any reason to keep Lpn lic. after getting Rn?

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · Feb 22, 2019

I imagine that if you lost your RN license there'd be a reason you probably shouldn't practice as an LVN/LPN... and maintaining that license wouldn't be a work-around. Congratulations to you!

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · Feb 22, 2019

The only reason I can think to keep your first license is if RN jobs are in short supply and you see an LPN position you'd be interested in. There are some types of positions (at least in my area) where LPNs are used in lieu of RNs to save money. Of course if it comes down to it, a lesser-paying job is better than no job...

Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM · Feb 23, 2019

12 hours ago, Jedrnurse said:
The only reason I can think to keep your first license is if RN jobs are in short supply and you see an LPN position you'd be interested in. There are some types of positions (at least in my area) where LPNs are used in lieu of RNs to save money. Of course if it comes down to it, a lesser-paying job is better than no job...

You can still apply as an RN even if you have never been an LPN and get paid the same as an LPN. There is no rule on that. It's done all the time. Same thing with APRNs working as RNs until they find a job.

Maintaining LPN licensure is a waste of time and some states don't allow you to have both.

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · Feb 23, 2019

2 hours ago, Jory said:
You can still apply as an RN even if you have never been an LPN and get paid the same as an LPN. There is no rule on that. It's done all the time. Same thing with APRNs working as RNs until they find a job.
Maintaining LPN licensure is a waste of time and some states don't allow you to have both.

My state does allow both licenses to be kept. I have spoken to some employers that prefer not to staff an LPN slot with an RN because they think that the person will be quicker to bail when an RN position (with higher rate of pay) comes their way...

Jory, MSN, APRN, CNM · Feb 23, 2019

2 minutes ago, Jedrnurse said:
My state does allow both licenses to be kept. I have spoken to some employers that prefer not to staff an LPN slot with an RN because they think that the person will be quicker to bail when an RN position (with higher rate of pay) comes their way...

Which is silly because you'll be held to the RN standard if something happens. You can't speak for every employer, there are other reasons besides pay that people need a job, sometimes it is location, area of work, getting their foot in the door of a practice, or the schedule works with their lifestyle.

Not hiring an RN when they are willing to accept LPN pay is frankly..pretty stupid of the employer. It's just an excuse for HR to cry about how they can't find anyone.

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · Feb 23, 2019

2 minutes ago, Jory said:
Which is silly because you'll be held to the RN standard if something happens. You can't speak for every employer, there are other reasons besides pay that people need a job, sometimes it is location, area of work, getting their foot in the door of a practice, or the schedule works with their lifestyle.
Not hiring an RN when they are willing to accept LPN pay is frankly..pretty stupid of the employer. It's just an excuse for HR to cry about how they can't find anyone.

1. Yes, I cannot speak for every employer. I don't think I claimed that I did.

2. If I saw an absolute dream-come-true position that was listed as an LPN slot, yeah I'd consider applying.

3. re: HR/employer stupidity- Sure, there are plenty of common sense-challenged employers. We read about them on any given day on AN.

Editorial Team / Admin · Feb 23, 2019

On 2/22/2019 at 4:01 PM, ruby_jane said:
I imagine that if you lost your RN license there'd be a reason you probably shouldn't practice as an LVN/LPN... and maintaining that license wouldn't be a work-around. Congratulations to you!

Not to mention that if something is found against one license, pretty much every state dings all licenses associated with that person. Every application for licensure by endorsement I've every seen has asked "have you ever had an action taken against a license in another state" and not "have you ever had an action taken against this exact license you want to endorse in another state" - they will look at everything.