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?
I think probably for liability. An RN is held a higher standard of practice. However why would an RN want to practice as an LPN?
In some parts,lpn ads outnumber ads for rns. If someone can't find a job as an rn,I don't see a problem with them aapplying for an lpn position since the 2 licenses are basicallthe same? What I think is happening is that employers are putting ads for lpn in the newspaper but they know some rns are going to apply and -they just get an rn without paying for an rn. I've seen plenty of rns write on allnurses that they excepted an lpn position. Heck,even I was going to apply for a can or pct position but I just figured I go back to my home state and start working.
Specializes in Emergency Dept., Critical Care Transport.
In response to RN's getting jobs as LPN's ---- It depends greatly on which state you're practicing in --- In the state of Pennsylvania (where I was licensed as an LPN --- then 4 1/2 years later I was licensed as an RN) the law is quite clear --- An RN can only practice as an LPN if she/he has a current license in that state to practice as an LPN --- It's not a matter of the RN being educated enough to function as an LPN --- You must hold a license as an LPN to practice as an LPN --- And a RN can only practice as an RN if she/he holds a current license in the state to practice as an RN.
Another interesting point ---- I'm an RN that worked in a Level I trauma center --- I was certified as a CEN (Certified Emergency Nurse) --- I was certified in Critical Care Nursing, Certified in Advanced Trauma Nursing, Ceritified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Certified in Pediatric Advanced Life Support --- I worked as a Critical Care Transport Nurse --- Here's the interesting part --- I could not work as a Paramedic in the "911 Emergency Response System" unless I took a six month Paramedic Course and became cerified as a Paramedic --- So, as you can see --- it's not a matter of having the knowlege to function and perform the duties of the position --- It's a matter of what license and state certifications you currently have --- You can debate endlessly about how many years experience you have and that you have the ability to function at a higher level but as far as the state is concerned --- you can not legaly practice at a higher level unless you are licenced to do so --- as for LPN's who perform at levels that are more advanced than that of other LPN's ---- I remember that one of my instructors told me to always ask myself --- Is it that the institution is "Using" LPN's to function at their highest level? Or are they "Abusing" LPN's to function at a higher level than they're legally allowed to? --- You have to protect yourself --- Always --- Your patients need you --- and you become useless to them if you lose your license because you're practicing above your scope of nursing practice.
I think probably for liability. An RN is held a higher standard of practice. However why would an RN want to practice as an LPN?
It's not a higher standard of practice. Both RNs and LPNs are held the the standard of "best practice" and the RN has some things she can do that the LPN isn't permitted to.
I hold an RN license. I could go out and study my brains out and learn all about intubating a patient and how to manage deep sedation for all sorts of patient cases and watch all the difficult cases and learn all the juicy (and not so juicy) stuff about functioning in a CRNA role. I could even take a bunch of classes that the CRNA's take in order to really 'round out' my knowledge base. I could assist the CRNA and get a general feel for what to do and what not to do. I could spend many years getting all the basics ironed out so that I felt competent to function in a CRNA role. That would not make me a CRNA, nor allow me to practice as a CRNA.
The difference between an RN and a CRNA is two fold;
the FORMAL/DIDACTIC education and
passing a FORMAL competency test to function as a CRNA
The difference between an RN and an LPN is two fold;
the FORMAL/DIDACTIC education and
passing a FORMAL competency test to function as either a RN or an LPN.
The difference between an LPN and an MD is two fold;
the FORMAL/DIDACTIC education and
passing a FORMAL competency test to function as either an LPN or an MD.
It does not matter how much time lapses between when each discipline stopped formal education. It only matters what the focus of that education was, and what was learned in order to pass that formal competency test. (If you didn't learn it well enough - or you're just not a good test taker.....you're not going to wind up with the license.)
As far as the difference between LPN and RN practice goes, what I have personally observed in my own LPN and then LVN practice in different states, is that each state and each hospital within that state will restrict LVN and LPN practice according to what the general rule of thumb is for that area. (You see.....the local administrators and managers talk amongst themselves and compare notes). I could hang blood in one state, but not another. I could hang IV's in one hospital, but not another. I could take care of PICC/Central lines in one state, but not the other. I could do MDS's in long term care in one setting, but not in the acute care setting.
LVN's/LPN's shouldn't feel left out in the practice restriction department. As an RN, I can't do diddly-squat beyond the "basic" nursing stuff without doing some extra "see-I'm-not-going-to-kill-the-patient" competency based testing, or extra class time learning, or obtaining some certification.
It's all ever-evolving and changing too. Somewhere, right now as you read this, some RN or LVN is out there doing some hare-brained, idiotic, "sentinal event" type thing that either kills a patient or comes pretty darn close. Management is going to notice and they will notify legal. Then a legal team is going to decide to restrict someone's role even further in order to prevent it from ever happening again. Scopes of practice in that area will change again.
The difference between LPN and RN practice is what is allowed in your area. And it won't stay the same forever.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Thanks, BornHealer, that's the most cogent explanation of the whole brew of contradictory answers and explanations I've seen in regard to that issue-- when someone is thinking of accepting a job as a CNA or an LPN/LVN when they are an RN.
Luckily, I've never been asked to do anything that could be described as abusing an LVN to do something illegal. As has been said, that varies tremendously depending on where you work and live. It's extremely important then, especially for people who move or travel, to know what is the scope of practice for that state, even if they've done it successfully for years in another location.
:) Pay is the difference. Ultimately the Registered nurse oversee's & is responsiblefor the nurses under him/her. lpn,nurses aide,med tech. Check with the facility .
:) Pay is the difference. Ultimately the Registered nurse oversee's & is responsiblefor the nurses under him/her. lpn,nurses aide,med tech. Check with the facility .
You also need to check state or provincial regulations. In my province I am responsible for my practice. Not an RN.
In some parts,lpn ads outnumber ads for rns. If someone can't find a job as an rn,I don't see a problem with them aapplying for an lpn position since the 2 licenses are basicallthe same? What I think is happening is that employers are putting ads for lpn in the newspaper but they know some rns are going to apply and -they just get an rn without paying for an rn. I've seen plenty of rns write on allnurses that they excepted an lpn position. Heck,even I was going to apply for a can or pct position but I just figured I go back to my home state and start working.
I don't understand. I'm talking about what if an rn wanted to apply to an lpn without an lpn license. Since rns have a license can they work under their license but the posts above answered it well.
One question: if the licenses are similiar why can't an rn practice as an lpn?
Just a question to add to my knowledge,as I always get different reponses.)
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I'm not quite sure why you think that the licenses are similar. Have you checked with the BON of your state to see what is the difference between an LPN and an RN? As has been pointed out by many people, sometimes there isn't a lot of difference. Sometimes there is. Sometimes an LPN can get additional certification, such as with IV or ventilators that makes the lines between the two roles even more blurred.
Bottom line - we are all nurses. We provide patient care, we advocate for our patients and we educate them. We are licensed individuals with a state defined scope of practice. With education we have opportunities to expand that scope of practice.
As an RN who has also been an LPN, and has even had both licenses at the same time, I could not practice as an LPN because I am held accountable to the highest level of my licensing. There is a difference in the expectations of practice between an RN and an LPN. And again, I would suggest you look at your BON and see what they tell you is the difference in your state. Just because someone is an RN does not mean they can automatically be hired for an LPN job, they don't even hold that license.
GM2RN
1,850 Posts
Probably because many RNs aren't finding RN jobs and are willing to work for less pay rather than nothing at all.