As an offshoot to the News article about nursing education, an opinion was brought to the board that LPNs are not adequately prepared to care for patients, and that their education is not strenuous like an RN program is. Having been in the field for awhile, what is your opinion on the differences between LPNs and RNs, other than the legally different aspects (LPNs cannot do initial assessments or IVs in my state for instance)
I'm not looking to start trouble, but rather discuss the topic in an area other than an unrelated thread.
Differences in LPNs vs RNs (educationally, functionally, intellectually)
Best way to combat any possible negatives of the above
Advice for an LPN student (who is too far through her program to just throw it out and start over in an RN program - already applied for an LPN to RN program starting Jan 2010)
Should I really expect to run into attitudes in the workplace about my not being worthwhile as an employee and a care provider because I chose the path that I have? How do you handle it if you do?
There is a local small rural hospital that pays incredibly well for LPNs right out of school and who has been trying very hard to recruit us during clinicals... am I going to be inequipped to care for patients there because of my education? I would never want to get into a situation where patient care was compromised because my education was lacking somehow...
Specializes in ENT, Neurology, Pediatrics, LTC, Skilled.
I have been an LPN for 18 yrs. There have been many times this subject has come up to get rid of LPN's. Some hospitals have gotten rid of LPN's and had just RN's and CNA's. Which they always find out that we are much more needed for our skills and abilities and the rumors stop.
Our Board of Nursing just changed LPN protrocols and now we can do assessments. It is called, "Focus assessments" there are a few others I can't remember at this moment, but the facilities/hospitals are trying to figure out how to mupdate job descriptions for. This is the State of Oregon.
Don't worry about the rumors, we are still here ingreat numbers and they need us!!!!!!
Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.
same old thread ..blah blah blah....i am a lvn that is now a gn as well...i learned everything i know in lvn school and i am very proud to be a lvn... lvn/pn's will never be eliminated they are to widely needed... i have my own thoughts and feelings about lvn vs rn but ill reserve that because i can forsee a huge flaming coming my way....ill leave that at this- rn's that were lvn's first in my opinion are much more prepared and solid on the floor....
there will never be enough nurses to cover ltc , home-health and hospice so lvn's will always be in demand...so if anyone is worried about being eliminated because you are a lvn you can throw that out the window along with the idea that entry level should be bsn..cause that wont happen either.....
I was told a long time ago that the basic difference between LPN and RN graduate..that is one newly out of school is the LPN learns "how" to do something whereas the RN learns more "how and why". After a few years of work however I think this line or difference melds to where there is barely a difference because your work is a learning process also. I have only met one LPN that just couldn't understand a different way to do something would give the same result, she was taught one way and that was the ONLY correct way. *shrugs* ALL other LPN's I have met and had the priviledge to work with and yes learn from have been wonderful and actually had the same knowledge and experience as any RN.
I have heard FOREVER that LPN programs should be discontinued etc. This IMO will never happen with the practical aspect of finance, LPNs having a lower salary range then RNs. A facillity with a set budget can hire more LPNs then RNs. There is a niche for both in the medical field.
i have being a lpn for over 18 years, and i suppose it depends on the state you are practicing in where i am at i do iv push no caridac medpush though i do picc,mids,central lines and the sort, no blood trans even though i have the knowledge nope, i think lpns are a intricate part of the health care system and with the population aging , in place the need for ltc.subacute,chronic care wil increase along with specialtys tbis.pstds,ortho.pysch for the three wars.gulf,the strorm.ifredom wars there will be a great need indeed, so dont think that the lpn is done they arenot they are just beginning.watch and see medical technology people wanting to live longer and not just rolling over the lpn will always be there probably more training in technologyah the mind is a beautiful thing not to waste the boomers are different kind of gen they thrist for knowledge and expertise and alot of nurses are in this catagory hail to the lpns the greatest and the best!
our president is also 1/2 white, so that doesn't make a difference at all, now does it ?
Oh please, now I am nauseous!!! WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE WHAT COLOR A PERSON OR THEIR PARENTS ARE- WHAT WE SHOULD BE FOCUSING ON IS THE PERSONS ACCOMPLISHMENTS, ABILITIES AND DECISIONS.
Can we please end the racist aspect of this thread and focus on why we need LPN's, RN's,ADN's, BSN's, APN's!! It is demeaning.
Simply put in a perfect world we'd all have the time and money and ability to obtain our degrees, but in reality we all do what we gotta do - end of story and we have to stop judging each other and start supporting each other.
Each job has its place, we work together for the benefit of our patients.
Besides, We have bigger fish to fry- we have more important battles on our hands, with the economy going sour(er), we have to protect our profession and being divided among ourselves over stupid issues like race will only bring us down!!!
We should get rid of the LPNs and ADN RN programs and increase the size of BSN programs. Nurses work hard for their credentials, are smart and work hard in their jobs, let's get the degrees and respect and pay we deserve! I am sick of these martyr nurses who "don't care" about what the public thinks or how much money they earn because they "just want to help people." We should take pride in our skills and credentials, not a perverse pride in our selflessness. This is from an ADN prepared RN who now regrets not doing the extra work or paying the extra expense for the BSN. I do the same work as a BSN prepared nurse and am nearly as well educated (have a previous BA) abut I am "just" an ADN nurse. The LPN and ADN shouldn't even be available options. Plus I feel bad for the LPN nurses who have paid so much money for their educations at technical colleges and then often have to redo a lot of their education to get credit for it if they want to pursue a higher degree. It's a rip off.
People need to get over it already! LPNs aren't going anywhere sorry for those of you who think differently but your opinions and $1 will get you a cup of coffee and that's about it.
Sherafun
6 Posts
I have been an LPN for 18 yrs. There have been many times this subject has come up to get rid of LPN's. Some hospitals have gotten rid of LPN's and had just RN's and CNA's. Which they always find out that we are much more needed for our skills and abilities and the rumors stop.
Our Board of Nursing just changed LPN protrocols and now we can do assessments. It is called, "Focus assessments" there are a few others I can't remember at this moment, but the facilities/hospitals are trying to figure out how to mupdate job descriptions for. This is the State of Oregon.
Don't worry about the rumors, we are still here ingreat numbers and they need us!!!!!!