The difference between lvn and rn?

U.S.A. Texas

Published

Specializes in nursing home, clinic, homehealth.

Can anyone tell me the difference between LVN and RN besides amount of school? What can a LVN not do that an RN can?

Steph:)

sorry this dosent have anything to do with your question, but i am new and i want to post a thread. how do i do it? again soryr i couldnt answer.:balloons:

Specializes in nursing home, clinic, homehealth.

At the top of the home page there is a new thread button. click on this and post your question.

Steph

sorry this dosent have anything to do with your question, but i am new and i want to post a thread. how do i do it? again soryr i couldnt answer.:balloons:

I don't know what LVN's can do in Texas. I know they are more like the "doers" in virginia-they implement actions. RN's are responsible for assessments, and if an LPN assesses, the RN must sign off on the assessment saying she agrees in some facilities. RN's can delegate tasks to LPN's and CNA's. LPN's can not delegate to RN's, but can to CNA's. Not really sure much more about it.

From what I can gather there are some basics ie: initial assesments. Other than that much of it is based on institution policy. If the hospital I work at says I can hang blood, I can hang blood. Not that they would. And, I would still have to observe MY patient for a reaction and act accordingly. It's crazy but there are limited guidlines in TX and much is left to the discretion of the Employer. :uhoh3:

RN's in Tx must do the initial assessment, LVN's evaluate. RN's may assign patients and duties to an LVN, but only delegate to unlicensed personnel. LVN's may not assign to RN's, but may also delegate to unlicensed staff. In our facility LVNs are not allowed to administer blood or IV push meds, but other facilities allow this with a demonstrated competency.

So RN's don't delegate to LVN's in Tx? I need to read the NPA again!

I looked up the delegation paragraph in the NPA. RN's may delegate to LVN's. Sorry.

RN's are also responsible for the plan of care.

It is my understanding the LVN's in Texas will be getting a practice act in the near future. This should clear up some questions we all have from time to time.

Rns can push IV meds and hang blood. Lvns do alot of RN work for much less respect and pay. Not all Rns but there are quite a few that will let you know one way or the other that they are the "RN" and your "just an LVN" and will quickly tell you that you need to go back to school if you want to suggest to them what to do (even if you have the skills and knowledge). I have worked with an RN who will act like shes not listening to me and a few days later exactly how I told her to handle a situation or ideas i gave her to help remedy a situation she will say them as if she thought of it all on her own. I just look at her and she cant even look me in the eye. WOW!!!!

Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.
not all rns but there are quite a few that will let you know one way or the other that they are the "rn" and your "just an lvn" and will quickly tell you that you need to go back to school if you want to suggest to them what to do (even if you have the skills and knowledge).
you might as well be paid more for the skills and knowledge that you do have by attaining an rn license. i was an lvn for four years, and i concluded that it made no sense for me to perform duties that were almost identical to the rn without receiving the same pay.

now that i am an rn, nothing about my nursing practice has changed. the major difference is that i'm earning a lot more money now that the rn title is behind my name.

Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

since you are posting this in the texas forum ill add my notes to this....texas lvn's are allowed to do iv pushes in texas, however there are certain medications that cannot be given by the lvn. our lvn's push all kinds of goodies....we work together and function as a team ....i was a lvn then rn (asn) then got my bsn...my practice has not changed and i routinely seek assistance from other nurses and several of them are lvn's....they have been around the block and know their s**t...:yeah:on another note isnt this post old.....

oh and texas lvn's are allowed to monitor blood just not initiate it...but who wants that job anyway....

rns can push iv meds and hang blood. lvns do alot of rn work for much less respect and pay. not all rns but there are quite a few that will let you know one way or the other that they are the "rn" and your "just an lvn" and will quickly tell you that you need to go back to school if you want to suggest to them what to do (even if you have the skills and knowledge). i have worked with an rn who will act like shes not listening to me and a few days later exactly how i told her to handle a situation or ideas i gave her to help remedy a situation she will say them as if she thought of it all on her own. i just look at her and she cant even look me in the eye. wow!!!!
+ Add a Comment