To renew an LPN license or not, once an RN?

Nurses General Nursing

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This is my renewal year for my LPN license, and now that I'm an RN, I'm not sure if I should renew it. What are the benefits of keeping it active? If I ever got my RN license revoked, could I still use the LPN?

Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

I am not sure you would be able to work as LVN if you lost RN license. In Texas the same Board of Nursing is over both. You could always reactivate. I think it is a waste of money to have both since you are held to the standard for the highest license you have.

I personally see no benefit of keeping my LPN license. I'm not keeping it for the very few jobs out there (and I suspect they are VERY few and far between) that I may want that would only hire an LPN. Would I really want a job that would only hire an LPN? Let myself be paid LPN wages but held (by the state board) to RN responsibilities?

I don't think I'd want to work for a facility that would be so willing to take advantage of me in that manner. I'm sure that's their dream--hire RNs to work for LPN pay on their old LPN licenses, but get RN work out of them. I don't think we need to allow facilities to get away with that.

I'm going to keep mine so that I can make a little side money at my current job after I graduate with my RN in '09. My job only uses RNs on one unit and I don't want to work there. The only other option is house supervisor and as a new grad RN I would not feel capable in that capacity.

I am pretty much used to my role as an LPN in my current facility and until I feel that same level of ability as an RN I will work per diem in my current job.

I feel that I am going to have enough to learn as a new RN without trying to score OT (as an RN) at the same time.

Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.
ITA, but you will see posts here from ex LPN's who keep both licenses valid because if they want to work in LTC where they won't pay for an RN then they work on their LPN license. It makes absolutely no sense to me to keep an LPN license when you have your RN license. As said, why pay for both? But well, to each his own. I personally wouldn't do it. Congratulations on getting your RN :nurse:

Just reading recently added post. If a nurse is practicing on one license because the other has been revoked or disciplined, I would imagine said nurse would be in even more trouble when they get caught. Shame on them, that's not ethical, not in the least.

But, I can't see it happening especially if the nurse held both licenses in the same state. The BON is the BON for both, and they would investigate both. In addition, unless the RN license has been expired, she would be held to the standard of the higher license, even though she was hired to work as an LPN somewhere. This is why most people let the lesser license go. I have friends that have maintained both, however. Usually it is for economical reasons...some money is better than none...that is their reasoning for keeping both.

Basically, I know I could get way more as a per diem RN but I am worried about the way the economy is going right now. What if it takes me a while to find an RN position? At least I have a union job right now as an LPN and I agree Pagandeva, something is certainly better than nothing.

But, I can't see it happening especially if the nurse held both licenses in the same state. The BON is the BON for both, and they would investigate both. In addition, unless the RN license has been expired, she would be held to the standard of the higher license, even though she was hired to work as an LPN somewhere. This is why most people let the lesser license go. I have friends that have maintained both, however. Usually it is for economical reasons...some money is better than none...that is their reasoning for keeping both.
I'm n0t sure h0w it is in all states but I was t0ld that in my state that 0nce y0u have an RN license y0u may n0t practice as an LPN. Y0u must practice with the higher license. S0rry f0r the wierd 0's. My regular 0 0n my lapt0p has quit w0-rking and I have t0 use the zer0 whenever I need a 0.

:D

You totally made my day. Google "key mapping". You can change any keyboard key to another key.

Specializes in Geriatrics.
ITA, but you will see posts here from ex LPN's who keep both licenses valid because if they want to work in LTC where they won't pay for an RN then they work on their LPN license. It makes absolutely no sense to me to keep an LPN license when you have your RN license. As said, why pay for both? But well, to each his own. I personally wouldn't do it. Congratulations on getting your RN :nurse:

Just reading recently added post. If a nurse is practicing on one license because the other has been revoked or disciplined, I would imagine said nurse would be in even more trouble when they get caught. Shame on them, that's not ethical, not in the least.

I don't pay for my LPN, but instead of letting it go, I put it on "inactive" so if for some reason, heaven forbid, I get disciplined as an RN, I could still work on my LPN. This may have changed though since I did that back in 1998...

Blessings, Michelle

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