RN vs LPN

Do a search on Allnurses. This topic has been discussed. Google it also.

ditto

In my state, North Carolina, LPNs cannot give blood or heparin. They also cannot do the initial assessment on a patient no matter what department they are working in. When LPNs do an assessment, they cannot do any critical thinking. If they notice that the blood pressure is low, or the heart rate is up, or the breath sounds don't sound right, they have to report it to the RN immediately. It is then up to the RN to come in and reassess the patient and determine what is going on. Finally, they cannot do any patient teaching regarding any subject. Because of this, most hospitals in my area no longer hire LPNs at all, and the ones that do put them in very low acuity units (mainly hospice-like units where people are dying and don't need complex medical care, or the minor care section of the emergency department that sees things like the common cold, broken fingers and toes, and sprains and strains). I don't think I know of any hospital within 100 miles of me that still hires LPNs. Around here, you can really only work in a nursing home or long term care facility if you are an LPN.

OP - this topic causes...issues. Sometimes. When you have delegation you will understand it much more clearly.