People used to ask me why I "settled" and went to a vocational school to become an LPN, instead of going to a traditional college and becoming a "real nurse." I always had a list of potential answers running through my mind when that happened:
✔️ I do the exact same thing an RN does at my job with absolutely no variation.
✔️ I train both new grad RN's and BSN's, and have discovered that in my field, experience and competence are more valuable than the initials at the end of my name.
✔️ I work with babies, which is pretty damn cool (turns out I like them better than many adults).
✔️ I have an incredibly flexible schedule that allows me to continue my education.
✔️ The pay is much, much better than when I was the drive-thru girl at Taco Bell.
✔️ I took on 11 months of school and no debt to make sure nursing was what I wanted, rather than 2-3 years and a boatload of loans.
✔️ This Microbiology test isn't hard. My six-month old vent-dependent patient went into respiratory distress last night, and I guided them through it. That was tough. I eat micro exams for breakfast!
✔️ Vocational school helped me develop study/homework skills, so that when I entered traditional college, I got easy A's.
✔️ In Honors classes revolving around theory, I could speak about practical application in real life situations.
✔️ When scholarship time rolled around, I wasn't simply a student who wished to change the world. I was already actively changing the world.
So many students apply to awards because of who they want to be, whereas I could apply because of who I already am. When I had to write numerous essays, personal statements, and narratives about myself and my future dreams, I had so many compelling stories to tell about my job as an LPN. When asked about community service, volunteer work, or past experience performing good deeds for others, I got the opportunity to explain how such things weren't simply extracurriculars to me, but rather an integral part of my day to day life as an LPN.
Those people who used to ask me why I "settled" and went to a vocational school to become an LPN, instead of going to a traditional college and becoming a "real nurse?" These days, I don't need to tell them anything. Because I was awarded $124,500 dollars to complete my bachelor's degree, and $200,000 dollars for any graduate school I choose. Not because I was a traditional student (I came from one of those schools, a vocational school for people who weren't "good enough" for regular college). Not because I did well in high school (I dropped out at 15). Not because I was cookie cutter (I've got a dirty mouth, a sarcastic streak a mile wide, and I wear jeans and red converse to business casual events). Not because I had special advantages (as an older student, I had to fight for every opportunity, knock on many doors, and annoy professors into letting me take on special projects). I received all of this because of my work as an LPN and the way it made me stand out among other students when I transitioned back into traditional college.
So don't let anyone tell you this is a road for people who "settle" or don't have what it takes to hack it at a "real" college. You have no idea where an LPN license will lead you, or the impact you will have on the world because of it.
There is no state in which LPNs and RNs have the same scope of practice. And in each state it goes beyond one or two things such as hanging blood.
The differences in scope between LPNs and RNs have everything to do with the amount of formal education they receive. It doesn't mean that LPNs are ignorant, it doesn't mean all RNs are intelligent, it isn't about being "better than" someone else. It IS about not taking actions or interventions for which one has not not been OFFICIALLY educated or trained. If LPNs are doing the EXACT same thing as RNs in a given facility, it's because the RNs are not performing every action which is within their scope, not that the LPNs' scope is identical to that of an RN. OR it may be that the LPN is acting out of their scope. They absolutely are NOT identical, and pointing this out is simply statement of fact, not insult. Similarly, the scope of advanced practice nurses are not the same as that of an RN.
Read through your Nurse Practice Act. You may be surprised to see some of the differences between these scopes, and you may find that you or LPNs in your area are actually acting in violation of some of these legal limits. Just because something is being done does not mean that the law is being followed.
I think you're strongly mistaken in the message I was sending. At no point did I state that the two have the same scope of practice. To the contrary, I stated they absolutely do NOT have the same scope of practice. Please re-read my post.
There is no state in which LPNs and RNs have the same scope of practice. And in each state it goes beyond one or two things such as hanging blood.
The differences in scope between LPNs and RNs have everything to do with the amount of formal education they receive. It doesn't mean that LPNs are ignorant, it doesn't mean all RNs are intelligent, it isn't about being "better than" someone else. It IS about not taking actions or interventions for which one has not not been OFFICIALLY educated or trained. If LPNs are doing the EXACT same thing as RNs in a given facility, it's because the RNs are not performing every action which is within their scope, not that the LPNs' scope is identical to that of an RN. OR it may be that the LPN is acting out of their scope. They absolutely are NOT identical, and pointing this out is simply statement of fact, not insult. Similarly, the scope of advanced practice nurses are not the same as that of an RN.
Read through your Nurse Practice Act. You may be surprised to see some of the differences between these scopes, and you may find that you or LPNs in your area are actually acting in violation of some of these legal limits. Just because something is being done does not mean that the law is being followed.
Lawd Jesus we talking about RNs vs APRNs now.
The only difference between the scope of practice of a LPN and RN is hanging blood in Florida. Lets not go into the whole LPNs don't know the why of doing each task either. Girl bye.
I think you're strongly mistaken in the message I was sending. At no point did I state that the two have he same point of practice. To the contrary, I stated they absolutely do NOT have the same scope of practice. Please re-read my post.
Actually, I was just jumping off your post, not trying to indicate that you said otherwise. Sorry for the poor expression of my thoughts!
I have my state nurses act printed in my home. In my state LPNs are taught in their program the why of certain tasks and also how to assess. assessments are held warranted and not just the RNs job. Now depending on the individual facility guidelines, the RN may be the one to do certain tasks, but it is 100% legal for a LPN to do. So as a review, practical nurses in my state can't delegate to a RN or:
(1) Aspects of intravenous therapy which are outside the scope of practice of the licensed practical nurse unless under the direct supervision of the registered professional nurse or physician and which shall not be performed or initiated by licensed practical nurses without direct supervision include the following:
(a) Initiation of blood and blood products;
(b) Initiation or administration of cancer chemotherapy;
(d) Initiation or administration of investigational drugs;
(e) Mixing IV solution;
(f) IV pushes, except heparin flushes and saline flushes.
(2) Although this rule limits the scope of licensed practical nurse practice, it is appropriate for licensed practical nurses to care for patients receiving such therapy. Specific Authority 456.013(2), 490.004(4) FS. Law Implemented 456.013(2) FS. History–New 1-16-91, Formerly 21O21.003, 61F7-12.003, 59S-12.003, Amended 4-9-98.
I have my state nurses act printed in my home. In my state LPNs are taught in their program the why of certain tasks and also how to assess. assessments are held warranted and not just the RNs job. Now depending on the individual facility guidelines, the RN may be the one to do certain tasks, but it is 100% legal for a LPN to do. So as a review, practical nurses in my state can't delegate to a RN or:
(1) Aspects of intravenous therapy which are outside the scope of practice of the licensed practical nurse unless under the direct supervision of the registered professional nurse or physician and which shall not be performed or initiated by licensed practical nurses without direct supervision include the following:
(a) Initiation of blood and blood products;
(b) Initiation or administration of cancer chemotherapy;
(d) Initiation or administration of investigational drugs;
(e) Mixing IV solution;
(f) IV pushes, except heparin flushes and saline flushes.
(2) Although this rule limits the scope of licensed practical nurse practice, it is appropriate for licensed practical nurses to care for patients receiving such therapy. Specific Authority 456.013(2), 490.004(4) FS. Law Implemented 456.013(2) FS. History–New 1-16-91, Formerly 21O21.003, 61F7-12.003, 59S-12.003, Amended 4-9-98.
So the only difference is some IV limitations constitute for the whole "LPNSarenotlikemecauseimaRN" tantrum? Yeah okay.
Nope.
Did you even read the statute that you posted? I value LPN's I used to be one for a long time. An RN can function in the role as an LPN but a LPN cannot function in the role of an RN...just as an RN can't function as a PA or M.D. There is no high horse here...it is the stipulations of the board of nursing, so if you are disgruntled then take it up with them.
Did you even read the statute that you posted? I value LPN's I used to be one for a long time. An RN can function in the role as an LPN but a LPN cannot function in the role of an RN...just as an RN can't function as a PA or M.D. There is no high horse here...it is the stipulations of the board of nursing, so if you are disgruntled then take it up with them.
Obviously YOU didn't read it. The difference in my state is the blood products. Are you not comprehending that at all? Lemme reiterate, the ONLY difference is the blood products in my state. You and everyone else here that is down playing lpns totally sitting up on that high horse.
I'm not disgruntled whatsoever, I'm tired of the superiority complexes. You obviously don't value LPNs as you say considering you don't give them what they deserve ...respect. If you did, you wouldn't be here downing them. Hell my county is one of the few that still has practical nurses in the hospital.
These aspects are outside the scope of practice of the LPN unless under the direct supervision of theRN or physician and shall not be performed or initiated by LPNs without direct supervision:
• Initiation of blood and blood products
• Initiation or administration of cancer chemotherapy
• Initiation of plasma expanders
• Initiation or administration of investigational drugs
• Mixing IV solution
• IV pushes, except heparin flushes and saline flushes
Although this rule limits the scope of LPN practice, it is appropriate for LPNs to care for patientsreceiving such therapy.(2012 Florida Administrative Codes, 64B9-12.003)
What about LPNs who lack Board-approved training in IV therapy?
LPNs who have completed a Board-approved prelicensure practical nursing education program,professional nursing students who qualify as graduate practical nurses, or LPNs who have notcompleted the specified course under Rule 64B9-12.005, F.A.C., may engage in a limited scope ofintravenous therapy
This scope includes:
• Performing calculation and adjusting flow rate
• Observing and reporting subjective and objective signs of adverse reactions to IV administration
• Inspecting insertion sites, changing dressings, and removing intravenous needles or cathetersfrom peripheral veins
• Hanging bags or bottles of hydrating fluid(2012 Florida Administrative Codes 64B9-12.004)
CLEARLY, the scope is different between LPN and RN. This isn't about "better" or "worse," "superior" or "inferior." It's nothing more than the extent of formal education and what that means in practical terms. I've known LPNs who had so much experience and went out of their way to get INFORMAL education that gave them the knowledge base of many RNs. But legally, the scope is different. I have also known experienced ICU nurses who could predict with 100% accuracy the meds to be prescribed for any given cardiac problem. Their scope, however, prevents them from actually ordering those medications. It has nothing to do with the intelligence of the RN vs. the MD, or anything of that nature. It is about the FORMAL education of those involved and how that legally translates into "scope."
Did you say LPN and RN does the same work? I think you are a bit confuse about your job description.
when I saw your caption "I wanna know what an LPN License can get you " I was attracted to the article only to be shocked by what you have written. Pls LPN is not the same as RN.
I was once on a night duty with a hyperactive LPN and she was deluded that because she's been around for sometime she knows how to do things. She gave a wrong dosage of a drug through a wrong route, from that moment she's become very humble. LPNs are to assist an RN don't get it twisted.
Try and pursue RN degree if you get the opportunity. Thanks
Right, because RNs are somehow above making such med errors...
nynursey_
642 Posts
I think you're strongly mistaken in the message I was sending. At no point did I state that the two have the same scope of practice. To the contrary, I stated they absolutely do NOT have the same scope of practice. Please re-read my post.