What can an RN do than an LPN can't?

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jul 12, 2005

I am not an LPN or RN, but by basic reasearch and reading threads here I have gathered info that no it is not the same thing. I chose to pursue RN versus LPN because RN appealed more to me and what I wish to do later in life.

I don't think anyone is in the position to advice you to do one over the other because ultimately YOU are the only one who can decide what you want to do or want to achieve.

You can google RN duties versus LPN but I am sure soon you will get better info from nurses here who have done both and can advice you properly

Good luck, :)

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2005

She might have been talking about LTC, where in some cases the RN is the paper pusher.

RNs here start about making $5.00/hr more than LPNs. The job opportunities for new grad LPNs in hospitals is drying up here.

I'm an RN and haven't sat behind a desk since I started, even during my charge nurse years.

But to answer your questions, LPNs don't do the primary assessment, initiate care plans, or do charge. In reality on the floor they are doing the same things as the RN, just making much less doing it.

Go for the RN for the better pay and job oportunities and ignore this instructor. :)

(In nursing homes the roles are a bit different, and I can't tell you what they are. LPN is a valid career and definately an integral part of the nursing team, don't get me wrong. Many people choose to be and choose to stay LPNs and that's o.k. I just think your instructor is a little off base here.)

lady_jezebel · Jul 12, 2005

I started my CNA class last night, and it's being taught by a woman who's been an LPN for 40 years. When she found out that most of us in the class were going for an RN, she advised us that it was not worth it to get an RN, and that an LPN is just as good and they can do everything an RN can. She said if you want to sit at a desk all day and do paperwork, get your RN. Needless to say, I was confused because I thought there was a lot that LPN's can't do, but I'm also new to this so I'm not sure. Can anyone help? If I could cut my schooltime in half and save some money, I would get my LPN.
Thanks.

"sit at a desk all day and do paperwork"???? Boy, is she clueless. The nursing staff at any hospital consists mostly of RNs. Of course anyone can get a desk job if they want, but most RNs work at the bedside. Additionally, there is a high demand for RNs nationwide for just about anything we want to do (bedside nursing, research, teaching, etc...).

RobLPN · Jul 12, 2005

I started my CNA class last night, and it's being taught by a woman who's been an LPN for 40 years. When she found out that most of us in the class were going for an RN, she advised us that it was not worth it to get an RN, and that an LPN is just as good and they can do everything an RN can. She said if you want to sit at a desk all day and do paperwork, get your RN. Needless to say, I was confused because I thought there was a lot that LPN's can't do, but I'm also new to this so I'm not sure. Can anyone help? If I could cut my schooltime in half and save some money, I would get my LPN.
Thanks.

Sounds like your teacher has thing against RN. Being a RN by far has better opportunities and compensation.

I have more skills then many RN I work with, they often ask for my help, such as fising a A-line last nite, but still RN will always open more doors then LPN.

Maybe one day I'll get to school to get it. But my wife and I make great money, more then some RNs, so it's not priority.

ARNPsomeday · Jul 12, 2005

In reality on the floor they are doing the same things as the RN, just making much less doing it..

:uhoh21: Oh, no! Why does the title of LPN exist if they do the same things but are paid less, why on Earth, Tweety? Is there a historical reason? (I'm ignorant about this.) Perhaps years ago there used to be a clear distinction between the duties of both ?

I spoke to the coordinator for the LPN program at my community college. She does not recommend changing from RN to LPN. She says here too in South Florida LPNs are being phased out of hospitals. Oh, my. :stone

Will team nursing ever come back? Wouldn't it be the best arrangement for both patients and nurses? :crying2:

Chicklet2 · Jul 12, 2005

I'm currently finishing up my LPN program. I'm enjoying every minute of it. I have thought about going on to RN, but I see all the RN's just sitting at the desk or just giving out meds. They dont seem to take that extra bit of time and just sit with the patient and talk. It's like they have lost that bed side manner. An RN has more responsibility, more paper work to do and more education under their belt. The hospitals were we do our preceptor ship at say that LPN nursing students seem to have more nursing skills than the RN students. As an LPN you can take extra courses such as Orthepedics (casts), IV courses so u can start an IV just like an RN, Surgical courses to work in the OR and do the same job as an RN. I guess it's up to u whether u are committed to 3-4 yrs of school compared to 1-2 years. I honestly believe if u are doing it just for the pay raise you are doing it for all the wrong reasons. Good luck

Meachi42 · Jul 12, 2005

I have been a LPN for 20 years, and I have been accepted into an "advanced placement Nursing" program. I feel that I have as much ability as an RN, to do what ever type of nursing I choose, but some areas of employment don't feel the same. I feel that my clinical skills are as good if not better than some RNs. I work part time with Hospice and I want to become a patient care coordinator, so, I need to be an RN. We, will see...

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Jul 12, 2005

WHOOOO HOOOO WOW!! Well I am a LVN and love my job and career but, if you want to advance and go higher on the food chain you go to school and become a RN. As a LVN I can place IV's and do IV pushes, blah blah blah. but you are stuck in a dead end job. I cant go anywhere and do any type of managment or speciality. I have learned so much being a LVN, no regrets. But if you have the opportunity get the RN degree...

I started my CNA class last night, and it's being taught by a woman who's been an LPN for 40 years. When she found out that most of us in the class were going for an RN, she advised us that it was not worth it to get an RN, and that an LPN is just as good and they can do everything an RN can. She said if you want to sit at a desk all day and do paperwork, get your RN. Needless to say, I was confused because I thought there was a lot that LPN's can't do, but I'm also new to this so I'm not sure. Can anyone help? If I could cut my schooltime in half and save some money, I would get my LPN.
Thanks.

