Trying to understand difference between LPN and RN practice....

[lovesunsets]

I've been wondering about this lately...

Just from reading on here, I've become aware of some of the differences between LPNs and RNs. Some of the things I've read were pushing IV meds and a few other things I can't recall them. But it doesn't seem like there is a whole lot of difference between the pn and rn. Am I wrong? Please fill me in...

I am not a nurse. I've applied to an LPN program...hoping & praying I get in.

Here's my question to the nurses- If there aren't THAT many differences between the 2, why is there such a difference in pay?

And if I am wrong, please inform me....

Thanks so much everyone:)

[caliotter3]

There is a difference in pay because there can be a difference in pay. Employers take advantage of that fact. In general terms.

[juliaann]

There is a difference in pay because there is a difference in responsibilities and required education.

[lovesunsets]

But what are those differences (responsibilities) ?

[caliotter3]

The RN takes supervisory responsibility when an RN and an LPN are both assigned in a facility. There are other specific responsibilities that are delineated by the practice acts of both job titles in each state. For example, in most instances the RN is generally responsible for assessments. It is the signature of an RN that is required on the assessment form (although in many instances the LPN may do an assessment and the RN signs off on it as a matter of practicality, if not following the rule book exactly).

[spider11]

The differences depend on the state/hospital that you work in. I work at a hospital in Indiana and right now, the only difference is that an LPN cannot initiate blood and cannot do an admission physical assessment. Oh..and they cannot "note" their own orders. That's it. The pay increase is significant. I went from LPN to RN and my pay difference with shift diff and weekend option pay was almost $18/hr. Quite a jump.

[Cathylady]

i don't understand why lpn's seem to be defensive (an observation i've made on allnurses) about the pay and the responsibility differentials. rn’s have more schooling than lpn’s hence they should get paid more; msn’s have more schooling than bsn’s and they get paid more. it’s just a fact of life.

more schooling = more pay. it’s fair.

[CathyLew]

in our hospital, the LPN can not do an assessment on a patient. They can take down factual information. Height wt, vita signs, medications. But they can not assess a patient or create a nursing diagnosis or plan of care.

LPN's can pas medications, but can not give IV push meds, can not give the first dose of an antibiotic. They can not run a code. they can not take a verbal order from an MD. they can transcribe orders, but the order must be verified or checked by an RN before it can be carried out.

The LPN's can not hang anything on a central line or PICC line. They can not discontinue a central, picc or arterial line. they can not hang Blood.

I hear all the time at our hospital, the LPN's complaining that they do the brunt of the work, and get the least pay....but when the **** hits the fan, its the RN's ass that is hanging in most cases. the RN oversees the LPN in the professional hospital setting at hour hospital. Even when an LPN messes up, the RN's name also goes on the incident report.

and for that, the RN's aren't paid enough.

[lovesunsets]

CathyLew- I can totally see your point. (the end of your post)

Like I said, I'm not a nurse...but I know exactly what you mean. At my non-nursing job, for example, manager calls to check up, "I want you to have so and so work on this, etc. Yadda Yadda, this and that." Thankfully there have been no BIG problems, but I've wanted to say so many times, "LOOK, I DON'T GET PAID TO DO THIS. If you'd like to give me a raise, then I'd be more than happy."

So I can totally see your point there. I think that goes for many professions.

[CathyLew]

I do need to add here.... there are LPN's at my hospital that I would want to take care of me over some of the RN's. the schooling only goes so far. Common sense, experience, etc.... all add up. But that doesn't matter in most cases when it comes to pay, or liability.

Same with any profession. And maybe that is why some of the LPN's that post here do have that defensiveness. If you are great at your job, you resent someone who is a slacker who makes a but-load of money more than you do. But that is life. (heck, look at management!) :thankya: oh, wait....I am management!

[ok2bme]

Yeah..here in Texas LVNs often carry the same pt load and acuity on Med/Surg floors. Only difference seems to be the pay..however LTC pays pretty good, low-mid 20s/hr for LPNs..same pay as me, an RN/BSN

[Baloney Amputation, BSN, LPN, RN]

States are incredibly different on what an LPN is allowed to do. I've worked in Iowa and Oregon as an LPN, and Iowa limits their LPNs much more than Oregon limits their LPNs, at least in my experience. The LPNs in Oregon did much of what the RNs did, while in Iowa there was a very clear line as to what the LPN could and could not do because the RN and LPN roles were quite different.