RN with LPN license

[Rhonda V]

I have been an RN for 10 years, and I recently decided to re-activate my LPN license. The reason I did so is because some of the places I'd like to work (like walk-in clinics) are only wanting to hire LPN's. I know I'd be making less money, but that's OK. These are the types of jobs that I'm most interested in. So far I've been turned down by two places before even getting an interview. I thought that having an LPN license in addition to an RN license would make me a more desireable choice. I know that it might look questionable why an RN would want to work as an LPN, but I'm not asking to be paid as much as an RN. Can you think of any reasons why they'd turn me down? Am I too overqualified? Thank You!

[Fiona59]

I've worked in a clinic that employs only LPNs and NPs. They refuse to hire RNs for clinic duty regardless if they are willing to work for clinic nurse wages. The few times that they did try it, they found the RNs wanting to become the "Charge" nurse and try and move the LPNs out of the jobs to hire their friends. On had a huge chip on her shoulder with assisting the NPs, felt they should clean up after themselves.

There is usually a reason other than cost of staff that determines what level of nurse is employed in a clinic. This clinic had just found RNs on staff felt that many of the very basic care jobs found there beneath them (incontinent seniors), just wanted to work school hours to be available for their families, etc.

[BinkieRN, BSN, RN]

This clinic had just found RNs on staff felt that many of the very basic care jobs found there beneath them (incontinent seniors), just wanted to work school hours to be available for their families, etc.

Don't put all RN's in the same catagory, we're not all like that

[Thornbird]

My state also allows RN's to maintain LPN licensing. I am an LPN and worked in a clinic which I loved. This was the problem, both LPN's and Medical Assistants were expected to work out of their legal scope (ie, assessments on urgent care patientswhich they called "screening"). I had to leave after checking this out with my BON. I tried to explain it to the management but met much hostility. I think an RN is probably considered to be more "up to date" on scope of practice and more likely to "cause problems" becuase of it. Since, in this state, the RN is automatically "supervisor" of LPN's and unlicensed caregivers (MA's not licensed), it puts the RN in a difficult position. Even working under your LPN license you would be expected to know the scope.

There are clinics, usually the Federally Qualified Community Health Centers who use nursing staff appropriately and hire RN's and LPN's. The pay is less than other areas but the benefits are usually good.

[suni, BSN, RN]

I can tell you for a fact that legally you will be held to the standard of an RN. I also had an LPN license and maintained it for years, just in case, but knowing that I am held to the RN standard at a lower rate of pay I finally let my LPN license become inactive. You need to be careful.

[woody62, RN]

I held a NYS LPN license for four years until after I received my RN license and allowed it to lapse. The reason I allowed it to lapse was I was informed that if I ever returned to working as a LPN, I would still be held to the standard of the higher license unless I allowed the higher license to lapse. I also saw no point to holding two licenses, when I was only utilizing one.

Woody:twocents:

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I've worked in a clinic that employs only LPNs and NPs. They refuse to hire RNs for clinic duty regardless if they are willing to work for clinic nurse wages. The few times that they did try it, they found the RNs wanting to become the "Charge" nurse and try and move the LPNs out of the jobs to hire their friends. On had a huge chip on her shoulder with assisting the NPs, felt they should clean up after themselves.

There is usually a reason other than cost of staff that determines what level of nurse is employed in a clinic. This clinic had just found RNs on staff felt that many of the very basic care jobs found there beneath them (incontinent seniors), just wanted to work school hours to be available for their families, etc.

Don't put all RN's in the same catagory, we're not all like that

I don't think that Fiona was generalizing RNs, just speaking of the experience of her particular facility.

I was thinking at first that I would have probably maintained both licenses, but after seeing the complications, I would probably let one expire. I was reading the disciplinary actions at the web site of licensed employees in my state and noticed that those that received probation, suspensions and such that held both licenses had BOTH suspended, due to being held to a higher standard.

[pagandeva2000, LPN]

I held a NYS LPN license for four years until after I received my RN license and allowed it to lapse. The reason I allowed it to lapse was I was informed that if I ever returned to working as a LPN, I would still be held to the standard of the higher license unless I allowed the higher license to lapse. I also saw no point to holding two licenses, when I was only utilizing one.

Woody:twocents:

Thank you; that was what I was asking, if a person decided to allow the higher license to lapse (although, I wouldn't understand why a person would do that). Only thing I wonder, though. The higher license being lapsed and keeping the LPN; that nurse did not lose her RN nursing knowledge, wouldn't that still leave the LPN liable because she/he was in fact trained and was licensed before as an RN. Would that mean anything in a court of law? Thanks for the clarification, woody62.

[RN1989]

There is no need to keep an LPN license also. If you can convince a facility to hire you into what they consider an LPN position, you will still be held to the standards of an RN education. You will also need to identify yourself as an RN, not an LPN.

Anytime you work, you are held to the highest standards of care that your education and licensure indicate.

Some employers still will not hire you due to the risk of you leaving the position. They believe that if you are relegated to an LPN position, that either the pay or the job description will eventually make you unhappy. Too great a risk of turnover.

[RedSox33RN]

I've never been anywere were you could have both licenses. Everywere I've been you give up your LPN when you get the RN. If you've still got the RN, you liability may still be as an RN. I'd do a little more homework on the legality of it all.

That's what I thought also. I know in my state the BON states that on their website, or that one license must be INactive before issuing the other.