LPN01112005 · Jul 12, 2005

I think your instructor was way out of line giving out such "advice". She is only fueling the RN vs. LPN flame. In some settings, the LPN and RN do basically the same thing IF the RN is doing bedside care and the LPN is paid less than the RN they are working alongside, however, it can't be overlooked that the RN DOES have more education than the LPN. They have taken many more hours theory than we have. I think that as far as clinical experience goes in school, the LPN does have more clinical time and we are more "floor ready" upon graduation than most RN graduates. We are being basically trained on the job for the job that we will be doing, which is bedside nursing.

To answer your question: in GA, the LPN can't spike blood products for transfusion, however, we can and do monitor the infusion. We cannot draw blood from, push drugs through, or maintain a central line, we do not do the initial assessments (unless you are working LTC and a resident comes on a shift when no RN is on duty, which is rare, then you do it and an RN comes behind you to sign off on it), we do not initiate the care plan, however, we most certainly participate in the process. Also, LPN's must work under the supervision of a MD or RN. Now, in a lot of LTC facilities, the RN's work days, so the evening and night shift LPN's are not under the direct supervision of the RN, BUT there is an on-call RN at all times and yes, I have had to call my RN in the middle of the night to come out to the facility to give some IV push morphine when we were pushing through a central line. If I had wanted to get all huffy about it and whine that it was ridiculous, I could have, but I simply looked upon it as one of those things that their degree affords them that my diploma doesn't afford me.

I am not by any means trying to degrade the LPN as a lesser nurse, because I don't feel that way. I just think that we have to acknowledge that their is an educational difference that affords the RN more opportunities and more pay. Does it mean they should receive more respect? Certainly not, but I think the whole health care team deserves the same respect because each has their own job to do. Do I think there are RN's with attitudes out there that try to make us feel like we are worthless? yes I do, however, I have also seen some LPN's who get an attitude every time someone reminds them that a particular task isn't within their scope of practice, or they find out that the RN working along side them is making several dollars an hour more than they are. IMO, this is all just absurd.

I guess my point to this too long post is that we must seriously consider how we feel about our credentials as LPN's. If we feel like lesser nurses, then we will allow ourselves to be put down, and it will show in our performance and attitude at work. If, on the other hand, we feel good about what we do, and we are satisfied, then that will show through as well. I work in LTC where LPN's abound.....we ARE the nurses. I feel good about my job. I'm satisfied with my pay, and I don't aspire to work in any other specialty area, so, therefore, I doubt I'll continue my education for my degree. However, there are a couple nurses that work with me, who want to be in the ER or L&D and constantly complain about their lack of opportunities as LPN's. One is in the bridge program doing something about her situation, the other is just whining. They are not satisfied, and thus, they should continue on their educations until they are at a level that THEY RESPECT. Because, honestly, I think if you respect yourself and the job you do, you can't let someone else bring you down.

I'm a new nurse, and I can't tell you already the number of times I've had well meaning people ask me if I'm going to get my RN. My response is always the same....."I am satisfied right now, in LTC doing bedside care, if that changes, I'll consider it". Most of the time, their response is "that's great". My own personal physician asked me that question, and when I gave that response he said "I hope you are working at the the nursing home where I am the medical director", when I said I was, he said "I'm impressed" with a huge smile. A few days later, my DON told me he inquired about me on his next rounds. So, listen to me, you can get the respect you want and deserve as an LPN, you've just first got to have it for yourself.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jul 13, 2005

I'm currently finishing up my LPN program. I'm enjoying every minute of it. I have thought about going on to RN, but I see all the RN's just sitting at the desk or just giving out meds. They dont seem to take that extra bit of time and just sit with the patient and talk. It's like they have lost that bed side manner. An RN has more responsibility, more paper work to do and more education under their belt. The hospitals were we do our preceptor ship at say that LPN nursing students seem to have more nursing skills than the RN students. As an LPN you can take extra courses such as Orthepedics (casts), IV courses so u can start an IV just like an RN, Surgical courses to work in the OR and do the same job as an RN. I guess it's up to u whether u are committed to 3-4 yrs of school compared to 1-2 years. I honestly believe if u are doing it just for the pay raise you are doing it for all the wrong reasons. Good luck

But why "do things just like an RN does" and not get paid for it? Nothing wrong with switching from an LPN to an RN for the money. Get the pay you deserve. LPNs are horribly taken advantage of in the hospital setting, IN MY OPINION.

I think you are basing your opinion on RNs on appearances. "All I see is RNs sitting at the desk or just giving out meds" is a bit too simplistic for me to let go by without commenting. I could go on and on about about the RN role, but won't. But trust me when I say, where I work and in my practice we just don't sit around and pass meds.

Sigh, I only wish I had more time to spend talking with my patients. I talk with them too much as it is and I'm behind constantly because of it.

Of course, things could be different where you are.

I have to say, I worked with some LPN students last week and some BSN students. The LPN students were way ahead of the BSN students in their hands on skills and were awesome. I'll give you that much. (But the BSN's head to toe assessment skills were awesome).

anita2812 · Jul 14, 2005

Well as important as LPN's are, RNS can do more..For example only RN's can give IV push medicines, only RN's can work in L&D here (Texas), as well as the NICU here.Here they start LVN's off at 14/hr and RNS at 22/hr.BUt then again, if you work at LTC you will notice there isnt much of a difference and the pay is good. As a GVN at a LTC I am starting off at 18/hr and when I graduate as an RN in Fall they will be starting me off at 25.50..... :rolleyes: