"I do the same thing as an RN"

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

I think this is such a hot button issue because of pay scales.

If Rn's and Lpn's in some areas like LTC do the same jobs,then is it fair one makes more than the other?

Should they get paid the same per hour?

Employment is also another factor,especially in areas with a nursing glut.

The question below was popular around the 2008 recession,and i even asked it myself,though at the time i had received the wrong answers.

If a job advertises for an Lpn only,can an RN apply and get the job?(since they both do the same job)

I was told the Rn would need an Lpn license,which i now know may be incorrect.

Why would the Rn need an Lpn license when the Rn has a higher scope?

From what I have read, the RN may take the job, but she will be legally held to the standards of the RN, not LPN, license.

[downsouthlaff, LPN]

I think this is such a hot button issue because of pay scales.

If Rn's and Lpn's in some areas like LTC do the same jobs,then is it fair one makes more than the other?

Should they get paid the same per hour?

Employment is also another factor,especially in areas with a nursing glut.

The question below was popular around the 2008 recession,and i even asked it myself,though at the time i had received the wrong answers.

If a job advertises for an Lpn only,can an RN apply and get the job?(since they both do the same job)

I was told the Rn would need an Lpn license,which i now know may be incorrect.

Why would the Rn need an Lpn license when the Rn has a higher scope?

This is really up to the facility. Some facilities hire LPNs and RNs and floor nurse and are open to this. I've seen other facilities turn away RNs and say LPNs only, simply because they know that RNs demand higher pay.

And actually, I'm an LPN, and even though I do believe that in some areas like long term care I do perform the same job as an RN, yes they should receive higher pay because there education, credentials, and scope is wider.

An RN does not need an LPN license to do an LPN job. Think about it. Both LPNs and RNs are licensed to practice the same profession, Which is nursing. An RN is an independent Practicioner of nursing and has zero limitations when it comes to nursing practice. When an LPN or RN is hired a facility is looking for a NURSE to practice nursing. An RN can practice nursing with a full scope independently. So why would they need an LPN license this makes 0 sense ?

[NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN]

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!

AWESOME, CONGRATZ, and GOOD LUCK!!!! Unfortunately, the courses that provide such insight is not required for CNAs. As such, in my experience, those who are only there for a paycheck will never understand your vision, no matter how many been-there-done-that situations you share in hopes of motivating your subordinates (and sometimes, colleagues). Be prepared for those who don't care to know what you now know, and have no problems with proving it to you.

[Sydryth, ASN, RN]

I was an LPN for several years before obtaining my RN License. I actually remembering new graduate RN's coming up to me that had graduated from a very respectable nursing school in my state, and saying, " One of my instructor's told me to find me a very knowledgeable and good LPN and stick to them, to learn how to be a good bedside nurse." I can see how my LPN experience has truly honed my people relation skills. As a RN now, I have so much more paperwork and responsibility, that it hinders my ability to remain at bedside and get to know my patients like I used too. I even find my self telling new nurses to find them a good LPN and even a CNA at learn from them. Lord knows I enjoy having them on my team, especially a good CNA. Granted working in ICU, I only have 2 patients, but one of them can be so depending due to their illness and me being so in tuned to what all is happening, that I neglect the people relation skills. However, whenever I can I try to laugh and cut-up with all my patients. To me it was just a lot easier as a LPN. Can a LPN do a lot of what I do yes, but their is as much or more that they cant do.

[downsouthlaff, LPN]

. Can a LPN do a lot of what I do yes, but their is as much or more that they cant do.[/

While your post is very insightful and very accurate, as you were an LPN before an RN and certain you are an awesome ICU Nurse, I just take a little offense to your last statement. Why ? Because it kind of leads non nursing people are nursing students to believe the wrong thing. While I'm in full understanding as every LPN should be that an RN has a wider scope and is held to a higher standard I disagree with this statement. As far as skill wise, what's the much more that I can't do as an LPN that you can do as an RN? In my state an LPN can't admin chemotherapy, we can't push IV meds, we can't stage a decubitus ulcer and we can't initiate blood transfusions. The BON sets no other restrictions.

[WheresMyPen]

. Can a LPN do a lot of what I do yes, but their is as much or more that they cant do.[/

While your post is very insightful and very accurate, as you were an LPN before an RN and certain you are an awesome ICU Nurse, I just take a little offense to your last statement. Why ? Because it kind of leads non nursing people are nursing students to believe the wrong thing. While I'm in full understanding as every LPN should be that an RN has a wider scope and is held to a higher standard I disagree with this statement. As far as skill wise, what's the much more that I can't do as an LPN that you can do as an RN? In my state an LPN can't admin chemotherapy, we can't push IV meds, we can't stage a decubitus ulcer and we can't initiate blood transfusions. The BON sets no other restrictions.

i really didn't mean for this to turn into anything or offend anyone. It goes both ways.. No lpn or Rn should have to feel hurt or offended. Different scopes. Same quality of nurse.

[Annty]

Hi,

In that statement, "I do the same thing as an RN", what is the job of the person talking? I'm not sure to understand, as I'm french, and degrees are different here... Could someone explain to me please? Is a nurse and an RN not the same thing?

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

Hi,

In that statement, "I do the same thing as an RN", what is the job of the person talking? I'm not sure to understand, as I'm french, and degrees are different here... Could someone explain to me please? Is a nurse and an RN not the same thing?

No, we in the US, in reaction to short staffing, decided we needed nurses so desperately that we would train nurses for a shorter period of time (usually 12-18 months) but limit their scope of practice. These nurses are known as Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN). They generally work with less acute patients, but that isn't always true especially in times when the nursing shortage was severe (not now). The limitation on the scope of practice can be pretty subtle depending on the State and facility. Generally, an RN should be supervising, but what this means can be quite variable.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

. Can a LPN do a lot of what I do yes, but their is as much or more that they cant do.[/

While your post is very insightful and very accurate, as you were an LPN before an RN and certain you are an awesome ICU Nurse, I just take a little offense to your last statement. Why ? Because it kind of leads non nursing people are nursing students to believe the wrong thing. While I'm in full understanding as every LPN should be that an RN has a wider scope and is held to a higher standard I disagree with this statement. As far as skill wise, what's the much more that I can't do as an LPN that you can do as an RN? In my state an LPN can't admin chemotherapy, we can't push IV meds, we can't stage a decubitus ulcer and we can't initiate blood transfusions. The BON sets no other restrictions.

I'm not sure why a statement of fact is "offensive." I take no offense to the statement that a CRNA, a Nurse Practitioner, A Certified Nurse Midwife, a Physicians Assistant, and an MD or DO has a much broader scope of practice, thus can "do much more than I can." It's simply a matter of what extra formal education brings to their "table." Doesn't mean they are necessarily "smarter" or better people, simply that they have a broader scope, which by definition means they can "do more things."

In many states, LPNs cannot do comprehensive assessments, only focused assessments.

They cannot manage intrathecal cathethers or give any meds through them.

They cannot initiate a care plan.

They cannot supervise the nursing practice of an RN.

They cannot do triage in the ER.

Because of these limitations, LPNs who want to work in critical care or many other acute care units in hospitals are forced to go for their RN license.

[downsouthlaff, LPN]

But what about the many states where they can do these things? A statement of fact is that an RN has a broader scope of practice. Saying that there more that LPNs can't do that RNs can do is not a statement of fact as both LPNs and RNs are nurses and in my state there's far more that LPNs can do that RNs can do than LPNs can't do that RNs do.

[soyoureanurse]

I was an LPN for 2 years before I got my RN. I think LPN's are a very proud group of people because they worked just as hard (if not harder--my LPN schooling was more rigorous than my RN schooling) but don't get as much recognition as RN's do. I also noticed when it was made public knowledge that I was going back for my RN how many LPN's acted offended! Very interesting dynamics. I think it's easier to see the differences between scopes of practice in a hospital setting vs SNF or LTC.

[downsouthlaff, LPN]

RN education don't offend me. I honestly wish I was an RN and hope to one day have the resources to become one. RNs are the hierarchy of our profession. There educated at a level beyond us LPNs. They have a wider scope. They go deeper into many subjects while we cram the basics of a little bit of everything. But we work very hard for out license and learn so much in a short time.

What offended me about the the post was "Bedside nurse who had time to laugh with the patients,". I'll have you know that I am a charge nurse. I barely have time to speak a few words to the patient only when I'm admin. Meds and I got to hustle. I have tons of physicians orders to take care of. Loads of nurses notes to do. Admit assessments and paperwork to complete. QA chart checks to do. The poster painted a picture that the LPN is a direct care bedside nurse and this sends a message to people considering becoming LPN. Yes RNs have a wider scope. Yes RNs have more education. Yes every LPN should have desire to be an RN. We are both Nurses and every One should strive for better if they have the means to do so. But many don't. But point of the matter is a Nurse is a Nurse and the jobs are not that different although there are differences obviously.

Saying the difference between an RN and LPN is comparable to the difference of an RN to CRNA or N/P is kinda wild. These are advanced level providers with masters/doctorate degrees. Let's just examine reality here , an RN program at a community college is about 2 years of pre reqs and a year and a half of actual nursing program. In my area an LPN program at a trade school is 19 months. A year and a half of education and 19 months of education is not that far fetched. How could it be ?? There both nurse programs teaching very similar things. There's no denying the fact that RNs are more educated, better and assessing and seeing the big picture, and have a wider scope by the board. But even though LPNs are nurses and not assistants I would say a better comparison would be a Physian Assistant to the Physician. Even though doctors are far more educated, the train In a shorter time to carry out much of the same job. To the general public they are both providers and both have prescriptive authority. So there job "appears not much different". It's kind of the same thing with nursing in my opinion.