the integrity or intelligence of an LPN to state the truth if that is the truth in a given market.
LPNs are not ever going to be phased out of health care in general. They are the backbone of LTC, just to name one area of specialty.
It is area dependent. When I moved to my large metroplex, there were a couple of LVNs in the telemetry area and a smattering more on the medical floor, no new hires. When I moved to NICU, none. The large local children's hospital had allowed some of their long-time LVNs to transfer from NICU to special care nursery. But if they left, that was it. They could only be hired into the outpatient clinics or HHC.
I know it's regional and practice-specific but I haven't worked with an LVN in almost 15 years.
Hello! I've actually been a CNA for two years now at a magnet hospital whilst going through nursing school. Where I'm from, this is very common. I now hold a BSN waiting to test for my RN (still a working NA though). Having this quantitative "nursing knowledge" while on the job as a NA has definitely made me perform better for patients and my team!
Actually a lot of people are saying that LPNs don't do the same job as RNs but that statement may not be true. Actually in some LTCs depending on the resident needs sometimes the care the need can be completely carried out by an LPN because there scope allows them to do so. For example an intermediate nursing home that does not have IV residents of PICC residents. LPNs can carry out the complete care within there scope. Being that the job listing would be "LTC Floor Nurse LPN or RN" that job is an LTC floor Nurse and no matter if it's an LPN or RN there going to be doing the same job. A truer statement would be that LPNs and RNs don't have the same scope. There's no disputing that. But in some cases where extensive nursing skill is not required in areas like long term care and positions are open to both LPNs and RNs they may be doing the exact same job.
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.
Thank you for being a team player!! That is very important to me. I have never been a LPN but I have respect for LPNs and have worked with some very knowledgeable ones who have taught me tons.
Again it's not a matter of LPNs not doing the same job as RNs. A better way to word it is RNs have a more extensive scope than LPNs and are permitted to do more through the BON. But saying that LPNs don't do the same "Job" as RNs is inaccurate. I can prove it.
"Charlie Brown Memorial Nursing & Retirement Center
2pm-10pm Floor Nurse needed. LPN or RN may apply"
The facility is looking for a floor nurse to admin meds, complete nurses notes, etc etc. This job is both within the practice of an LPN and RN. The job will not change with the qualification of the Nurse. Therefore In this situation an RN and LPN will do DRUMROLL " The same job".
Now an RN and LPN who work at a local ER will not do the same job. This is because different patient needs and different scopes. But there are some specialties in which an LPN an RN will do the same job depending on what the patients needs are and the the license the nurse holds.
Again it's not a matter of LPNs not doing the same job as RNs. A better way to word it is RNs have a more extensive scope than LPNs and are permitted to do more through the BON. But saying that LPNs don't do the same "Job" as RNs is inaccurate. I can prove it.
"Charlie Brown Memorial Nursing & Retirement Center
2pm-10pm Floor Nurse needed. LPN or RN may apply"
The facility is looking for a floor nurse to admin meds, complete nurses notes, etc etc. This job is both within the practice of an LPN and RN. The job will not change with the qualification of the Nurse. Therefore In this situation an RN and LPN will do DRUMROLL " The same job".
Now an RN and LPN who work at a local ER will not do the same job. This is because different patient needs and different scopes. But there are some specialties in which an LPN an RN will do the same job depending on what the patients needs are and the the license the nurse holds.
Well lll that's pretty much what I meant. Different scopes.. Just didn't word it as well
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.
never said we are being phased out or that any role isn't important. Just pointed out that the scopes are different and not interchangeable
Horseshoe, BSN, RN
5,879 Posts
They have been phased out in my area-in many hospitals. I think that's good information for any aspiring LPN to have, most certainly if they have visions of working in a hospital cath lab, ICU, tele unit, or basically any other place in many of the hospitals in my city. It's not denigrating the integrity or intelligence of an LPN to state the truth if that is the truth in a given market.
LPNs are not ever going to be phased out of health care in general. They are the backbone of LTC, just to name one area of specialty.