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 am currently an LPN working in an acute care hospital. I do not work to full scope due to the preference of my employer. Scope depends on where you work. The job of LPN's and RN's are similar but the RN takes the administrative and supervisory roles more and includes more critical thinking, where the LPN's job is more of a task oriented role of patient care. LPN's and RN's do assessments and collaborate in care - LPN's can't do IV meds etc. Although there is more schooling for RN's but don't forget the role of experience. As an LPN who has been practicing for almost 10years, I have seen more and done more than a new grad RN and many times have encountered new grads who are extremely lacking in skills/knowledge due to their lack of experience. Don't ever discount the value of experience.
I've been an LPN for 16 years and have lived in FL, TX, LA, MS and IA. I liked living in the south for many reasons and one was that they let LPN's do a lot more than in IL or IA. I'm IV therapy certified so I can give IV meds and start and IV. I can draw blood, but can't hang it. Right now I work in home health because of a medical problem and make $18/hr. I work for a agency that does health fairs and make $25-$35 hour, but it is only part time now and then. I was studying for my RN but my medical problem makes me unable to be on my feet for any length of time so I've switched programs to health service management.
Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Surgical, Renal, Oncology.
I'm not sure about the differences in pay regarding LPN's and RN's as all I have ever been is an RN. I have gone to school with LPN's and worked with them too. My current Magnet hospital does not employ LPN's and only use RN's with BSN degrees or higher. It's my understanding the difference is LPN's are taught how to do things and RN's are taught how and why. Also, there may be liability issues. The differences in responsilibilities in LPN's and RN's depend on what environment you work in, the laws, and nurse practice acts. I hope this helps.
Good luck on your acceptance into the nursing program and your nursing career. Follow your dreams just make sure it is what you want before you spend all your time and money pursuing your nursing career.
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
Oh my...this is a HUGE issue in the northeast. We, very experienced, talented, educated, LPN's have been cleaned out of ALL the hospitals. Personally speaking, I have 20+ years of Critical care nursing and Emergency dept nursing. I have done it all and seen it all. I have mentored numerous student nurses. All while side by side with the RN. Or instructing an RN on how to do something. So many times a physician, of any specialty, has asked to have ME assist. But then, the state, NH, in my case has phased us out. Not an issue with the salary for me because I LOVED MY JOB! Now, I have trouble finding a job other than homecare. I carry BLS, ACLS, PALS, etc. I have always kept my credentials current, I have fulfilled all the state requirements to continue my licensure. I don't have the proper paperwork to be accepted to a nursing school at this point without starting from scratch. It has left me with many many tears and now building anger. I feel useless. Know this won't get me anywhere to tell you these things, but man, someone should take a step back and look at what a loss these facilities have had.
Yours is not the first story like that I have read here. It just plain sucks. I was out of nursing raising kids for a while, so I didn't have as much to be yanked out from under me. I am so sorry this has happened to you.(((hugs)))
The lesson I have learned is that like that slogan on the top of a Nursing journal "the times change and we must change with them". When I got my LVN, we worked everywhere and jobs were aplenty. Not so anymore. I'm old enough now that it has less overall effect on my life, so I don't have a big urgency to get my RN right away. Wish there was something I could say, but I hope you do know that you have years and years of positive effects on lots of people because of your high standards and experience. I know there are plenty of your former co-workers who appreciate you every day.
One thing the first few posters didn't mention, was respect. In the area I work in LPN's aren't respected the same way RNs are. I was an lpn in a hospital for 3 years before becoming an rn. I wasn't treated as a nurse by most people. I got paid as an lpn, but for the most part I did a tech's job and got a tech's respect. I think it depends on where you work too. When I was a CNA I worked at a nursing home. There I did even know the "nurses" were mostly lpns for 5-6 months. LPN is a nice thing to have while you are finishing school or if you need to work to get through school, but I don't think it should be the end goal.
Just remembering that gut wrenching feeling I got when my patient woke from his anesthesia and saw me to say, "hey your a Little Play Nurse, (LPN) I want a Real Nurse (RN). Wow, that mentality still exists with in the population. Hmmm how might that have been brought on? Oops showing my resentment.
Just remembering that gut wrenching feeling I got when my patient woke from his anesthesia and saw me to say, "hey your a Little Play Nurse, (LPN) I want a Real Nurse (RN). Wow, that mentality still exists with in the population. Hmmm how might that have been brought on? Oops showing my resentment.
Michigan doesn't seem to have a defined difference in scope of practice between LPNs and RNs. At the hospital I'm currently doing RN clinicals at, I think the LPNs are not allowed to hang initial IVPB antibiotics (but they can hang the subsequent ones), hang blood, IV pushes (although, they do them and the RNs seem to turn the other way), and assessment stuff. That doesn't mean that they are any less competent--I've learned a great deal from the LPNS on the floor.
Michigan doesn't seem to have a defined difference in scope of practice between LPNs and RNs. At the hospital I'm currently doing RN clinicals at, I think the LPNs are not allowed to hang initial IVPB antibiotics (but they can hang the subsequent ones), hang blood, IV pushes (although, they do them and the RNs seem to turn the other way), and assessment stuff. That doesn't mean that they are any less competent--I've learned a great deal from the LPNS on the floor.
Interesting article related to what we are talking about. How the scope differs among states.
When there are shortages of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses often are suggested as substitutes for RNs, or as members of multidisciplinary care provision teams. The ways in which patient care can be allocated across employees depends on the legal scopes of practice of LPNs. In order to better understand the scopes of practice of LPNs, we obtained documentation from virtually every board that regulates the practice of practical and vocational nurses. Our underlying hypothesis was that there is variation in the “restrictiveness” of the scopes of practice for LPNs, and that this restrictiveness influences the role and flexibility of LPNs in work settings. The data show substantial variation in the restrictiveness of scopes of practice, but there also are complexities that require additional explication. As we reviewed the practice acts and scopes of practice information, we determined that there was also variation in the specificity of scopes of practice. Some practice acts and supporting documents are highly specific and others are very vague in describing the roles LPNs can play and the tasks they can complete. Thus, we found that practice acts were variable both in the way the States restricted or enlarged the roles of LPNs and in the specific or nonspecific language they used to detail the roles. We determined that in order to discuss the practice acts and related documentation reasonably, we would categorize the States based on both restrictiveness and specificity of the scopes of practice. To determine our ratings, we relied upon supporting documentation, key informant interviews, focus group data, Web based information, and telephone interviews (Appendix C).
I am the nurse manager in a long term care facility in Michigan, and yes I am a LPN. My management duties allow me to get paid above the rate of a RN actually.
In michigan, a LPN can do anything an RN can do, as long as they are trained.
As a LPN in a long term care facility here, I am able to do admissions, initiate IV's, hang IV bags, IVPG, give IVP medications, and same with administration through a PICC or central line.
I have been trained to D/C PICCS and Central Lines.
Our Director of Nursing must do competencies on us, to show we are capable.
So at least in the state of Michigan, I am able to practice at the level of a RN although I am a LPN,
How does one practice at the level of an rn without an rn license? Could that put your lpn license in jeopardy?
I'm so confused. Do you supervise the Rn's that are there?
FATKAT
37 Posts
I am currently an LPN working in an acute care hospital. I do not work to full scope due to the preference of my employer. Scope depends on where you work. The job of LPN's and RN's are similar but the RN takes the administrative and supervisory roles more and includes more critical thinking, where the LPN's job is more of a task oriented role of patient care. LPN's and RN's do assessments and collaborate in care - LPN's can't do IV meds etc. Although there is more schooling for RN's but don't forget the role of experience. As an LPN who has been practicing for almost 10years, I have seen more and done more than a new grad RN and many times have encountered new grads who are extremely lacking in skills/knowledge due to their lack of experience. Don't ever discount the value of experience.