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?
Specializes in Mother-Baby, Rehab, Hospice, Memory Care.
Yeah, What state are you in? I am in California and I CAN do IV's, BUT I had to pay for and go to a class to become IV therapy and BLood withdrawal certified.
Notice that that poster said he/she learned that in nursing school. The textbook perspective and for the NCLEX-RN, the LPN scope of practice is way different than in real life.
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.
I just wanted to say one more thing....Just because a person has RN behind their name, vs. LVN/LPN, it doesn't mean that they are automatically a "better" or more competent nurse. I have worked with plenty of RN's who could make your head spin! Most recently an RN got terminated for charting she did a dressing change when infact she didn't. For 3 days in a row! Just saying, beyond the degree we hold, we are all nurses. Yes, the RN has more education than the LVN. I do have an associates degree, it just doesn't happen to be an ADN. So to hear comments like when the **** hits the fan it's the RN's ass hanging kind of bother me. I am accountable for my own actions, and do not expect anyone else to be accountable for me. As we all should be.
So to hear comments like when the **** hits the fan it's the RN's ass hanging kind of bother me. I am accountable for my own actions, and do not expect anyone else to be accountable for me. As we all should be.
While I agree with that in principle, the reality is that when the whistle blows, even the piano player goes.
Two friends of mine were recently arrested on charges of criminal negligence. The LPN performed the act in question, the RN was the supervisor.
They return to work tomorrow. Exonerated of all charges. Straight dismissal.
-Start blood transfusion, but can monitor afterwards.
A shift assessment must be done by an RN every 24 hours, so for example....if the LVN has had the same patient for a couple of days (day & night shift) then the RN must do a shift assessment.
OP:
I would advise any one going back to school to go for RN instead of LVN. I know
certain circumstances exist when one needs a degree quicker than what you can
get going the associates route. So if you do get you're LVN first, please stay in
school and don't waste any time going for your RN, because science classes usually expire and have to be re-taken after 5 years. I work with an LVN that has been
a nurse for over 10 years and she is having to take A&P, Micro all over again and
is really struggling with work and school.
The hospital I work is no longer hiring LVNs and so are a lot of other hospitals in
my area. They seem to be fading them out slowly but surely. Also, you're options
will be less as far as employment opportunities. I started to go for my LVN first
but went ahead with the RN route, it took longer, but I'm so glad I did because
from what I see of bridge programs from LVN to RN school seem so ridiculous,
it's like going to nursing school all over, an LVN can only test out of the first of
five semesters.
Good luck with your nursing studies. Work hard and be determined and you'll
Yes, the RN has more education than the LVN. I do have an associates degree, it just doesn't happen to be an ADN.
I usually stay out of these conversations, but this just bothered me. I don't understand what you mean by "I have an associate's degree, it just doesn't happen to be an ADN." (Emphasis mine.)
I already have a bachelor's degree...in English lit. That doesn't make me an RN-BSN.
Yeah, What state are you in? I am in California and I CAN do IV's, BUT I had to pay for and go to a class to become IV therapy and BLood withdrawal certified.
Many of you said that a big difference is the education. RNs have more nursing classes, plus pre-reqs. I have an associates degree (general) and I have applied to an LPN program because that's the route I want to go right now. I will probably want to bridge to RN sometime or another.
If I get accepted into this program, do you guys think that having the associates degree would possibly able me to make more, even though I wouldn't be an RN?
Thanks
As others have mentioned, no, it will not get you any more money. Experience as a LPN will get you more as the years go by OR getting your RN.
The associates will help you get your RN quicker, depending on what classes you already have, what you need and what your grade point is.
I agree. If I had relied on my nursing program to provide me with ALL the education I needed to understand nursing, I would not be very smart. This is NOT because my program was academically faulty, it's because no program in any discipline can teach you everything. It's like education plus experience isn't enough...you have to desire more knowledge and that can only come from within. A thirst for knowledge...ya know?
Even if each of the states did not have differing rules on scope of practice, looking at the role of RN or LPN through a task based lens is myopic. I did not know this until quite recently, but was surprised to learn that LPN programs do not teach nursing diagnoses. I image that one of the bigger challenges for a LPN going through a RN program is not the physical tasks, but the learning of a "new language". It's just a different approach to learning.
It isn't enough to care. It isn't enough to be intelligent. It isn't enough to have good technical skills or enough to have excellent communication skills. It's the integration of all the above PLUS an open mind to learn more...always. This is true of every person in every profession. My clinical skills are not as good as the average LPN, despite going through all but 2.5 months of a RN program. And I've seen LPN's and even CNA's who's thirst for knowledge outshines many RN's I've encountered. It's the person that counts, not the title. In my opinion!
I misspoke. Some LPN programs do indeed teach nursing diagnoses. My bad! = )
I was an LPN for a few years at a long term care facility before returning to get my RN. An LPN is considered "the bedside nurse." The LPN will typically care for a more stable patient. Our hospital has phased out most of the LPNs at the bedside. From what I understand the RNs were not adaquately supervising the LPNs and it was more the RN's fault we no longer have LPNs at the bedside. The RN must perform the initial assessment and initate the plan of care. An LPN can hang IV meds,or anything mixed by the pharmacy. They can not mix anything in a bag of IV fluid (which is a requirement in a few of our rural hospitals). When I went to school the IV certification course was part of my training, but a few LPNs had to return to school. In LTC we were able to take telephone orders, note orders. LPNs are also not allowed to draw from a central line. Depending on the facility LPNs can serve as charge nurses. At the LTC facility I worked at if we were above a certain number of patients we had to have an in house RN 24hours. I think the best place to practice as an LPN was in a LTC because you are functioning at your hightest level (at the hospital our LPNs function as CNAs and we call them all "support staff"). It was great experience the patients being dischrged from the hospital into the LTC facilitys today are sicker than they have been and are quite challenging requiring a skilled nurse at the bedside. As for the pay it only makes sense that someone who has more training would make more money. I think if it bothers an LPN too much she should return to school and get her RN.
I just wanted to say one more thing....Just because a person has RN behind their name, vs. LVN/LPN, it doesn't mean that they are automatically a "better" or more competent nurse. I have worked with plenty of RN's who could make your head spin! Most recently an RN got terminated for charting she did a dressing change when infact she didn't. For 3 days in a row! Just saying, beyond the degree we hold, we are all nurses. Yes, the RN has more education than the LVN. I do have an associates degree, it just doesn't happen to be an ADN. So to hear comments like when the **** hits the fan it's the RN's ass hanging kind of bother me. I am accountable for my own actions, and do not expect anyone else to be accountable for me. As we all should be.
No, it doesn't "automatically" mean that, but there are incompetent LPN's out there, too. It was mentioned by a PP that one reason LPN's get defensive about their duties/pay/education is because if they work their buns off, they get mad when an RN slacks, but still has a higher wage. Most RN's aren't slackers. Most are competent. I am sure there are just as many lazy, incompetent LPN's as there are RN's.
pink, I get that you worked with an RN who falsified records and did not perform a dressing change that she said she did. This wasn't because she was an RN, this was because she was lazy. She would have done the same thing if she were an LPN, because that's HER way, not her title's way. An LPN is just as capable of that behavior, if that's the type of person they are.
You can't take one, or two, or several bad examples of RN's to deem them one way, and you can't do it with LPN's, either.
kat7ap
526 Posts
Notice that that poster said he/she learned that in nursing school. The textbook perspective and for the NCLEX-RN, the LPN scope of practice is way different than in real life.